Founder’s Story
Privilee started with a simple observation. Living in the UAE, I spent a lot of time around hotel pools, beaches, and resorts. These were places people wanted to be, and places hotels had already built, yet access to non-guests was often limited, and much of that capacity sat unused.
What interested me wasn’t just access, but the opportunity behind it. There were people looking for great places to spend their time, and venues with space to welcome them, yet the two rarely connected in a way that worked well for both sides.
That idea became clearer when I saw a similar model working in practice. A friend of mine who worked for an airline had access to hotel pools and beaches through an internal company benefit. It was popular and effective, but only a small group could enjoy it. Seeing that model in action raised an important question. If something like this worked so well for one audience, why couldn’t it work at a wider scale, and in a way that benefited hotels just as much as the people using it?
That question is what led me to create Privilee. I wanted to build a membership that my family and I would genuinely use, one that made it easy for people to enjoy pools, beaches, and hotel experiences as part of everyday life, while helping venues turn underused space into meaningful business opportunity. Years of living in the region and travelling extensively gave me a strong understanding of hospitality and what people look for in their everyday downtime.
Back in 2015, nothing like this existed in the region. The opportunity to build something new was especially exciting and gave me a clear focus on creating something that worked in real life for both Members and Partners. Building Privilee independently allowed us to move efficiently, stay focused, and make decisions that supported long-term value.
Privilee launched with a small group of hotels and a clear access offer. As demand grew for a more holistic lifestyle membership, we expanded into gyms, fitness classes, padel, and recovery, shaping Privilee into a broader lifestyle and wellness platform. From the UAE, we expanded into new markets, with growth staying intentional. We add what Members use, build what Partners value, and ensure the experience works in every place we operate.
As Privilee enters new countries, I stay close to the experience. I visit each market in person to understand the spaces, culture, and opportunities firsthand. It is the best way to ensure we grow thoughtfully, maintain quality, and stay aligned with the purpose that shaped Privilee from the beginning.
