In recent years, Abu Dhabi has seen steady growth in its affluent community, and the city’s infrastructure has evolved to match. While there are many high-end venues catering to luxury lifestyles, most remain accessible to the wider public. Private members’ clubs, however, provide a unique sense of exclusivity and connection, and Abu Dhabi is home to some of the most notable. Read on to explore the city’s leading private members’ clubs.
The Club, Abu Dhabi
About as comprehensive a private members’ club as you are likely to find in the city, The Club is an all-encompassing facility covering dining, entertainment, sports and retail.
Located near Zayed Port just before the bridge to Saadiyat Island, guests are encouraged to relax beside the 25-metre pool, or alternatively, make use of the vast private beaches – one of which is conveniently situated within a man-made bay. The Club offers a range of marine-based activities for Junior Members, such as sailing and swimming, while a comprehensive range of sports like tennis and football are also available.
The club offers no fewer than 11 dining facilities throughout, in addition to a vast lifestyle and culture program, a fully-equipped gym, various lessons (music, swimming, tennis, etc) and even the Abu Dhabi Dramatic Society, who operate within the complex. Given its British roots, traditional English sports like snooker and rowing are also on offer.
Rather unsurprisingly, this highlight of the Abu Dhabi social scene has been the recipient of a slew of awards since its inception, at various points being ranked as one of the top 100 city clubs in the world by Club Leaders Forum, and winning the Telegraph’s Best British Social Club in the World award.
Club Prive by Rixos Saadiyat Island
Home to world-class museums and the interfaith Abrahamic House, Saadiyat Island is a big part of Abu Dhabi’s cultural attraction.
Club Prive by Rixos adds its own charming appeal to the island through round-the-clock security and a 24-hour butler service, which complement its range of intimate hideaway villas. The pinnacle of these options are the Villa Prive abodes, which stand out for their private pools and jacuzzis.
On-site, the club offers convenient amenities, including babysitting and a range of comprehensive room services, while the clubhouse features a variety of top-class food and beverage options. An extensive menu with traditional breakfast options, organic and fresh produce, appetising snacks, and fine dining delicacies further elevate the experience.
Members draw further advantage from all of the amenities provided at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island hotel, which includes six more restaurants and bars, a kids’ club, exquisite spa and wellbeing facilities and a year-round calendar of lively entertainment.
The EP Club
For those who have booked Suites and Club Rooms at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, there is The EP Club – a sophisticated and stylish living room where guests can truly unwind amid refined surroundings.
Elegant interiors highlighted by exquisite hues blend with contemporary designs, positioning this tranquil space as one of the most exclusive in town. The EP Club also boasts a range of bespoke privileges, such as a dedicated concierge service – there to take care of your every need – as well as a 24-hour team of butlers to further elevate your experience.
Guests with club access can take advantage of the sumptuous culinary offerings courtesy of skilled chefs who take pride in the individualised dishes they craft on behalf of the clientele. Access to the private beach is another key highlight, while sweeping vistas of the Arabian Gulf are perfectly framed from the serene terrace.
A range of further privileges makes this club one of the most sophisticated in town. Exclusive hotel experiences abound through personalised check-in and check-out, priority food, beverage and spa booking and sumptuous champagne breakfasts, afternoon teas and sunset cocktails.
Kintsugi Space
The first women-only members’ club in Abu Dhabi, Kintsugi Space is a holistic sanctuary offering a safe space to rest, reset and renew.
Located on the western side of Al Reem Island – and as such easily accessible from anywhere in the city – the club functions as a place which brings together a community of international wellness practitioners, progressive therapists, wellbeing coaches and everything in between.
This incomparable facility is a melting pot of ancient healing techniques, boasting a plethora of exceptional facilities designed with health and wellbeing in mind. That’s not to say contemporary technologies have not been incorporated; the club has integrated cutting-edge know-how into their services, showcasing the best of both worlds – or eras.
All-encompassing wellness opportunities are available through the Transformational & Regenerative Menu, beginning with a Quantum Assessment in order to create your personalised health plan. This includes granular services such as voice-frequency analysis, as well as body and mindset assessments, all delivered under the expert guidance of intuitive wellness retreat managers, further demonstrating the truly comprehensive nature of this facility.
Abu Dhabi offers a wealth of options for those seeking private clubs. Encompassing health and wellness, entertainment, fine dining, and sweeping views of the city, these clubs rank among the most exclusive in town and provide members with an unmatched blend of luxury, privacy, and community.
