Six Senses Southern Dunes opens in Saudi

Six Senses Southern Dunes

Six Senses Southern Dunes opens in Saudi

November 11, 2024

Six Senses Southern Dunes is a wellness-centric desert retreat that combines sustainable design with experiences such as astronomy sessions and cooking classes. Olivia Palamountain reports

Six Senses Southern Dunes, which opened in November 2023, is a 76-room resort, located 45 minutes from the new Red Sea International Airport.

Designed by Foster + Partners, the resort pays homage to Nabataean heritage, with its buildings arranged to take advantage of the surrounding dunes.

The British architects chose lightweight materials instead of heat-absorbing stone or concrete to reduce dependence on artificial cooling. Many components were fabricated offsite to create an energy-efficient construction process.Amplifying the the resort's sustainable design, it is powered entirely by its own solar farm and features more than 150 EV charging stations.

The resort's 36 guest rooms and suites, arranged around the central Oasis complex, feature open-plan living spaces and outdoor terraces offering panoramic views across the wadi and desert dunes.

An additional 40 pool villas, ranging from one to four bedrooms, have been strategically positioned to maximise views of the desert peaks.

Their distinctive design includes double-layered undulating roofs that mirror the surrounding dune formations, while interiors reflect the desert environment with soft furnishings inspired by traditional Bedouin tribal dress patterns and colours.

At its heart lies the Oasis, a self-shading canopy inspired by desert flowers, which houses various activities under one roof.Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea The vast 4,000-square-foot spa spans two floors, complete with six treatment rooms, a gym, two pools and a pool bar overlooking desert panoramas.

The spa uses smart technology to measure guests' inner health, movement and sleep patterns, so that its wellness experts can tailor treatments, activities and nutritional advice to specific needs.

Guests at Six Senses can participate in activities ranging from stargazing with local astrologers to Red Sea fishing tours, weaving with local artisans and cooking classes. The resort's five dining venues include a gelato parlour and fine-dining restaurant Al Sarab.

Rooms at Six Senses Southern Dunes start from £1,371 per night, including breakfast.

The opening follows the launch of The St. Regis Red Sea Resort on Ummahat Island in the Al Wajh Lagoon and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

A further 21 resorts planned across The Red Sea and AMAALA destinations over the next 18 months, including Shebara, the latest to open in November, 2024.

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