30 villas, 90 mansions, and a private marina: Bvlgari to launch gold island retreat in Abu Dhabi

Dubai: A shimmering gold-and-glass private island is coming to Abu Dhabi as Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts joins forces with Eagle Hills to launch a luxury development with a targeted opening in 2030. The project will feature 60 hotel rooms and suites, 30 beachfront villas, and 90 private mansions, blending Italian design with Middle Eastern aesthetics in what the brand calls its most ambitious development to date.

Nestled on a private island, it's characterised by its horseshoe-shape and boasting views of the open sea and the majestic Qasr Al Watan.

“It’s a natural paradise in the middle of a global city,” Bvlgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin told Gulf News in an interview.

“We’re creating something that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world—a private island retreat offering complete intimacy, yet just a few hundred metres from downtown Abu Dhabi.”

The project is being developed by Eagle Hills, the Abu Dhabi-based real estate firm founded by Mohamed Alabbar, and is designed by Milanese architects ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. The striking visual identity—a blend of gold and glass rising from the sand—will pay homage to both Rome’s architectural grandeur and the region’s cultural opulence.

“We wanted the facade to feel contemporary, but also reflect the local love for rich materials,” Babin explained. “The mix of gold and glass is very Bvlgari—but also very Abu Dhabi.”

This will be Bvlgari’s most ambitious resort yet, with a five-bedroom, 1,200 sqm flagship Bvlgari Villa, private marina, 40-berth yacht club, and a curated selection of culinary experiences including Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, the Japanese concept Hōseki, a refined Turkish restaurant, and the lively Bvlgari Bar.

Babin noted that privacy and scale were paramount in the design.

“Each of the 90 mansions will have expansive space—some over 2,500 sqm—with high ceilings, dramatic volume, and private docks or beachfronts. We’re aiming for monumental beauty, like a Roman temple—but made for modern living.”

The resort will also feature 2,000 sq meter spa, 25-metre lap pool, and fitness centre.

For high-profile guests, the promise of discretion will be as luxurious as the amenities themselves.

“If I were a celebrity, this is exactly where I would go,” Babin said.

“They want privacy more than anyone. On this island, there’s no through traffic. It’s fully private, accessible only to resort guests or mansion owners.”

He added that even the Yacht Club will have boundaries, allowing casual visitors access to dining and beach areas—but not the hotel or mansion zones.

“It’s designed for peace of mind. We respect our guests’ desire for complete escape.”

Bvlgari's hospitality footprint continues to expand selectively, with properties in Milan, Paris, London, and Tokyo, and upcoming locations including Miami, Maldives, and Bodrum. But Babin insists the brand is not chasing numbers.

“We’re not building dozens of hotels. We’re creating a global community—intimate, loyal, and refined. Each location is chosen because you not only want to go there—you need to.”

He also acknowledged Abu Dhabi’s growing cultural stature, with global events, major film productions, and entertainment powerhouses like Disney soon setting up shop.

“Abu Dhabi is vibrant and evolving. This project is part of that momentum. It will be a landmark—not just architecturally, but emotionally.”

So will Bvlgari expand to Saudi Arabia next?

“Saudi is fascinating, especially with the Red Sea’s untouched marine beauty,” he said. “But we’re observing the landscape, connectivity, and client base first. When we go, we want to get it exactly right.”

Until then, all eyes are on Abu Dhabi, where Bvlgari’s gold-and-glass island is set to redefine what ultra-luxury looks—and feels—like in the Middle East.