Boatel promises five-star luxury on the Murray

RIVER Dream Boatels has delivered a new level of luxury to Murray River cruising with its first five-star houseboat launched earlier this year.

The product of husband and wife architect team (and houseboat holiday fans) Paul and Susan Pruszinski, the Boatel represents a new concept in river holidays.

The Pruszinskis have completely reworked traditional boat design to come up with a user-friendly vessel that is more five-star hotel than houseboat.

At first glance its obvious we have something very different here. The Boatel looks nothing like a houseboat, rather a large floating conservatory.

Its great height and all glass exterior provide uninterrupted views of the beautiful Murray landscape; its shallow draught and light weight – some 150 to 20 tonnes less than

other two storey houseboats – makes it very manoeuvrable.

Interiors are reminiscent of a hip Sydney hotel and the similarities between the two are striking.

The five, large downstairs bedrooms feature especially designed, super-comfortable king size beds (with luxurious duvets and squishy pillows), walk-in robes, glass doors to the deck and five star ensuite bathrooms with power showers, full length mirrors, cherry wood detailing and fluffy white towels. (One room has a full size bath).

Upstairs the huge open plan living area features groovy bar, sumptuous sofas, large dining area, to-die-for kitchen and pull down movie screen with surround sound (useful for corporate presentations).

Everything is controlled from a small, futuristic command centre

(fish finders, navigators, push button blinds, light dimmers and so on) and the vessel is easy to drive – a half hour’s lesson is all it takes.

The Boatel is proving extremely popular with meeting planners as it provides the ideal “away from it all” venue for management groups. River Dream Boatels can provide a chef and fully provision the vessel on request.

Likewise the company can tailor packages for leisure travellers featuring transfers, accommodation and sightseeing.

The latest package offer (valid to March 31 2003) is priced from $685 per person twin share (based on a minimum 10 passengers) and features limousine transfer to Franklin Central Apartments, overnight accommodation, mini-bus river transfers, three nights aboard the Boatel, tuition and welcome gift.