Six Senses Southern Dunes offers an extraordinary desert escape where modern luxury and ancient traditions converge. Located in Saudi Arabia’s striking Alnesai desert, this eco-conscious resort combines sustainability with wellness, creating an experience that rejuvenates both body and mind. With its LEED Platinum certification, solar-powered energy, and treatments inspired by ancient rituals, the resort provides guests with a unique opportunity to relax, recharge, and explore. Whether seeking tranquility, adventure, or a deep connection with nature, this resort promises a one-of-a-kind journey.
Urban hotels, beach resorts, ancient castles, futuristic designs, bubble hotels, treehouses… there are countless ways in which hotels aim to surprise us with unique experiences. Yet, there’s one kind that truly offers an escape—perhaps because it’s such a contrast to our daily lives. These are the hotels situated deep in the desert. Here, tranquility blends with complete disconnection, interrupted only by a delicious meal, a soothing spa treatment, or a refreshing swim in the pool. Watching the endless sunsets, these places offer the perfect opportunity to reconnect with yourself.
Add to this the allure of a stunning desert location and the renowned Six Senses brand, and the result is more than just a winning combination—it’s a captivating choice for a getaway that will leave a lasting impression on your travels.
The Six Senses Southern Dunes is one of the latest additions to the Six Senses portfolio and the first-ever resort to open within Red Sea Global’s The Red Sea Project in Saudi Arabia. Designed by renowned British architects Foster + Partners, this stunning remote destination is a structural marvel, crafted with both beauty and sustainability in mind. Inspired by a desert flower, its self-shading central oasis serves as the heart of the property, which pays homage to the Nabataean heritage of the Red Sea coast. The resort’s construction thoughtfully incorporates desert-friendly materials that naturally reduce the need for artificial cooling, while prioritising an energy-efficient building process and regenerative elements wherever possible. As the first LEED Platinum resort in the kingdom, it operates entirely on solar-powered electricity, has its own water plant, and supports local artisans. With a commitment to sustainability, it sources locally-grown food, uses electric vehicles, and boasts a lighting system that protects local wildlife and enhances its astrotourism appeal. The resort also embraces innovative waste-reduction, recycling, and reuse practices, making it a true pioneer in sustainable luxury.
Nestled in the Alnesai desert, at the heart of Red Sea Global’s ambitious Red Sea project—which spans 28,000 square kilometres of reef-rich seas, islands, and desert—the resort is about an hour’s drive from the newly opened Red Sea International Airport. Alternatively, guests can fly in from AlUla or Jeddah Airports, both located approximately four and five-and-a-half hours away by car, respectively. From nearly every corner of the resort, visitors are treated to breathtaking views of the rugged Hijaz Mountains, the Khuff formation, and the soft, golden dunes that inspired the hotel’s name.
This exceptional enclave is part of the ambitious Red Sea Development Project on the west coast of the country. It is more than a haven of serenity; it is a tribute to authenticity, Saudi hospitality and the richness of Islamic culture. Here, the landscapes are spectacular: volcanic craters, desert dunes and archaeological jewels, all tellers of ancestral stories.
At Six Senses Southern Dunes life takes on a new dimension. The architecture and every detail reflect the Bedouin heritage, offering a unique experience. The connection with nature is palpable, and each sunset becomes a poem that only the desert can compose. This is a trip where every moment becomes an adventure in the beauty of the region, from the intimacy of your accommodation to the wonders of the surrounding culture.
REFUGE IN THE DUNES
Each accommodation is a true reflection of the desert’s essence and the rich local culture, blending modern luxury with timeless Bedouin traditions. With 36 rooms and suites, along with 40 pool villas, the resort is thoughtfully designed to provide an intimate and immersive experience, strategically placed to offer the utmost privacy and incredible views. Inspired by the flowing dunes, the architecture features undulating roofs, creating a unique aesthetic that harmonizes beautifully with the desert landscape. Inside, the interiors embrace the warm, earthy tones of the desert and the vibrant color palette of traditional Bedouin dress, offering guests a seamless connection to the surroundings.
