For many, there is no better way to watch the grand Prix action than from the luxury of an exclusive yacht floating just metres from the track.
Like Monaco, Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit offers the rare chance to soak up all the race-day action from the waterside, with scores of prized mooring spots lining the track’s perimeter.
The boats range in size from tiny private vessels to humongous multimillion dirham cruisers – and vary in mood from subdued raceday retreats to floor-shaking party boats, booming music until the early hours.
At one end of the spectrum is GP Management’s offering, a luxury yacht entitled Exclusive II, with a select guest list of clients who pay to be fed and watered in peace while soaking up all the trackside drama from this prime vantage point.
The event organisers are hosting a yacht at Yas Marina for a fifth year running, and when we stopped by on Friday there was an affluent vibe and a steady flow of canapés from the crew of affable staff, serving from 11am until 7pm. However we’re promised the mood shifts somewhat on Sunday evening, when the team partners with Podium Lounge to send guests indoors to a party headlined by Rudimental.
At the other end of the spectrum is HMS Mahiki, a huge two-tier boat totally decked out in Tiki-themed madness by the team behind the Dubai nightspot of the same name – in essence a temporary nightclub on water, the party continuing until 2am every night.
From far off in the distance the boat’s bright tropical decor stood out a mile among the rows of white and steel. Sharing golf buggies with guests from other yachts, we overheard more than one person murmur “that’s the boat I want to be on”.
On board, the yacht was a full-on party by midafternoon. Themed as a Coconut Lounge, artificial grass lined the floor, flowers and plants ran up the walls and overhead, and furniture was either wicker or decorated in garish Polynesian colours. Refreshments were served in treasure chests and waitresses wandered around with a decent selection of food, such as seafood lasagne and tasty grills.
When we boarded there was a beguiling stream of glamorous models traipsing the aisles – one of many fashion and dance shows, we later learnt, throughout a packed three-day programme.
A partnership with Dubai’s Xclusive Yachts, there was a prime trackside vista from the vessel’s upper deck, while screens broadcast the action live. However, few of the party people on board seemed to be all that bothered about the race. Instead it was a party vibe, with a revolving door of guest DJs, including Hollaphonic’s Greg Stainer, to ensure the beats never got old. There was even a lipstick station for ladies. Now that’s planning ahead.
Find out more about GP management at www.gpmworldwide.com.
For tickets to The Podium Lounge parties see podiumlounge.com/ae.
To find out more about passes to Mahiki visit www.mahiki.ae or call 04 380 7731.
rgarratt@thenational.ae
