Author: Lucie

Press Release | Boat International

14 August 2025 • Written by Hannah Rankine for YachtCloud

Service should be seamless on board superyachts. Yet one unsightly detail kept catching the eye of YachtCloud founder and managing partner André Klepper. His answer, GEST, is a discreet superyacht service call system that transforms guest-crew communication. BOAT finds out more…

It started with a small but persistent irritation. “I kept noticing the same thing every time I stepped onto a yacht,” recalls Klepper. “Everything was beautifully designed, except the controls. You’d have these high-end, multi-million-dollar boats, and then you’d see these cheap plastic buttons stuck around the cabin. It just didn’t make sense.”

Along with his co-founder, Arjan, Klepper began a years-long process to fix it. “It took almost five years of trial and error, testing different button sizes, layouts, materials and feedback types until we got it right,” he says. “It wasn’t quick, and it wasn’t easy, but we ended up with something that felt like it belonged on a proper yacht.”

That “something” became GEST, a premium service call system designed specifically for the luxury yachting market. “We were fortunate that the first few boats gave us a shot when we had very little to show besides a rough prototype and an idea,” Klepper adds. Word-of-mouth took it from there.

How it works

GEST is a tactile, highly customisable service call button that allows guests to request assistance with a single touch. Each one can be tailored to the yacht’s identity, from the material of the ring and surface finish to leather inlays, laser engravings and even multi-touch features. The GEST Connect App offers the same functions in a digital format, running on phones or tablets, with the added bonus of two-way chat between guests and crew.

GEST is generally installed in all the key guest areas on board, such as the main saloon, owner’s suite, guest cabins or out on deck. Press the button and it glows a purple hue while sending an instant notification to the crew’s connected device, whether a smartwatch, tablet, phone or VHF. When a crew member accepts the request, the light turns green, reassuring the guest that help is on the way. Once fulfilled, the light turns off.

Behind the scenes, the Manager Portal keeps everything organised, allowing crew to monitor all calls, track response times and ensure service levels are maintained. Meanwhile, the Crew App streamlines the response process by making it easy to see and manage requests in real time.

Installation is simple and straightforward. Every button is quality checked in-house by YachtCloud before it leaves the workshop. On board, it’s simply linked to the yacht’s Wi-Fi and assigned to a location via the GEST app.

“Choosing GEST has been absolutely the right decision in terms of quality, setup and perfect design matching the superyacht standards,” says the captain of 66.4-metre OKTO.

“The GEST Connect App has really changed how we work, and we can’t imagine using anything else. We highly recommend it for any yacht that wants to make guest and crew interactions easier and better.” Chief Stewardess 50M Motor Yacht

Meanwhile, the chief stewardess of a 50-metre motor yacht credits the digital version with transforming daily operations.

For Klepper, GEST is about ensuring every detail on board reflects the yacht’s overall service standard. Installed on some of the world’s most prestigious yachts, GEST has proven that even the simplest innovations can have a big impact.

For a limited time, YachtCloud is offering 10 per cent off the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on any GEST system purchased before 30 September 2025.

To learn more or place an order, get in touch with the YachtCloud team.

Sponsored content created for YachtCloud

In luxury residential and high-end properties, exceptional service is a non-negotiable standard. Whether in villas, palaces, or boutique service residences, seamless communication with staff elevates the living experience. The GEST Button is a discreet, design-integrated service call system that transforms how owners, guests, and house employees interact.

Why Luxury Properties Need a Hidden Service Call System

For luxury properties, style and service must work in harmony. The GEST Button is a hidden service feature that integrates with interiors, allowing requests to be made without visible disruption to the property’s design.

From Coffee to Chauffeurs, Service at the Press of a Button

With the service call button, residents can:

• Request their butler for coffee or refreshments.
• Ask the house manager to arrange transportation.
• Remind staff to feed pets.
• Coordinate private events and dinners.

This call system enables instant, silent, and efficient communication, whether in the living room, garden, pool area, or guest suite.

How the GEST Button Supports Property Managers

For property managers handling luxury villas or estates, the GEST Button reduces delays, streamlines staff response, and ensures tasks are completed without repeated follow-ups. It’s a service call system that enhances operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.

Enhancing the Owner’s Experience

Luxury service is about effortless living. The GEST Button ensures owners can summon assistance without picking up a phone or leaving their seat—maintaining privacy and delivering prompt service every time.

