This season Dubai socialites will get their own slice of St. Tropez at Chouchou, the city’s first beach house for private members on the white sands of J1 Beach, La Mer Dubai.
Chouchou is created by family-run French hospitality group With Love Hospitality who focus on creating exceptional customer experiences that redefine the concept of luxury by infusing them with warmth, vibrancy, and a sense of fun.
Their highly anticipated private members beachfront destination will launch in October 2024, and sprawls across a classic two-story French beach house designed to align with their ethos of laid-back familiarity. Like a carefree summer memory, Chouchou captures the sun-kissed ease of the Riviera while being on the doorstep of the city.
Whether relaxing under chic burnt orange and white striped umbrellas at the piscine and plage, clinking glasses of ice-cold rosé at members-only Le Salon; feasting family style on classic French cuisine at Le Restaurant or infusing an evening with continental sophistication and warm sociable essence of coastal France and artisan cocktails at one of Chouchou’s spirited bars, every visit feels like stepping back into a treasured holiday moment.
Providing access to a distinctive lifestyle to relax, socialise, and build valuable connections in the heart of the city, as well as access to exclusive amenities, members’ experiences are elevated through curated intimate gatherings across wellness, food, culture and music. From the avant gardist who spend their day creating innovative new concepts and their nights connecting with fellow trendsetters; to the media guru who rises early to summon the latest industry insights before stepping out in armour to meet other visionaries over coffee and conversation; to the maestro who lives with an orchestra of ideas in their head and roams the city’s labyrinth of a music scene for new melodies; the Chouchou crowd is made up of unique souls – families, friends and solo explorers alike who have one thing in common – they long to carve out moments of serenity and joie de vivre among the hustle.
The Ground Floor
On entering the two-story seaside getaway, Chouchou’s discerning members will find themselves transported to the laid-back charm of the Côte d’Azur. A place to connect and plug in to Dubai’s social network or gather the family for some Riviera-style R&R, the piscine & plage area evokes a casual alfresco living space looking out over the white sands and clear blue sea beyond.
The curved retro pool is fringed by cushioned benches for conversations in and out of the water; while low-slung, toes-in-the-sand sunbeds blend with cabanas framed with floating layered white linens for the ultimate in luxurious yet interactive lounging.
Also located on the ground floor, Chouchou’s restaurant and terrace is designed to feel like dining at a friend’s lived-in beach house. Upholstered seating in earthy textured tones from prestigious French and Italian fabric houses give a subtle 70’s vibe, while living plant walls and clustered leaf lighting soften the aesthetic and invite the outside in. The touch of elegant cool patchwork like marbles lead the way and statement fountains whisper stories of a bygone era yet feel right at home in our contemporary world.
Dining at Chouchou is simple yet profound, and tables are big for a reason, to invite loved ones to pile in and eat well. Food is a shared delight with dishes crafted to be passed around the table. Every time-honoured plate — from Bouillabaisse, fresh Sole Meunière, a selection of sweet and savoury soufflé and Mille-Feuille — tells a story of a rich culinary history and celebrates the quintessential concept of eating en famille. All created by Executive Chef Valentin Bernigaud, a master in haute cuisine, former chef at Le Ritz Paris and protegee of French Michelin-star chef Joël Robuchon.
Delivering a rustic charm, champagne, cheese and dessert trolleys weave through the tables, reminiscent of well-loved brasseries across France. Highlights from the menus available anywhere, anytime include a curated list of caviars, expertly sourced meat and fish from the grill, platters of fruits de mer and freshly baked treasures from Chouchou’s in-house patisserie. Wherever guests choose to dine, they are invited to a family-friendly experience that is authentically, undeniably French.
The First Floor
At night, when the Dubai sun dips below the horizon and the city lights begin to twinkle, Chouchou brings the sultry allure of French Riviera nights to the heart of Dubai. Journeying effortlessly from beach lounger to bar stool, treasured guests might roam upstairs to Chouchou’s members only first floor to continue their vacation in style.
Les Salons – an exclusive bar and terrace overlooking the shoreline – is ideal for intimate gatherings, networking or simply unwinding under the stars. Serving up an exclusive blend of modern beats and rotating roster of special guest DJ’s, cosy and inviting, plush sofas and armchairs to sink into are made for long conversations and sprinkled with a touch of Riviera charm. Much like the 19th century scenic clubs of Cote d’Azur, the space blends contemporary and classic French style – framed by floor to ceiling windows ideal for sunrise coffees as sunset cocktails.
Serving up the finest wines and champagnes plucked from the vineyards of France, Le Salons bar and terrace makes the most of balmy nights. At Chouchou, cocktail craftsmanship is as refined yet simple as a classic Champagne cocktail. Beautifully executed signature drinks are decadent like desserts – from concoctions infused with chocolate espresso and citrus-infused crème brulée to salted crème de café martinis.
A nod to the timeless allure of the Riviera, where French tourists, basking in the golden glow of the sun, would retreat to the comfort of a cool, crisp glass of rosé. At Chouchou, rosé is more than a wine; it’s an experience. To celebrate, the dedicated Rosé ! s’il vous plaît menu a happy hour offers a collection of innovative rosé-infused cocktails encapsulating the sophistication of sun kissed summers. A highly glamorous affair where time slows and the day’s heat softens into the cool reprieve of evening, an exclusive selection of France’s finest rose’s are available by the bottle.
The spot for making connections while letting every sip become a toast to the St Tropez-inspired beachside bliss that surrounds, Les Salons can be arranged for private gatherings suited to the preferences of those that appreciate the finer things in life.
Chouchou Members
As well as getting full access to their two-story seaside private house from day to night, members of Dubai’s first French beach house are invited to regular intimate gatherings. Tailored to the tastes of the individual, these might include a morning of immersive wellness, a carefully curated list of cultural talks led by the city’s beau monde, exclusive tasting evenings with artisan producers, French cinema nights, family-friendly play sessions, special musical performances and plenty of cocktail-laced soirées.
