newstarhotels was born from a passion for authentic seafaring. Today, our Toronto‑based team brings together seasoned captains, culinary experts, and travel designers who share one belief: a yacht trip should feel like coming home — only with a better view.
In 2008, three friends met at a café in Toronto’s East End. One was a veteran captain who had spent decades navigating the Atlantic, another a travel writer who had sailed every corner of the Mediterranean, and the third a hotelier who had grown tired of impersonal luxury. Their idea was simple: create yacht charters that feel personal, not transactional.
Fast‑forward to today, and newstarhotels has grown into a close‑knit team of 28 professionals. We’ve accompanied over 4,200 voyages, built a fleet of 18 hand‑picked yachts, and established partnerships in more than 60 countries. Yet our founding principle remains unchanged: we only offer what we would confidently recommend to our own families and friends.
We’d rather lose a booking than mislead a guest. If a yacht isn’t the right fit, we’ll tell you. If the weather looks shaky, we’ll advise a different week. Our reputation is built on trust, not on closing deals at any cost.
Before a yacht joins our fleet, our Head of Fleet, Captain James O’Connor, spends a full week on board — in all conditions. We know the chefs, the skippers, the harbours. It’s the small touches that turn a good trip into a life‑long memory.
We partner with yachts that use modern waste‑water treatment, solar‑assisted systems, and fuel‑efficient routing. We also support local coastal communities by hiring regional crew, sourcing produce from nearby markets, and paying fair wages.
No call centre. No anonymous voices. With us, you speak to people who know your destination — often better than you do.
Former hotel director and lifelong sailor. Alexis has crossed the Atlantic twice and knows the Mediterranean and Caribbean like the back of her hand.
A Canadian captain with 25 years of experience on the Great Lakes, the Atlantic, and the Pacific. James personally inspects every vessel before it joins our lineup.
Mira has sailed from the fjords of Norway to the islands of Thailand. She designs itineraries that avoid the tourist crowds and uncover hidden gems.
Your personal point of contact from the very first inquiry. Stefan speaks four languages and has a knack for remembering every guest’s favourite drink.
An initial conversation takes 20 minutes — and is often enough to feel whether we're a good fit.
