Savoir Faire Hotel Barge – Facts and Staterooms
Savoir Faire Hotel Barge – Facts and Staterooms
Savoir Faire Hotel Barge – Facts and Staterooms
Savoir Faire is individually owned and operated by Captain Chris Bennett. Over the past 20 years Chris gained extensive experience on the waterways of England, France, Belgium and Holland, and then in 1999 started operating a successful hotel barge in Burgundy prior to Savoir Faire.
Savoir Faire Hotel Barge Cruise in Holland
Savoir Faire Barge Facts:
- Built 1932 in Belgium
- Named Etoile de Champagne
- Originally a grain transport barge
- Carried allied troops in WWII
- 1979 rebuilt and refurbished as a hotel barge
- 2005 refurbished into a luxury hotel barge and renamed Savoir Faire
- Refitted in 2005, 2006 and 2011
Savoir Faire Hotel Barge Cruise in Holland
Savoir Faire Barge Size:
- 132 feet long
- 16.5 feet wide
- 1.45 meter draft
- 4.25 air draft
- Main engine: 175 HP
- Generators: 2
- Electricity: 220V and 110 V outlets in staterooms
- Fuel Capacity: 8,000 liters
- Water Capacity: 10,000 liters
- Speed: 12-14 knots
Savoir Faire – Espresso Machine
Savoir Faire Facilities:
- Two indoor decks (cabins below, with salon, lounge, dining on upper level) – with air-conditioning and central heating
- Salon – Large windows for enjoying the views as you cruise (one of the best barges we’ve experienced for viewing the outside while seated inside
- Dining area – Mahogany paneled with Wedgewood china and fine crystal and Christofle silverware
- Cocktail lounge with a bar – Finished in mahogany, teak and brass – good selection of spirits, a few beers and a good wine selection. Large windows for viewing the scenery as you cruise or when moored.
- Decorated with antiques, paintings and new original works of art – many by Captain Chris
- Upright piano – (not used by our group – no ivory ticklers amongst us)
- 6 staterooms accommodate up to 12 passengers – either twin or double bed configuration (twin gives more room for moving about cabin)
- Two outdoor decks: Forward lower sundeck and upper deck observation area at rear of barge
8-Passenger Mini Van Used by Savoir Faire
Savoir Faire Amenities:
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Air-conditioned mini vans (2 VW rental vans with 8 passenger seats during our trip)
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12 bicycles for passenger use – European fold-up style (nobody used them on our trip – Holland itinerary not that conducive to biking). 4 bikes for small kids with kids bike helmets.
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Internet – (no WIFI – laptop available for passenger use but nobody did)
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Board games – Poker chips game in bar area. A built-in chest chokerblock full of board games – Monopoly, Taboo, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, 500 piece jigsaw puzzle.
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Library – loads of books around the barge for passengers to enjoy – paperback and hardback
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DVD selection – large range (nobody used them) – Flatscreen TV for DVD use in each cabin to be used with headphones (2 sets per cabin so not to disturb neighbours). Wide array of choices from Harvey to Gladiator.
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CD Player in cocktail lounge/bar area – wide range of CDs for every taste
Savoir Faire Hotel Barge Cruise in Holland
Savoir Faire Staterooms:
- 6 outside staterooms on the lower deck
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All cabins have two twin beds that can be made into a queen bed – two pillows and comforter per bed
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Twin beds are 31.5 in. wide by 79 in long; queen bed is 63 in. wide by 79 in. long.
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Average stateroom ceiling height is 6 ft. 8 in.
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Stateroom 1: 142 sq. ft. with private bathroom (has porthole window) and a porthole window that opens in the stateroom.
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Staterooms 2 – 6: 116 sq. ft. all have private split bathrooms and a porthole window that opens in the bedroom area.
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Split bathrooms are separate toilet with sink, and shower rooms with sink (small clothes drying rack in shower room – folds out as needed)
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Storage – under bed, 2 closets with hanging space and shelving
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Private safe in each stateroom – key locking system
Savoir Faire Hotel Barge Cruise in Holland
Savoir Faire Stateroom Amenities:
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Stateroom bathrooms feature: liquid hand soap, combination liquid hair/body gel and hairdryer (bring your own hand/body lotion)
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Plush bathroom towels – hand towel, bath towel, facecloth
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Screen with DVD player and 2 sets of headphones
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220 volt European and 110 volt US outlets
Savoir Faire Hotel Barge Cruise in Holland
Savoir Faire Smoking Policy:
- No indoor smoking is permitted
- Designated outdoor deck smoking area away from fellow passengers
Savoir Faire Crew:
Owner and Captain Chris Bennett is in charge of 5 English-speaking crew
Savoir Faire Deck Plan:
Savoir Faire Deck Plan
Continue Reading WAVEJourney’s Savoir Faire Cruise in Holland Review:
If You Go:
- CanalBargeCruises.com – The canal barge cruise experts
Notes: WAVEJourney were guests of Savoir Faire in Holland from April 21 to April 27, 2013. Read our full disclosure statement for more details.
