Orient Express Sailing Yachts and Savoir: Crafting Exceptional Sleep at Sea

The finest journeys are shaped by the people behind them. Every thoughtful detail, from the design of the interiors to the quality of a night's sleep, plays a part in creating an experience that stays with guests long after they return home. For Orient Express Sailing Yachts, that meant giving as much thought to ensuring guests enjoy a truly restorative night's sleep as to every other aspect of life on board.

As one of the world's leading makers of handcrafted beds, Savoir was chosen by architect and Artistic Director of Orient Express, Maxime d'Angeac, to create custom bed sets for the guest suites aboard Orient Express Sailing Yachts. It's a meeting of two houses that share a respect for heritage, craftsmanship and thoughtful design, and a belief that true luxury lies in beautifully made things.

A close-up low-angle view of the orient express sailing yacht mast and rigging against a bright blue sky, with part of the dark blue and white vessel deck visible at the bottom.

A meeting of craftsmanship and design

Savoir's involvement began in Paris, where our team met Maxime d'Angeac, whose vision has shaped the yacht's interiors. The relationship was strengthened through Luxe d'Intérieur, a collective of French interior brands united by a shared commitment to craftsmanship, custom design and artisanal expertise.

Maxime d'Angeac and the team behind Orient Express Sailing Yachts have brought together some of Europe's finest makers to realise their vision. More than 60 artisans from across Europe have contributed their expertise, creating interiors where every material and finish has been chosen with care.

A Savoir craftsman laying horse hair on a mattress

A Savoir craftsman sewing a mattress's edge with a needle and thread.

Selecting the perfect handcrafted bed

Choosing the beds was an equally thoughtful process. In spring 2024, Maxime d'Angeac and members of his team visited Savoir's Paris showroom to experience a selection of handcrafted bed sets.

After trying each model, they selected the Nº3 bed set for the Signature Suites. For the yacht's most exclusive Penthouse Suites, they chose the more luxurious Nº2, creating a subtle distinction while maintaining the same high standards of comfort.

It was a collaborative process involving designers, brand specialists and sleep experts, all working towards the same goal: ensuring every guest enjoys deeply restorative sleep at sea.

Nº3 - The Superior

Nearly two weeks of skilled handcrafting and masses of the finest natural breathable materials go into our soft and sumptuous Nº3 bed.

Nº2 - The Icon

Commissioned for the Savoy hotel in 1905, the Nº2 is a masterclass in craftsmanship, comfort and style, taking over 80 hours to handcraft.

Horse Tail & Wool Topper

Our best-selling luxury topper, carefully crafted with masses of loose horse tail hair and soft sheep’s wool.

Why a complete sleep system matters

Perhaps the most significant decision was to specify complete Savoir bed sets rather than mattresses alone.

On many yachts and cruise ships, only the mattress is installed. Orient Express Sailing Yachts chose a different approach, recognising that exceptional sleep relies on an entire sleep system working in harmony.

Each guest bed includes Savoir's handcrafted box spring base, mattress and signature hand-teased horsetail topper. The sprung base provides responsive support and lasting comfort, while the topper creates the weightless sensation guests often describe as sleeping on a cloud. Together, they deliver the depth of comfort for which Savoir is known.

Nº3 Mattress

The Superior

Our dreamily deep Nº3 mattress is a prime example of the quality for which we are famed.

Explore the Nº3

Designed for life at sea

Every bed was tailored to suit the unique demands of life on board. Custom base heights, leg dimensions and bed configurations ensured each one integrated seamlessly into the suite design while delivering the comfort and support expected from a Savoir bed.

While the headboards and fabric palette were conceived by Maxime d'Angeac, Savoir upholstered every box spring base in Pierre Frey fabrics to complement the yacht's interiors.

Beds for an extraordinary voyage

In total, Savoir handcrafted 59 custom bed sets for Orient Express Sailing Yachts. Every bed is made in a firm tension and finished with our Horse Tail and Wool topper, filled with masses of loose, hand-teased horsetail wrapped in soft, durable sheep's wool and hand-tufted into Savoir's signature Trellis ticking.

The collaboration reflects the values shared by both brands: timeless design, meticulous craftsmanship and an unwavering commitment to creating memorable experiences.

Whether in a private residence, a world-renowned hotel or aboard one of the world's most anticipated luxury sailing yachts, Savoir believes every remarkable journey begins and ends with a great night's sleep.

To discover more about the exceptional world of Savoir yachts, please visit our yacht page. Our team would be delighted to hear about your design aspirations and help bring your vision to life.