Heralding from a strong international business background, Lucy Chow has enjoyed a successful career in Hong Kong, New York and now in Dubai where she has lived since 2007. During her initial three years in the Middle East, Lucy focused on business development and geographic expansion for numerous firms before founding her own company, The Elements Group in 2011. The Elements Group enjoys a strong reputation for creating bespoke events focused on thought leadership.
With such a busy lifestyle and a strong passion for travel, Lucy was looking for something a bit different when it came to spending her precious down time with her husband. “My husband, Ray and I were researching various holiday vacation clubs. He saw an advert for The Hideaways Club in the FT ‘How to Spend It’ magazine. I asked a few trusted friends about their views of The Hideaways Club and we were introduced to one of the original founders. We were drawn to the concept of owning a share of this luxury property portfolio. So when we saw the quality and location of apartments in The City Collection, we were sold. It suited our lifestyle. We have since also invested in The Classic Collection that offers Villas and Ski Chalets. I was very pleased to be nominated to represent the Middle East on the Members Council that has just been launched at The Hideaways Club.
The Hideaways Club is the key to a unique concept for discerning investors and travellers that combines investment in a diversified portfolio of exquisite properties located in some of the world’s most desirable locations, with holidays accessed through a luxury destination and lifestyle club. Members are like-minded successful individuals from the worlds of business, media, fashion and sport, including Tennis Player Tim Henman, Golfer Francesco Molinaro and F1 Driver Tomas Berdych.
They are savvy investors, who also have a passion for luxurious properties in exclusive locations around the world, yet very little time to allocate to holiday planning. The Hideaways Club represents a unique way to own part of a global property portfolio enabling Members to holiday in a variety of stunning locations around the world all supported by a first class Concierge team based in London and also at each property.
1. Where are you from originally and how did you come to live in the UAE?
I am Canadian, but have been an expat for about 20 years. My family and I moved to the UAE in late 2007 when my husband was offered the opportunity to move here with his company. Prior to coming to the Dubai we were living and working in Hong Kong.
2. Why did you decide to join The Hideaways Club?
It is definitely a lifestyle enhancer, whilst at the same time, it serves to diversify our investment portfolio. It is a smart business model.
3. Can you tell us about your favourite villa in The Hideaways Club Classic Collection?
We have not been to every one, or even 1/10 of all the villas, but we brought back some wonderful memories with our stay at Villa Santisook in Phuket. The villa staff were highly attentive and we had the most amazing cook. The location was perfect. We could walk across the street to a local private beach. The villa is set upon a hill overlooking the Andaman Sea. We had a total of 4 families in the stunning villa with its own private gym, billiards room and the most heavenly infinity pool.
4. You are also a member of the City Collection. Which is your favourite City apartment in The Hideaways Club?
Honestly it is so difficult to choose. We have been to Rome, Prague, London and Singapore! But we have to admit the New York apartment right in Times Square holds a special affinity for us. It was the very first apartment we ever visited and the minute we stepped through the door, we knew we had made the right choice in becoming a Hideaways member! You can get a sense of the awe inspiring views from the apartment on the website, but it is located right in the heart of everything – the apartment is within a 5 minute walk of every Broadway theatre. It’s so easy to access if you need to go uptown or downtown in Manhattan. My son Max thinks it is our apartment in NY and I guess technically, it is!
5. How has The Hideaways Club enhanced your way of vacationing?
As long-term expats, we wanted to find a way of bringing friends and family from the 4 corners of the earth together with us. The size of the villas and even the City apartments are perfect for getting groups together. The Concierge Service is indispensable! Not only can they manage the itineraries of all your guests, but they even managed to arrange a surprise visit from a baby elephant one year when we were in Thailand. The kids were over the moon! The Hideaways has a central Concierge Team based in London and also Local Concierges at each destination.
6. Would you recommend The Hideaways Club to friends and other parents for family holidays?
My family and I are huge proponents of The Hideaways Club. They partnered with Exclusive Estates in early 2013, giving Members access to stunning residences primarily in North America and Mexico. This combined with their existing portfolio in Europe, Asia and South Africa essentially provides a portfolio that covers the world. The residences are equipped to welcome families with babies to teenagers! It’s perfect for multi family and multi-generational holidays.
7. Where are you heading on holiday to next?
We are excited to be going home to Vancouver, Canada for the summer break (waiting for The Hideaways Club to buy an apartment in that fabulous City one day!). But we will also spend two weeks in New York in August and that means staying in our favorite apartment on Broadway! Later in the year we have booked Villa Infinity in Portugal. It looks absolutely stunning and very contemporary. That’s the joy of the Club the diversity of luxury properties from authentic Tuscan villas with breathtaking views to state of the art modern contemporary Villas.
8. From all of your travels and globetrotting, what are the 3 things you can’t travel without?
My Blackberry, Tom Ford make-up and Ordning & Reda passport holder and travel wallet.
More About Lucy Chow:
Lucy holds an EMBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management Northwestern University and HK University of Science &Technology. She earned her BA in International Relations from the University of British Columbia.
She is currently the Co-Chair of 85Broads UAE, sits on the Events Committee of The Capital Club (a prestigious private business and social club located in the Dubai International Financial Centre), and founded the Dubai Chapter of Room to Read. She also sits on the UAE committee for Acumen and actively fundraises.
Lucy was featured in the photography book, Women of the UAE. She was one of Ahlan’s Hot100 in 2012, under the Entrepreneur category. Lucy contributes regularly to both radio and print media in her role as a business leader in the UAE.
For more information about the Hideaways Club, its destinations and how to join, visit http://www.thehideawaysclub.com or call +44 20 7824 9940
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