European Waterways announces fleet-wide upgrades to luxury hotel barges

Hotel barge cruise specialist European Waterways has announced the completion of a £500,000 upgrade and refurbishment across its fleet ahead of its 2018 season launch.  

The upgrades address every aspect of the hotel barges, suitable for smaller groups, from the dining, entertainment and sleeping areas, as well as the off-shore transportation of its guests. 

According to managing director Derek Banks, the company’s upgrades always begin with a thorough inspection and repair of all its vessels to ensure they operate smoothly and quietly. 

Banks continued: “It’s the small details that make the difference between a good vacation and a great one”. 

The upgrades

The company’s latest upgrades include a complete redesign of the saloon for the 12-passenger L’Impressionniste hotel barge, which cruises Southern Burgundy, France. The hotel barge also received a new staircase, bar area and an oval dining table to help create more space and seating. 

The L’Art de Vivre, cruising Northern Burgundy, was upgraded with new bathrooms, while the Anjodi on the Canal du Midi, was fitted with a new hardwood sundeck to complement a new saloon last year. Deck furniture has also been upgraded across many of the vessels.

European Waterways’ luxury hotel barges in Scotland, which cruise Loch Ness and the Great Glen between Inverness and Fort William on the Caledonian Canal, have been spruced up for the new season too. 

The Scottish Highlander, whose subtle use of tartan furnishing recalls a comfortable country house, has been improved with a new guest entrance and easier access. Meanwhile, the elegant Spirit of Scotland, the most recent addition to the fleet, has received a new Jacuzzi, new curtains, carpets and improved interior lighting. 

For more information, visit www.europeanwaterways.com.