When a vessel transcends restoration and reemerges as a work of art, it ceases to be a yacht and becomes a symbol of rebirth. The 52-metre SOLAFIDE, built by Italian shipyard Benetti in 1995, has achieved precisely that. Following an extraordinary refit completed in 2024, she now sails as a living testament to craftsmanship, design mastery and the eternal allure of Italian maritime elegance. Her transformation was honoured with the prestigious Best Refit title at the International Superyacht Society’s Design and Leadership Awards, a moment that signalled not only a technical triumph, but the return of an icon.
A Legacy Reimagined
In the world of luxury yachts, few names command the respect of Benetti. Known for its sculptural lines and understated grandeur, the shipyard has spent over a century shaping vessels that blend power with poetry. SOLAFIDE was originally crafted in that spirit, a motor yacht built for grace, endurance, and timeless beauty. Yet as the tides of luxury evolved, so too did the expectations of those who live and travel by the sea. The refit of SOLAFIDE became an opportunity not to rewrite her story, but to reawaken it.
At the heart of this transformation was a single vision: to bridge the elegance of Benetti’s heritage with the sensibilities of modern living. What emerged is a yacht that breathes new life into the art of seafaring, where each curve, texture and light source speaks of quiet perfection.
The Art of Transformation
The refit was an undertaking of rare devotion. Over twelve months, designers, engineers and artisans came together to reinterpret her interiors, restore her structure and rejuvenate her spirit. The project, led by Giulia Grassi of Supernova Design Studio in collaboration with Tommaso Spadolini, balanced reverence and innovation in equal measure. Their work did not erase history; it celebrated it.
Step aboard today, and SOLAFIDE unveils a world of warmth and refinement. The main salon glows with soft natural light that pours through enlarged windows, illuminating a palette of ivory and ash wood tones. Polished bronze accents shimmer like sunlight on the sea, while bespoke furnishings, sculptural, tactile, and inviting, create an atmosphere of modern serenity. A backlit onyx wall defines the dining area, turning evening meals into glowing rituals of indulgence. Every surface whispers of craftsmanship, yet never shouts for attention. The effect is effortless elegance, the hallmark of true luxury.
Above, the sun deck invites languid afternoons and champagne-drenched sunsets. Teak floors stretch beneath open skies, and a circular Jacuzzi reflects the endless blue of the horizon. The spaces are not simply designed for leisure; they are choreographed for experience, from the secluded reading corner to the sweeping aft terrace that folds open to the sea. Each element encourages connection: to the ocean, to the breeze, and to the pure rhythm of escape.
Beneath the beauty lies precision. The refit extended beyond aesthetics, rejuvenating the yacht’s mechanical heart with rebuilt engines, advanced stabilisers and new-generation electrical systems. What the guest experiences as tranquillity is, in truth, the result of impeccable engineering. SOLAFIDE sails smoother, quieter and more confidently than ever before, a perfect equilibrium between motion and stillness.
The Glory of Recognition
When the International Superyacht Society named SOLAFIDE the Best Refit of 2024, it was a recognition that reverberated through the maritime world. The award, marking the Society’s thirty-fifth anniversary, is among the most respected distinctions in the industry. To receive it is to be acknowledged not only for beauty, but for mastery, for achieving that elusive harmony between legacy and innovation.
For SOLAFIDE, the award crowned an ambitious vision: to demonstrate that a yacht built in another era can once again stand at the forefront of modern luxury. In her renewed form, she embodies what discerning travellers and owners increasingly seek: a blend of provenance, sustainability, and artistry. In an age where everything can be replaced, SOLAFIDE proves that true luxury lies in restoration, not reinvention.
A Journey for the Senses
The yacht’s six cabins, including a new VIP suite, accommodate up to twelve guests in an embrace of quiet opulence. The master suite stretches across the forward deck, where morning light falls gently through panoramic windows, and the ocean seems to breathe with the room itself. Polished oak panels, fine Italian linens, and contemporary artworks lend the interiors an ambience that is both serene and sensuous.
Each cabin feels like a sanctuary, carefully composed for comfort and privacy. Soft carpets cushion every step, while discreet lighting outlines architectural form. It is not extravagance that defines SOLAFIDE, but balance, that rare ability to be both indulgent and intimate.
Beyond the interiors, the decks are a symphony of movement and stillness. Guests may dive into turquoise waters from the extended swim platform, explore hidden coves by paddleboard, or skim the surface on jet skis and Seabobs. Later, they may return for twilight dining beneath the stars, crystal glasses catching the reflection of passing constellations. Such moments are what transform luxury from an object into an emotion.
A Testament to Timelessness
The rebirth of SOLAFIDE offers a quiet lesson in what it means to endure. In the world of superyachts, where innovation often races ahead of heritage, her story is a reminder that true luxury thrives not in novelty but in authenticity. Each detail of her refit carries the touch of human artistry, a commitment to quality that transcends trends.
Her award-winning transformation also speaks to a broader movement within luxury culture. Around the world, collectors and connoisseurs are rediscovering the beauty of restoration: the idea that history, when cared for, can be infinitely contemporary. SOLAFIDE embodies that philosophy upon the water. She is not simply a yacht reborn, but a celebration of legacy itself.
The Poetry of the Sea
To witness SOLAFIDE underway is to understand the poetry that great craftsmanship can evoke. Her hull cuts through the waves with regal assurance; her decks gleam with quiet pride. Yet there is something almost human in her presence, the sense of a soul that has lived, rested, and returned more radiant than before.
In every journey she undertakes, SOLAFIDE carries more than passengers. She carries a narrative of endurance and artistry, of Italian design excellence meeting the eternal allure of the sea. For those who step aboard, she offers more than passage; she offers perspective.
And perhaps that is why SOLAFIDE resonates so deeply with the world of refined luxury. She is proof that perfection does not emerge from the new, but from the beautifully renewed. Her story, gilded now by her international award, is one of elegance rediscovered and beauty restored.
In an age defined by speed and change, SOLAFIDE invites us to slow down, to appreciate craftsmanship and continuity. Beneath the Mediterranean sun or along the Amalfi coast, she glides not merely through water, but through time itself, a vessel where heritage, design and serenity converge in one eternal line of grace.
Written by: Linh Giang Nguyen
Published on: 6th November 2025