Exclusive preview of the first beach club to open on Saadiyat

Abu Dhabi, July 25, 2011:  The exclusive Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, today announced it will open on September 1, 2011, making it the first property to become fully operational on Saadiyat Beach - the tourism hotspot of the island.

Based on the luxury Monte-Carlo Beach on the French Riviera, the venue is now fully built and is set to offer its members a range of exclusive privileges.

Today, images of the exclusive venue were released and membership details were made available. Potential members can register their interest by emailing info@montecarlobeachclub.ae.

Preparations are now underway for a launch event that will be held a few weeks after the September 1 opening.

Patrick Nayrolles, General Manager of the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, said: "This is an important moment for us, for Saadiyat, and also Abu Dhabi, as we are providing a club with a level of luxury and exclusivity that has not been experienced in the region to date. 

"We are delighted that we have reached this stage and have a confirmed opening date and we believe our venue will be an integral part of the Saadiyat story."

The Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, which covers an area of 39,500m2, is designed to celebrate fine living, culture, wellbeing and health, reflecting the values and heritage of Monte-Carlo sister hotels and clubs in Europe.

The beach club is operated by SBM (Société des Bains de Mer), who have managed the Monte-Carlo Beach in Monaco for around 90 years. Since the 1920s, the Riviera venue has become synonymous with luxury and impeccable service, and is frequented by some of the world's richest and most influential people.

Members of the Saadiyat venue will experience the chic 'Monte-Carlo lifestyle', which is built around lounging in cabanas, swimming in luxurious pools, indulging in spa treatment and enjoying some of the world's finest cuisine.

There are four food and beverage venues at the club, two of which - the Sea Lounge and Le Deck - have been exported from the original Monte-Carlo Beach. Bubbles, an intimate boat-styled venue, and the Library Lounge, a quiet and homely members-only retreat, will ensure all moods and tastes are catered for.

In the evenings, the club will become a meeting place for Abu Dhabi's social elite, with activity mostly centering around the vibrant Sea Lounge. There will also be a kids' club, state-of-the-art fitness facility, and various function areas. Non-members will be able to visit at the price of a daily cover.

Mr Nayrolles explained that SBM carefully considered the potential before embarking on the Abu Dhabi venture, which will be the first Monte-Carlo Beach Club to be set up outside its original venue.

"We believe that Abu Dhabi has many synergies with Monte-Carlo," he said. "We looked at Saadiyat and where it is going to be in 10 years, and it promises to be an affluent district of Abu Dhabi, home to many of the capital's well-off community. We can see that happening now and we will be supplying a service and a concept that will definitely be in demand as more of the developments come on line."

The opening of the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, is a significant milestone for the island, which is also the future home of Zayed National museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, as well as a number of high-end leisure facilities, residences and hotels.

For many visitors, the opening of the club in September will offer the first opportunity to see Saadiyat Beach's nine-kilometre arc of pristine white sand, which is also the hatching ground for the protected hawksbill turtle. A number of luxury hotels and private residences will also come on line in 2011, including The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, and the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, which is being developed by Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH).

Simon Venison, TDIC Director of Operations, said: "The Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, will kick start the exciting openings we have this year on Saadiyat Beach. The Monte-Carlo brand is synonymous with luxury and impeccable service, and we believe it will bring an air of exclusivity to Saadiyat Beach, which is set to be the island's tourism hotspot.

"TDIC has worked hard to bring the world's most renowned premium brands and partners to this beautiful beach, and we're looking forward to providing unforgettable experiences to both visitors and residents." 

-Ends-

Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat
Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, is the first beach club on the island of Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, and is set to open in September 2011. Built on a 39,500 square metre site along the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the venue boasts an all-day dining restaurant, three lounges, a 'The Workout Room' branded gym and studio, Kids' Club, spa treatment rooms, Jacuzzi, plunge pool and steam rooms.

The facility is designed to celebrate fine living, culture, wellbeing and health, reflecting the values of Monte-Carlo SBM sister hotels and clubs in Monaco. The private beach club will complement the unique experience offered on Saadiyat Beach - the island's tourism hotspot.

About Saadiyat
Saadiyat is a natural island alongside Abu Dhabi's coast, celebrating the renaissance of Arabian living; and a place where iconic landmarks and azure Arabian waters create a thoughtful harmony of culture, leisure and business in a vibrant community. It covers 27 square kilometres, and will be completed in phases. Over 145,000 people are expected to live on the island upon completion.

The island is made up of seven districts: Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Marina, Saadiyat Beach, Saadiyat Promenade, Saadiyat Lagoons, Saadiyat Reserve and Saadiyat Retreat.

Saadiyat will host premium brands in hospitality, education and leisure, combined with the world's largest concentration of cultural institutions, such as Zayed National museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Maritime museum, in addition to Performing Arts Centre all within easy reach. There are plans for luxury hotels, over three million square metres of office space, marinas with berths for 1,000 boats, two championship golf courses, civic and leisure facilities, sea-view apartments and elite villas.

Saadiyat is being developed by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), an independent company of which Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is the sole shareholder.

Monte-Carlo S.B.M.
For almost 150 years, Monte-Carlo SBM Group has offered excellence in the fields of leisure and business, tourism, first rate gastronomy and hotels, art and culture, wellness and high-level sport.

The Monte-Carlo SBM resort includes four fabulous hotels: Hôtel de Paris, Hôtel Hermitage, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort and Monte Carlo Beach, the latter of which was recently renovated by architect-designer India Mahdavi. The resort also includes thirty restaurants, the best of which "Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse"  has, since its inauguration, featured right at the top of the planet's fine food ratings.

The resort also includes sports facilities such as the Country Club, Golf Club and Beach Club and is a major destination for health, fitness and wellness.

Monte-Carlo SBM Group is an unfailing partner of top sporting competitions and is associated with prestigious events such as the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, both of which are part of the Principality of Monaco's busy life.

Monte-Carlo SBM is very much committed to environmental sustainability with the Group recently creating the Monte-Carlo SBM Environmental Charter and the Be Green ecological brand, assuring its clientele of its utmost respect for the environment.

For further information please contact the Seven Media team:
Damian Brandy
00971 50 804 9036
damianbrandy@sevenmedia.ae

Yazan Neme
00971 50 978 6513
yazanneme@sevenmedia.ae

© Press Release 2011