At first we were confused. Meydan – isn’t that where they race horses? Yet a cursory Google reveals there’s far more to the brand than horoughbreds. Meydan also runs the Bab Al Shams resort, out in the desert south of Dubai, and now it’s launched this pricey beach club on the edge of The Walk at JBR.

It’s already attracting more talk than the group could have imagined, although much of it focuses on a row with nearby residents, who were once promised use of the speculative club before the land was sold to Meydan. Unfortunately, because of a Dhs500-a-day price tag, it’s likely only a small proportion of those residents will venture inside.

Thankfully you can bypass the daily fee, at any hour, and soak up the prime beach vista (if not all that shiny gym equipment) by visiting one of two bars: the daytime Infinity Pool Bar (open daily 10am until 7pm), and the new nightspot, Chillout Lounge which opens from 6pm. Yet with mixed drinks costing a cool Dhs75, you might find yourself clocking up a bill close to the day rate during an evening here. So is it worth it?

There’s a lot to like about the entirely al-fresco Chillout Lounge. Get here in time for sunset and the view is stunning. The decor is a cool mix of chic white and retro patterns, with wide comfy couches and little tables on which to nestle drinks and snacks while you lounge. Service is just the right side of attentive versus invasive, and there is some serious mixology at work. Having said that, there’s no knockout sucker-punch to bowl you over, nothing to cause a sharp inhale of breath. The basics are done to perfection, but it’s nothing we haven’t seen before.

Geographically, the bar sits slap-bang between its two greatest competitors: Jetty Lounge at the One&Only Royal Mirage to the north, and Bliss Lounge at the Sheraton Jumeirah to the south. How this place will fare remains to be seen; it was still just too warm to be comfortable when we visited during opening week, but the bar had already attracted a fair smattering of visitors. As the heat dulls in coming weeks, we expect to see crowds flocking in.