How to spend 48 hours at Six Senses Southern Dunes
The hidden gem of the Red Sea properties
The Red Sea megaproject is home to a brilliant string of hotels, each with a special little something that sets it apart. For Six Senses Southern Dunes, it’s wellness that’s at the heart of the operation, with an unwavering focus on holistic wellbeing.
Opening its doors as the first resort to open at The Red Sea back in 2023, Six Senses Southern Dunes is located within the endless landscape of the Khuff dunes on the outskirts of Umluj, along the historic incense trade route.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Hijaz Mountains, the property offers what we call ‘wellness with a side of whimsy’.
Designed by Foster + Partners, Six Senses Southern Dunes pays homage to Nabataean architectural heritage and the majestic desert surroundings near the Red Sea coast. The resort is home to 36 cushy rooms and suites, plus another glorious 40 luxury villas in five categories, an outdoor pool, a fitness centre, and the world-class Six Senses Spa (but more on that later).
And if you’re still not convinced, let us tell you how to spend 48 hours at Six Senses Southern Dunes.
For the foodies
Bariya
Your day begins at Bariya, and trust us, it’s the perfect start. Picture floor-length windows bathing the space in gorgeous, golden natural light, setting the tone for the day ahead. Here, you can look forward to cold displays and hot à la carte items for breakfast, along with a menu of regional Arabic cuisine, international favourites that prioritise health and well-being, and themed live stations.
Merkaz
Located near the oasis area, this quaint brew bar and restaurant is the perfect lunch sanctuary. Serving plant-based snacks, Arabic tapas, and hearty lunch fare during the day and special themed menus for dinner, paired with locally inspired non-alcoholic cocktails, Merkaz is an ideal place for a quiet moment of reflection
Pool Bar & Grill
And when you want to cool down, head out to the Pool Bar & Grill. And while you already know that it’s located by the pool, what you don’t know is just how stunning the pool actually is. At 800 square metres, surrounded by rows and rows of white lounge chairs and private cabanas. Look forward to enjoying a range of drinks and refreshments in the morning and soulful ceviche and salad, grills, and pizza from lunch until sunset.
Al Sarab
The real showstopper – although that’s not to say that the rest of the restaurants aren’t amazing too – but this one; it just has a special place in our hearts. Al Sarab, meaning “mirage” in Arabic, draws inspiration from local folklore and the surrounding dunes. Soaring above the dunes overlooking one of the most spectacular sunset vistas in the Red Sea, you can look forward to contemporary-styled dishes with authentic flavours from Saudi Arabia and the Middle East as part of a degustation menu. It’s the perfect place to watch the world go by and let the beauty of the sunset take you away. We’d recommend duck saleg and the beef cheek kabsa (we’re still dreaming about these).
For the wellness aficionados
Skin analysis
Using non-invasive probes and customised software, Skin Instant Lab at the resort provides a full skin diagnosis and accurate results, which allow therapists to design a personalised treatment just for you. The analysis isn’t just limited to manual evaluation of the skin; there’s also software that helps identify water loss, lipid barrier function, elasticity, pigmentation levels, and oil balance to figure out exactly what you need and create a personalised plan.
Wellness scan
This non-invasive analysis measures your key biomarkers and helps the resident experts understand what your body really needs. It’s simple, it’s quick, and the readings, along with a discussion about your lifestyle, are used in the design of a treatment or a bespoke multi-day programme specific to your needs.
Biohacking
The key to biohacking is finding ways to feel better faster. At the resort, experts use smart tech to optimise your body’s natural processes so you can recover quicker, look your best, and make the most of your time with us. Hacks include compression therapy, pain relief, instant tension release, and more.
Yoga program
Immerse yourself in daily hatha yoga practice to maintain body and mind balance. Relieve stress, tension and muscle stiffness, and keep the body strong, centred, powerful and flexible while learning to quiet the mind.
Sleep analysis
Have trouble getting to sleep or sleeping through the night? The sleep programme at the resort helps you improve your sleep patterns, restore energy levels, de-stress, and establish a sustainable sleep routine. The end goal? To help you feel better equipped to face daily challenges or pave the way to a healthier and happier life.
Activities
Sadu Weaving
Sadu weaving has just been recognised by UNESCO as one of the Kingdom’s important intangible cultural assets. The knowledge about this ancient craft is typically handed down through generations of Bedouin women, across different Gulf countries, who still use a traditional loom to weave their cloth. You can learn all about the ancient art from seasoned local artisans.
Cinema under the stars
Does it truly ever get better than watching a movie under the stars? As the sun sets on your wonderful day at Six Senses At Southern Dunes, you can catch a classic at the open-air outdoor cinema, where classics unfold under a breathtaking canopy of the stars along with homemade popcorn. There is a weekly film schedule for all guests, but if you wish to have a more private experience, screenings can also be arranged for couples, families, or groups.
Cooking school
We did say wellness with a side of whimsy. The resort is a full-blown experience for the eyes, mind, body, soul, and, of course, your tummy. And if you’re in the mood to pick up a new skill or at least the inner workings of a dish, check out the cooking school. Here, you can sample regional cuisines or learn specific recipes such as Dim Sum, new plant-based alternatives, or even Arabian classics like kebab, baba ganoush, etc.
The books
This is one of those if you haven’t stayed there, you wouldn’t know’ type things. Everywhere you turn, there is a wonderful display of books of all genres, be it in your room, at reception, in the community lounge, or even in the spa; books are always around (much to the delight of this author). So, if you’ve forgotten to pack your read and a vacation isn’t complete without reading a book on the sun lounger (guilty), you can ask to borrow anything that catches your eye. Just be sure to leave it in your room when you’re done.
Adventure
Like all other Red Sea properties, the inland adventures and sports are all powered by Akun. Take your pick between walking and hiking trails; e-biking and quad-biking experiences through the dunes; land adventures like sandboarding and archery.
Up the ante and try one of the climbing experiences (beginner and advanced levels), abseiling, ziplining, via ferrata, and scrambling (Wadi Marakh, Shagayge Al Theeb, and Al Salaa).
If you (like this reporter) love stargazing, you’ll be delighted to know that there are also astronomy experiences (Arabian and AlAyali Albeidh), to truly immerse you in the world of stars and the folklore that’s shaped our understanding of the glorious orbs above.
The spa
The Six Senses Southern Dunes Spa is one of the most extensive spas we’ve ever been to. And we’re not just saying this (cross our hearts). The wellness haven is home to six treatment rooms, including two double treatment rooms (one with a Rasul), a single hammam, two outdoor cabanas for treatments, male and female changing rooms equipped with infrared salt saunas, regular saunas, cold plunge pools, steam rooms, and relaxation areas.
Women can look forward to a hair and nail salon; gents can make their way to a male barber. If you need to get a workout in, make your way to the fitness suite with personal training space and classes including spin, aerial yoga, and traditional yoga. When there, you can rehydrate at the Alchemy Bar and Juice Bar.
Our favourite part? The glorious outdoor vitality pool, which can actually be used to perform water massages and sound healing baths too.
Where: Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, Southern Dunes Site 14, The Red Sea Development, Umluj, 48321, Saudi Arabia.
Contact:+966 14 514 1414.
Visit: @sixsensessoutherndunes
