The Hoteliers Who Went to Sea

When Adrien Portier and Dimitri Tran took on the ownership of Vela, the 50 meter sailing yacht now among the most sought after charters in Indonesia, they were not setting out to add one more boat to the fleet lists. They wanted to rethink what a luxury charter in these waters could be. In a long conversation with us, they talk about ownership, design, and the hotel thinking that made her different.

A Vision Born at Anchor

The two met more than a decade ago while developing Nirjhara, the Bali hotel that holds a Michelin Key, and it was a charter in Komodo that first pulled them toward the water. Two years later, cruising Raja Ampat, the idea took shape.

“We were in one of the most beautiful places in the world, visiting other boats, and realized there was a slight mismatch between the high charter rates and the experience provided. Some of these boats were charging fairly high rates, over $13,000 per night, but didn’t necessarily offer a superyacht-level experience in terms of service, amenities, and design,” recalls Dimitri.

The founding sketch is already Indonesian folklore. “On our way back from Raja Ampat, during a layover in Makassar, we sketched out an initial concept on a piece of paper at a Starbucks – just a few horizontal lines for the decks, trying to visualize our ideal boat,” says Dimitri. Naval architects and boatbuilders followed. The rest is her story.

Hotel Thinking, Taken to Sea

Where most owners design a yacht around personal taste, the pair worked from the guest's chair backward. “We asked ourselves: ‘What would a guest expect from a luxury charter experience? What would surprise and delight them?’ We designed Vela with that in mind, rather than just building our dream yacht,” says Dimitri. Adrien puts the transfer more simply: “The easiest part of the process was to transfer our attention to detail and service standards to Vela.”

Modern Indonesia, Not Museum Indonesia

The interiors make the argument. Many boats in these waters share one aesthetic: dark wood, carvings, antiques. Vela went the other way without leaving Indonesia behind.

“We wanted to highlight the contemporary side of Indonesia. We collaborated with Balinese and Javanese artisans to create fabrics, ceramics, and batik-inspired designs with a modern twist. We also sourced contemporary Indonesian artworks from top galleries in Jakarta and Bali, showcasing Indonesia’s vibrant, young artistic scene,” explains Adrien.

The brief ran through every fitting. “We offer all the luxury amenities charter guests expect – marine air conditioning, high-end furnishings, Hermes fabrics, designer lighting and fittings, and spa-like bathrooms – while still maintaining an authentic Indonesian aesthetic,” Dimitri adds. The result belongs to its landscape in a way imported yachts never quite manage.

The Luxury of Being Alone

Their guests are seasoned travelers who want adventure without surrendering comfort, and the owners design the cruising around a feeling cities cannot sell. “The sense of solitude is special, especially if you’re used to living in a city in the U.S. or Europe, where you’re constantly surrounded by people and noise. Getting to be alone in such a remote place is an incredible experience,” says Adrien.

The signature moments are engineered with hotel precision: a sunset tender run with a cocktail made on the spot by the on board mixologist, a second tender following with crew and equipment so the drink arrives perfect against the colors of the sky.

Details You Cannot See From a Brochure

The water toys are all aboard, jet skis to SeaBobs, but the owners save their pride for smaller things. “Our team curates craft food and beverage experiences, including daily Indonesian juices or Jamu concoctions served at the perfect moment — that’s something we’re particularly proud of,” says Dimitri. Even the coffee changes with the route, so guests taste the islands they are sailing through. Two of her crew come from Moyo Island, and guide guests through corners of it visitors never find.

The Crew Is the Yacht

Ask the owners what they got most right and neither points at the joinery. They hired for service the way a great hotel does, and several of the crew came from land. “Our head steward spent 27 years at Amanwana, a reference point for luxury service in Indonesia. Our bartender worked at a top beach club in Bali known for its experimental cocktails. Our dive instructor had 25 years of experience working with Aman,” explains Dimitri.

By her second season she already carried repeat bookings, which is the only statistic hoteliers really trust. “Charter guests come for the design and amenities, but they return because of the experience,” adds Adrien. “When the yacht is stunning and the crew is exceptional, that’s what creates loyal guests.”

The Cherry on Top

For the pair, the yacht is a doorway, not a destination. Dimitri closes the conversation the way every good host does, by pointing past himself: “Indonesia is already an incredible destination. Vela is just the cherry on top.”

Vela sails Komodo and Raja Ampat in season, and the galley she carries earned its own chapter in The Chef's Table at Sea. Share your preferred dates and we will gladly confirm availability.