For any thriving venture to encounter their 25th anniversary is an extraordinary breakthrough; for Nikki Beach Global, it’s also an evermore uplifting symbol of barefoot luxury revolution, humble hustle, and a father’s eternal adoration for his daughter, Nicole Penrod.
Nikki’s story
At only 18-years old, Nicole tragically had her life stolen from her and her loved ones, following a reckless drink-driving car accident. Undaunted and armed with unwavering inspiring courage, it was the formidable duo and power couple, Jack and Lucia Penrod, who set upon a journey to invite the world in a dazzling celebration of Nicole’s sparkling spirit and her vivacious zest for life, with a luxury beach club concept in a class by itself that echoed extravagant ritz, swirled with an unruffled yet captivating aura.
Jack made every second count on his touching voyage, introducing the party haven city of Miami to an Edenic botanical garden and lagoon-like oasis by the name of Penrod’s Beach Club and later Cafe Nikki. It was doubly so prettified with a rainbow harlequin array of Nicole’s favourite butterflies, merrily fluttering their vibrant wings amongst colourful birds, and blossoming flora dotted around the greenery.
In a fraction of a second plus a flicker of an eye, a tranquil fine-dining sanctum had re-emerged into a sizzling soirée utopia in this yacht embellished metropolis. Decked up in those now-signature pure white trappings, guests adorned in their swimwear couture quenched their parched throats on chilled Perrier Jouet magnums while grooving to the DJ’s heart-throbbing mixes.
With the added pleasures of rhythmic melodies and a bon-vivant fest, while swooning over the turquoise shores of Miami Beach, Nicole’s sprightly fervour for life had been reignited and thus in 1998, we witnessed the glittering advent of Nikki Beach.
As we’ve jet-set into 2023, amidst a legion of sybaritic frolics for the 25th anniversary, this bougee beach brand has sealed an enviable stature as THE lifestyle empire for the extravagant fast-lane society now famed for their ‘tell only your best friends’ tag, as it altogether flawlessly fuses music, gastronomy, and chic prêt-à-porter. As of today the group currently serenade their presence in 11 beach clubs and five hotels and resorts, reaching from the jewel-tinted shores of Italy’s Costa Smeralda, world hesitate treasure of Tivat, Montenegro, to the glistening Arabian Gulf of Dubai’s Pearl Jumeirah.
A fierce Nikki Beach devotee myself, it was beyond reasonable doubt I’d be jetting over the RSVP first class for my glittering invite, to don my chi-chi glad rags, and celebrate a young lady’s infectious essence. My 96-hour odyssey was to be spent basking against the Mediterranean’s azure beauty, by the breath-taking Pampelonne paradise in the stylish territory of Saint Tropez where the scene was set for French blonde bombshell Brigitte Bardot’s movie And God Created Women in 1965, and soon after in the hedonistic Grand Prix and super yacht playground of Monaco’s moneyed Monte Carlo.
Nikki Beach Saint Tropez
Unveiling its far-famed debut in 2002, Nikki’s glossy Saint Tropez hamlet holds no bars in unashamedly parading its polished prestige as Nikki Beach’s first bona fide European settlement, pinpointed deep within the high-net worth retreat of the French Riviera on the sheltered bay of Pampelonne Beach, with crystal aquamarine waves sweeping onto untouched, powder fine white sand.
A shimmery beachwear boutique gave way to a maze of lustrous bamboo walkways to lead their guests into the restaurant space clad in the signature white and wood seating, potted plants and dainty fairy lights and hemp rope chandeliers suspended on colossal Herculean trees. Ideal for a slither of shady solace while neighbouring an ebony black Salon Dom Pérignon, while the newly-opened Butterfly Bar offers a more calming hideout.
No sooner had I slipped into my snow-hued throne, the rose rounds of Domaine Ott ‘Clos Mireille vino’ commenced and descended onto the tables in its welcomed abundance. Revealing a pink pastel shade with a pearl tint chilled to impeccable perfection, a tangy burst of mango was met with the raspberries floral flavours, finished with ripe white peach for an effortless drinking experience before I commenced the luncheon to sample an array of dining delights.
Heading up the domain for Nikki Beach Global we have non other than the epicurean maestro and corporate executive chef, that is Alessandro (Alex) Pizza. Born to Italian parents in the UK’s historic culture sanctum of Cambridge, chef Alex has been a cherished pinnacle influence in the brand’s rotating menu since 2002, ever victorious in his culinary crusade garnered from his valuable career experiences ranging from the picturesque Italian Alps, to London’s thriving worldly gourmet scene including the Michelin landmark of Teca.
His parade of wholesome uncomplicated ingredients, paired with the worldly fusion flavours plucked from their far-reaching Nikki destinations continues to reap the rewards and bedazzle discerning gastronomical advocates galore, and rival even the most iconic Michelin magnates.
Freshly plucked from the oceanic banks, the slow baked sea bass released myriad warming tastes from the Mediterranean including buttery salted olives and almond tinted artichokes, whereas the soft summer burrata appeared in a colossal portion, lavishly amassed with large truffle shavings as the velvety interior contents enveloped into the peppery helpings of arugula.
