From plush sun loungers to umbrellas, each carefully curated detail will transport visitors to the French coast for a summer experience like no other
From plush sun loungers to umbrellas, each carefully curated detail will transport visitors to the French coast for a summer experience like no other
From plush sun loungers to umbrellas, each carefully curated detail will transport visitors to the French coast for a summer experience like no other
From plush sun loungers to umbrellas, each carefully curated detail will transport visitors to the French coast for a summer experience like no other

Saadiyat Beach Club and Vilebrequin launch French-style summer experience in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s famous beach club will be transported to the French Riviera from March until the end of September

Advertorial

March 12, 2024

Combining the best in summer style and luxury, Saadiyat Beach Club and French swimwear brand Vilebrequin are collaborating to celebrate summer in Abu Dhabi with a takeover of the luxury beach club on Saadiyat Island.

Infusing local shores with a touch of French joie de vivre, visitors to Abu Dhabi’s famous beach club will be transported to the French Riviera this summer as designer Vincent Darre and his team adorn the property with a vibrant range of Riviera-feel furnishings, including custom fabrics and hand-painted ceramics, adding to Saadiyat Beach Club’s luxe-yet-laidback atmosphere.

From March 9 until the end of September 2024, Saadiyat Beach Club will be decked out in Vilebrequin’s signature vibrant colours and patterns. Inspired by the property’s spectacular location overlooking the golden beach, the glistening waters of the Arabian Gulf, and the protected Hawks Bill Sea Turtles that call this stretch of beach home, Vilebrequin has created a variety of motifs, including a sea turtle, that will form part of the décor.

Private pool cabanas will be decorated with Vilebrequin’s iconic prints
Private pool cabanas will be decorated with Vilebrequin’s iconic prints

Guests will be able to able to experience Riviera glamour with a touch of Abu Dhabi elegance as they enjoy the property’s premium facilities, including a sparkling pool and beach bar, while lounging in private pool cabanas decorated with Vilebrequin’s iconic prints. From plush sun loungers to umbrellas, each carefully curated detail will transport visitors to the French coast for a summer experience like no other.

Saadiyat Beach Club’s private beach will also be transformed with bespoke Vilebrequin-branded towels available from the beach concierge, colourful parasols and sunbeds, creating the perfect setting for relaxation and enjoyment this summer.

Complimenting the decor, guests will also be able to feast on delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Safina Restaurant, while enjoying the striking views.

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Updated: March 12, 2024, 2:10 AM