Discreet Design for High-End Living

Placed strategically throughout the property, the GEST service call button blends with the décor, becoming an invisible yet essential part of the home. Whether in boutique service residences or sprawling luxury villas, it’s the ideal balance between function and elegance.

The GEST Button is more than a call button; it’s a silent enabler of luxury living. For property managers, house managers, and owners alike, it delivers the ultimate in hidden service convenience, redefining luxury residential experiences worldwide.

GEST by YachtCloud

In the realm of yachting and superyachts, every detail matters from design to service. Enter GEST by YachtCloud, a next-level service call system that provides guest service at the touch of a button. Designed to deliver luxury service through reliable technology, GEST sets a new standard in refined, intuitive communication between guests and crew.

A Symphony of Luxury and Technology

GEST is built to blend in with luxurious environments, whether on lavish yachts, private residences, or elite hospitality venues. It merges luxury technology and refined design, crafted with the finest materials like high-end leather, polished metals, and custom veneers, to enhance every luxurious touchpoint.

Models That Embody Sophistication

GEST comes in three exquisite models:

• Solid Black: Sleek ABS matte finish with a nickel-chrome edge. Priced from €1,199.
• Universe: Encased in premium leather with marine-grade sterling silver details. Around €1,499.
• Boutique: Fully custom, tailored to match bespoke interiors and brand identities. Pricing on request.

Each model is customisable with options for custom engraving, leather or wood veneers, and exclusive materials like 24 kt gold or bronze.

Integration that Sets the Standard

GEST installs with ease and elegance. Requiring only a simple Wi-Fi connection, no additional hardware or base stations, this system integrates seamlessly into existing Crestron or API-based yacht control environments. A dedicated GEST App or Local/GEST Cloud server provides management and monitoring, ensuring total operational efficiency.

Intuitive, Elegant Interaction

Using GEST is intuitive:

1. Touch and hold for a standard or a priority service request.
2. Feedback via light and sound, the ring glows green when a crew member has accepted the call.
3. Emergency mode triggers a discreet alert for enhanced safety.

The button is location-aware, assignable to rooms or crew, and supports two-way communication, ensuring privacy, clarity, and prompt service.

Crafted for Reliability, at Sea and Beyond

Every GEST button is the product of over 12,000 hours of engineering, testing, and refinement, responsibly crafted in the Netherlands. The result? A reliable service system that reflects YachtCloud’s commitment to luxury living. A stable, battery-powered design, enhanced with Qi wireless charging and system monitoring, ensures flawless performance even in remote high-end settings.

Why GEST is the Smart Choice for Elite Environments

• Effortless guest service: Simplifies service calls, elevating guest experiences.
• Luxury output: Elegant, customizable designs that integrate seamlessly into high-end environments.
• Reliable service: Solid hardware, smart feedback, strong connectivity, and safety features.
• Seamless integration: Works with existing yacht systems via API/Crestron, and easily managed via the GEST App or local/cloud servers.

GEST isn’t just a button; it’s a refined touchpoint for luxury service in yachting, superyachts, residences, and hospitality venues. It redefines guest interactions with seamless integration, luxury technology, and exceptional design, all wrapped into one.

With its unmatched combination of elegance, intuitive functionality, and cutting-edge technology, GEST by YachtCloud elevates guest-service standards to seven-star luxury, all with a single sophisticated button.

Introducing our brand new feature: the Visitor Module

Streamline your operations even further with our latest CrewBoard upgrade

We’re excited to announce a brand-new feature for CrewBoard, our powerful onboard management system designed for crew, guests, contractors, press, and more, now introducing the Visitor Module.
Whether you’re already using CrewBoard or just learning about it, this update brings added efficiency and control to your yacht’s daily operations.

What’s New?
Whether it’s contractors, media, or special guests, you can now print professional-looking badges directly from CrewBoard, making it easier to identify, track, and manage everyone coming aboard.

This new feature helps you:

✔ Increase onboard security
✔ Improve professionalism during guest visits
✔ Clearly identify visitors by role and access level

Already using CrewBoard?

You can request that this feature be added to your existing system. Simply reply to this email or contact your YachtCloud representative, and we’ll assist you in getting set up.

Not using CrewBoard yet?

CrewBoard is an intuitive digital interface that simplifies onboard administration for everyone on board – from crew and guests to press and contractors.

Discover CrewBoard