Lebanon is the place to be this New Year’s Eve for Dubai’s elite partygoers.
But no flight is required – they only have to venture four kilometres out to sea to visit Lebanon on The World development, an artificial archipelago covering 54 square kilometres.
Royal Island Beach Club, which opened in spring as the first operational resort on The World, is expecting up to 300 guests to make the trip from the mainland to usher in 2013.
Organisers said it would be the only place where all the New Year celebrations across Dubai could be seen, from Burj Khalifa to Palm Jumeirah, and as far as Jebel Ali.
“This is a great opportunity for Dubai’s elite to come to an exclusive island destination and enjoy the New Year’s celebrations,” said club owner Raman Ravi.
“We receive on average eight to 10 calls a week from private yacht owners and over 100 calls a week from the guests for group bookings, events and hospitality. This is a great way for us to accommodate our guests with a niche destination on New Year’s.”
Reservations start from Dh2,499 to Dh2,999 per person including transport, entertainment, a DJ and a buffet.
Ferries are scheduled to leave Dubai Marina at 7.30pm on New Year’s Eve and smaller yachts will depart from The Palm Jumeirah east crescent. Private yacht owners are welcome but must book in advance.
Guests will be entertained by a Brazilian band and DJ.
The Royal Island Beach club is just one of many venues holding events to celebrate the arrival of 2013. Revellers and families alike will party into the early hours across the UAE, with a multitude of events ranging from club nights to drumming in the desert.
The hip-hop star, Snoop Dogg, will perform in Dubai at Meydan Racecourse, while in Abu Dhabi, Arab pop music will be played at Emirates Palace.
For Royal Island Beach Club bookings call 050 3669055 or email bookings@RoyalIslandBeachClub.ae.
[ ecleland@thenational.ae ]
