PHOTO: The cabins have been spruced up on the luxury hotel barge Renaissance. (Courtesy of European Waterways)
European Waterways has invested more than $600,000 in upgrades on its hotel barges for the 2015 season.
The company is working with British designer Marion Falchi on interior renovations of several hotel barges, including new floors, upholstery, and general décor for La Belle Époque's cabin area. The Renaissance has also been equipped with new cabins, bathrooms, and bedding.
The hotel barges have also been fitted with silent night generators to avoid bothering guests when plug-in power is not available. As part of the upgrades, onboard Wi-Fi also has been enhanced.
European Waterways is also making other onboard improvements, providing international English-language newspapers on all barges, and having at least one cooking demonstration on each cruise.
The company will expand its fleet in April 2016 with the addition of the double-decker eight-passenger Finesse. The Finesse will cruise Southern Burgundy from St-Jean-de-Losne to Montchanin, an area not currently offered by European Waterways. Fares range from $7,000 to $7,500 per person.
The Finesse will have panoramic windows, and very spacious cabins of approximately 260 square feet. It will also have a sun deck, a spa pool, touring bikes, and Wi-Fi.
The Finesse will cruise down the Saône River and the Canal du Centre through the Burgundy vineyards, and past the famed wine village of Santenay. The cruise will also feature a wine tasting in Beaune, and a private lunch prepared by a Michelin chef at the Chateau de Bouchard Pere et Fils Orangery. A visit to Chateau de Gemolles, home of the Dukes of Burgundy, is also on the itinerary.
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