FIVE’s fresh hospitality vibe brings Ibiza brand to Dubai
For anyone of a certain age and persuasion, the nightclub Pacha in Ibiza is right up there with Manchester’s Hacienda, London’s Ministry of Sound, and The Viper Room in LA.
In the 1990s, nightclubs were a huge global business, but times and tastes changed, even if the desire to party remained.
While other iconic clubs slowly faded from view (The Hacienda has long been converted into luxury apartments), Pacha went from strength to strength to include The Pacha Nightclub, Destino Pacha Hotel, and El Hotel – not to mention fashion and record labels – to create a lifestyle ecosystem that recently turned 50 years old.
Dubai’s homegrown FIVE, a luxury brand known for iconic hotels and innovative hospitality, recently acquired the Pacha brand as part of its global expansion plans and exciting new development on the prime Jumeirah beach – FIVE LUXE.
FIVE’s hotels include the FIVE Palm Jumeirah, FIVE Jumeirah Village, FIVE Zurich, and the upcoming FIVE LUXE. This is where FIVE intends to locate Pacha’s infamous cabaret club Lío Dubai – built (where else?) on its own party island just off the coast.
“I am extremely proud to share the exciting news that FIVE has concluded the process to acquire the celebrated Pacha Group – an illustrious nightlife, hospitality and leisure brand that has an iconic legacy and one which has been an undisputed pioneer in the industry for decades, and one that I have personally admired for a very long time,” said Kabir Mulchandani, Founder and Chairman, FIVE Holdings.
“As The Pacha Group joins forces with FIVE, I am truly thrilled to embark on this sensational new next chapter.”
FIVE brings Ibiza vibe to Dubai beachfront
Aloki Batra, the charismatic CEO of FIVE Hospitality, who featured in the latest issue of Business Chief Middle East & Africa, will take on the role of CEO of Universo Pacha.
“The Pacha Lifestyle includes the world’s most iconic nightclub, where music and glamour collide to create an electric mix of authenticity, spontaneity and fun – one which now combines with FIVE’s celebrated hospitality and luxury lifestyle expertise,” said Batra.
“It is a momentous occasion that is set to create a worldwide magnum opus of entertainment.”
FIVE certainly likes to do things differently, and with a focus on entertainment.
“Where the hell is the entertainment in the hospitality industry?” joked Aloki when interviewed by Business Chief. “I don't know if what we do is disruptive, but other hotel chains, they’re a lodging industry, not a hospitality industry.”
FIVE is shaking up the hotel industry with sector-leading results based on a digital-first strategy and focus on fun.
Describing itself as an ‘immersive 360-degree luxury lifestyle entertainment destination’ FIVE Hotels and Resorts has created an award-winning formula with digital-savvy guests who crave experiences rather than simply a place to sleep.
That includes collaborations with Warner Music Group for FIVE Music and a state-of-the-art recording studio for artists, as well as the Fly FIVE private jet that takes the lifestyle concept to the skies.
Proving, perhaps, that the sky is not the limit.