Among the standout accommodations are the 250 m² Retreat and Sunset Retreat villas, designed to provide expansive spaces perfect for relaxation and reflection. These villas are ideal for everything from yoga sessions and leisurely breakfasts to simply soaking in the magnificent views of the desert dunes and mountain peaks. Each villa promises a truly incomparable experience, with ample space for privacy and comfort. Across the resort, all rooms and villas are generously sized, with expansive terraces that serve as outdoor living rooms, perfect for enjoying the serene landscape. The villas, particularly those with private pools, offer an added layer of luxury, with the largest options featuring up to four bedrooms, transforming them into private retreats. All accommodations come equipped with a range of thoughtful amenities, including organic cotton bathrobes, eco-friendly yoga mats, sustainable toiletries, and high-tech features like Bluetooth speakers and charging ports. With such attention to detail, every corner of the resort is designed to encourage deep relaxation and a true connection to both nature and luxury.
FLAVOURS OF THE DESERT
At Six Senses Southern Dunes, dining is an integral part of the immersive experience, guided by the brand’s philosophy of healthy, sustainable eating. The resort offers a variety of seven dining options, each thoughtfully designed to reflect the region’s culture and provide guests with nourishing yet indulgent food. From the all-day restaurant Bariya, where breakfast kicks off with a revitalising “Rocket Fuel” shot, to the Arabic tapas and mocktails at Merkaz, every meal is a celebration of local and seasonal ingredients. For a more interactive experience, guests can take part in cooking classes at the chef’s table, where they learn to create plant-based Middle Eastern dishes, gluten-free treats, and more.
The resort’s dining venues offer a range of flavours, from light bites and freshly prepared snacks to indulgent meals with a view. The Pool Bar & Grill serves a delicious selection of resort-style dishes like garden ceviche and tempura hammour tacos, all paired perfectly with creative, alcohol-free cocktails. For something more refined, Al Sarab offers exquisite Arabic fine dining, using locally-sourced ingredients like camel cheese, seafood, and fish, all while guests take in the extraordinary sunsets over the Red Sea. And don’t miss the 24-hour Gelato Pod, offering complimentary gelato and sorbet in unique flavours such as sumac and cashew, basil and za’atar, and Saudi coffee. The dining experience at Six Senses Southern Dunes is not only about food—it’s about creating a memorable, sustainable, and health-conscious journey for the senses.
A SANCTUARY OF TRANQUILITY AND REJUVENATION
Six Senses takes wellness to a whole new level with its expansive spa, which spans nearly 4,000 square meters of serene luxury. The spa offers an impressive range of facilities, including six treatment rooms, a meditation dome, dedicated salons for both women and men, a Holistic Anti-Aging Centre, and a biohacking lounge. It’s a space designed to restore mind, body, and soul with treatments that blend modern techniques with ancient traditions.
The spa’s offerings extend beyond individual treatments to include multi-day wellness programs tailored to address sleep, detox, and weight management. Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy a well-equipped gym, along with outdoor fitness stations scattered across the property. These quirky, nature-inspired installations – featuring wooden Tarzan ladders and weights that evoke the spirit of Bedrock – provide a fun yet effective way to work out amidst the stunning desert backdrop. From aerial yoga to breathwork and meditation, Six Senses ensures that every wellness need is met with personalized attention and care, offering guests a comprehensive and deeply rejuvenating experience.
ECO-CONSCIOUS LUXURY
Sustainability lies at the core of Six Senses Southern Dunes, and the resort is committed to operating with the utmost respect for the environment. As the first LEED Platinum-certified resort in Saudi Arabia, it proudly runs entirely on solar energy, ensuring an eco-conscious stay for guests. The resort is designed to minimize energy consumption, with features such as intelligent building management systems, energy-efficient appliances, and the strategic use of natural light. Water efficiency is a priority, with the installation of water-saving fixtures and a greywater irrigation system. The resort also boasts its own water plant, providing still and sparkling water in reusable bottles, in line with its plastic-free policy.
The property has implemented 131 sustainable operations guidelines, including heat recovery technology, smart filtration systems for superior air quality, and copper-silver ionization treated pools to eliminate chemicals. Beyond infrastructure, the resort is deeply committed to conservation, symbolized by the Arabian Red Fox—a species native to the region but vulnerable due to habitat loss. In partnership with local artisans, Six Senses has created Duney, a quirky soft toy made from eco-friendly materials, with all proceeds supporting rewilding efforts. Guests can further immerse themselves in sustainability through the resort’s Earth Lab, offering hands-on workshops like making natural body scrubs and traditional miswak toothbrushes. The resort’s commitment to sustainability extends to its surroundings, with 60 percent of its irrigation needs met by native plant species, reflecting a deep respect for both the environment and local heritage.