The Entrecôte steak was concluded a headline highlight with the charcoal barbecue flavours blended into the butter soft, prime Argentinian grass cut. No Nikki Mecca should be recorded mission accomplished sans Nikki Beach’s famous sushi boat; daring as it was devilish, in a burst of rainbow shades making mouths water, and Instagram counts soar into the lofty figures.
Dessert fanatics can rejoice over the cookie, as its moist warm contents revealed lustrous melted chocolate to demolish with smooth vanilla bean ice cream, whereas the cheesecake offering uncovered a dusky crumbled toffee-like base hiding under a airy whipped, yet rich, filling that keeps you digging in for more.
With the leisurely soirée affairs certified a triumph, the serene setup soon transformed into a pulsating high octane mode, as I journeyed over to the buffed up polished crowds populating around the glitterati headquarters of the sun-soaked pool quarter.
As the afternoon escapades of hedonistic summer debauchery revved up a gear with the club hit playlist in bass-thumping action, the club’s carefree and party worshipping hosts had soon amassed to join into the bouncy revelry equipped with smoke flares, sparklers, and epic champagne magnums to keep those flutes topped up.
Just as a statuesque, bronzed chiselled with flaxen flowing locks sashayed ceaselessly, before striking a pose in the sassy attire picked from the on-site emporium, the time had dawned to savour the last of my rose content and reluctantly make my departure from the venue that defined the epitome of ‘joie de vivre’. Albeit to retox, detox, and repeat the festivity escapades in Monte Carlo.
Nikki Beach Monte Carlo
Revelling in its eighth birthday and a chic refurb renaissance, Nikki Beach Monte Carlo holds no inhibitions in a brazen exhibition of their top-drawer rooftop habitat, perched on the seventh floor of the coequally dapper settings of the Fairmont Monte Carlo hotel and resort, which chose its nest in the billionaire core of Monaco.
Welcomed into the gateway entrance, acting as the revamped lounge space, a shabby chic boho ensemble was unveiled with emerald hued botanicals sprinkled around hand-woven raffia furnishings, not forgetting the addition of a new glamorous shisha bar. This paved the path to the restaurant and bar embracing its new-fangled apparel with gleaming wooden accessories, untainted mighty parasols towering over the voile draped cabanas, and cushioned daybeds circling the powder blue toned rooftop pool, enticing its ravishing invitees as the ripples lavished in the balmy sun drenched beams.
Little, however, could match the pièce de résistance of this airy jamboree refuge; the spellbinding panoramic backdrop spilling with views that never ceases in its quest to religiously keep their richling Monegasques and elite visitors in suspended rapture. The pristine coast, twinned with the pageantry of the Principality of Monaco plus THAT hairpin bend of the Grand Prix Circuit, is forever destined to provoke the green-eyed spirit in those die hard Formula One and luxe living disciples.
I sipped and savoured cocktail creations of a spiced margarita flowing with the coconut tinted Avion Stvec Moula and a zesty lemon buzz, following a ruby ripe fruit and silken smooth Beluga vodka fusion of the red mule, before indulging into the toothsome fiesta fare.
The piping hot pizza burrata oozed with lashings of the creamed cheese, mixed with smoky mozzarella and seasoned tomatoes as the air was perfumed with the powerful aromas of deep black truffle while the animated hosts dished out the truffle tuna tartare, generously packing a punch with thick meat like tuna slices, shallots and sweet tangy pomegranate.
Serving as a slice of Miami magic to the table was the self-styled Miami Beach chicken Caesar salad, loaded with tender grilled breast pieces topped upon crisp baby gem lightly coated in the heavily guarded recipe of Nikki’s signature sauce, and the final crunch of herbed crouton topping, parmesan and deep woodsy mushrooms.
The team cannot be faulted when it comes to delivering first string beef sliders, with tender marbled Angus encased inside freshly whole grain buns, whereas no expense was spared on the truffle fries enveloped in priceless earthy slices sprinkled onto golden crisp fluffy potatoes. I dug in before strutting back and succumbing to my poolside boudoir for a post meridiem loll; cosmopolitan cocktail in hand, of course.
In a nutshell
Right from the beach club’s opening cues, the fetching crowds and equally charismatic hosts of Nikki Beach display not a hint of relent, to keep the party as fiery as the province’s peak sunshine seconds. Bejewelled swimsuits are steadily traded for chic Versace attires and diamond encrusted Jimmy Choos, as copious chilled champagne flutes are savoured and replenished and the DJs amp up their riveting spin tunes to create an intoxicating ambience ’til the moment the clock strikes their respective twilight closing hours.
As we steadily reach the pinnacle of this awe-inspiring, milestone occasion, the time is rife to raise a rose to a bright-eyed soul, who has breathed life into an illuminati empire brimming with a demure modest ethos. No reprint, however brazenly bountiful, will have the flair in capturing the raw essence that is Nikki’s spirit.
Factbox
Nikki Beach Saint Tropez keeps its doors open for the season until September 17, while Nikki Beach Monte Carlo remains open until October 1.
Saint Tropez:
Address: 1093 Chem. de l’epi 83350 Ramatuelle, France
Telephone: +334 94 798 204
Website: saint-tropez.nikkibeach.com
Monte Carlo:
Address: 12 Avenue des Spelugues, 98000 Monaco, Monte Carlo
Telephone: +377 93 300 700
Website: monte-carlo.nikkibeach.com
All imagery credit: Nikki Beach Global
