About this hotel
General information
Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea lies in open desert inland from the Red Sea coast, where sandy plains meet the Hijaz Mountains along the line of the ancient incense trade route. The architecture takes its cue from the region’s Nabataean heritage: low, sand-coloured buildings follow the lie of the land, gathered around the Oasis, the resort’s central complex of restaurants, pool and spa.
There are 36 rooms and suites close to the Oasis and 40 private pool villas scattered across the dunes, each placed for a view of the mountains or the sunset. The villas’ double-layered, undulating roofs echo the shape of the dunes; inside, the palette is sand and stone, and the fabrics borrow the colours and patterns of traditional Bedouin dress. The resort is open all year, with the mildest weather from October to March.
Location
The resort sits in the desert on the outskirts of Umluj, a short way inland from the coast. From Red Sea International Airport the drive takes 45 minutes to an hour, heading south-east along the coastal highway before turning inland through desert mountains and narrow wadis. Al Wajh airport is about an hour away by car and Yanbu airport two hours. Private car transfers are arranged in advance, and valet parking is available for guests who drive themselves.
Spa
The 3,974 m² Six Senses Spa is laid out over two floors: a gym with desert views upstairs, and below it six treatment rooms (two of them doubles, one with a rasul), a single hammam, two outdoor treatment cabanas with a relaxation area, a sensory suite with a meditation dome, a vitality pool and shaded water features. The changing areas have an infrared salt sauna, a sauna, a steam room, a cold plunge pool and a relaxation area. There is also a hair and nail salon, a barber, the Alchemy Bar, a juice bar and a herb garden, and frankincense runs through the treatments. The spa is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00.
Sports & leisure
Beyond the heated outdoor pool and a fitness suite with a personal trainer, spin, yoga and aerial yoga classes, the resort offers plenty of ways into the desert and down to the coast:
- Path of the Dunes — wadi walks and mountain hikes, e-quads, dune buggies and sandboarding
- Arabian Astronomy — evenings under the stars on how Arabian astronomers read the night sky; bird watching too
- Artisan Village — four pods devoted to the region’s crafts, dance and music, plus Sadu weaving sessions
- Cooking School — an introduction to local cuisine
- Cinema Under the Stars — films on sun loungers beneath the palms
- Blue Depth Discovery — Red Sea outings with a guided double dive on the reef, outer-reef snorkelling or a private snorkel guide
- Ocean Flow and Sea Thrill — stand-up paddleboarding (including electric SUP and SUP yoga), kayaking and other watersports
- Golf on Shura Island, with the Red Sea alongside the course
For children
Grow With Six Senses runs indoor and outdoor activities for children on a weekly schedule. Wadi Ranger is a one-hour guided outing in which young explorers learn how the wadi was formed and what it takes to live in the desert, and the Cooking School holds afternoon workshops for younger guests. A nanny and babysitting service is available on request with at least 24 hours’ notice.
Restaurants & bars
The cooking draws on the culinary traditions of the incense route and on locally sourced produce, with in-room dining around the clock.
- Bariya — all-day dining: breakfast with regional and international dishes, then themed live stations, an Arabic à la carte menu and dishes from around the world at lunch and dinner
- Merkaz — brew bar at the heart of the Oasis, indoors and out: snacks and Arabic tapas by day, themed dinners under the stars
- Al Sarab — regional speciality restaurant and bar: contemporary dishes with Saudi and Middle Eastern flavours on a degustation menu
- Pool Bar & Grill — drinks in the morning by the pool, then ceviche, salads, grills and pizza from lunch until sunset
- Cooking School & Chef’s Table — cooking lunches for adults and, in the evening, a private dinner hosted by the executive chef
- Gelato Pod — house-made ice cream, gelato and pastries in the Oasis
- Destination & In-Villa Dining — meals in the villa or in unusual spots in and around the resort
Swimming
As a desert resort it has no beach. The Oasis has an outdoor, temperature-controlled pool, the spa adds a vitality pool and cold plunge pools, and all 40 villas have their own private pool.
Pets
Pets are not permitted at the resort.
Rooms
The 36 rooms and suites around the Oasis combine an open-plan bedroom and living area with a terrace looking over the wadi and the dunes. The 40 pool villas, with one to four bedrooms, face the mountains or the sunset, and villa guests have a dedicated GEM (Guest Experience Maker).
Each room has a walk-in shower and bathtub, a terrace with a hanging day bed, a yoga mat, a pillow menu and a Naturalmat organic mattress, organic cotton bathrobes, a minibar with homemade snacks, coffee and tea, satellite TV, a Bluetooth speaker, a wireless charger, a safe, a hair dryer, high-speed Wi-Fi, individual air conditioning and an umbrella.
Wadi Room
On the same level as the Oasis, with wadi views and a terrace with a hanging day bed; a king bed or twin beds, a walk-in closet, walk-in shower and bathtub. Sleeps two.
Wadi Suite
Separate living and dining rooms, a guest powder room and a king bed, with a terrace of hanging day beds and sunbeds facing the wadi and the dunes. Sleeps three.
One Bedroom Pool Villa
One bedroom with a king bed, a private pool, an outdoor shower and a terrace with mountain views. Sleeps three.
One Bedroom Sunset Pool Villa
A one-bedroom villa with a king bed and private pool, set among the dunes for sunset views from the terrace. Sleeps three.
Two Bedroom Pool Villa
A living and dining room with one king bedroom and one twin bedroom, each with a walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom, plus a private pool and terrace with mountain views. Sleeps three.
Two Bedroom Sunset Pool Villa
One king bedroom and one with two queen beds, a spacious living and dining room, a private pool and a terrace facing the sunset over the mountains. Sleeps five.
The Retreat
A secluded three-bedroom villa (two king bedrooms and one twin), each bedroom with a balcony and en-suite bathroom, plus a cinema room, office, pantry, private pool and mountain views. Sleeps eight.
The Sunset Retreat
Three bedrooms (two king, one queen) with balconies, a cinema room, an office, a private pool and sunset views. Sleeps eight.
The Sunset Reserve
Four bedrooms (two king, two queen), a fully fitted kitchen and large pantry, a large cinema room, an office, a private pool and generous outdoor space for entertaining; booked on enquiry. Sleeps ten.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.