Six Senses, a part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has signed a hotel management agreement with AUla Development Company, a unit of Public Investment Fund (PIF), to open its key development - Six Senses AlUla - in the ancient Saudi city in the next four years.

 

Home to the ancient Nabatean civilisation, this once important trading destination, strategically placed along the historical spice route connecting east and west, pays homage to centuries of human history and culture.

 

Today, the immaculately preserved monumental tombs, replete with elaborately decorated facades dating from the 1st century BC to 1st century AD, make AlUla the Kingdom’s first Unesco World Heritage site. 

 

The agreement was signed by Fabien Toscano, Chief Executive Officer of AlUla Development Company, and Neil Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Six Senses, in the presence of AlUla Development Company Managing Director Naif AlHamdan, at the Maraya Concert Hall.

 

As per the deal, Six Senses AlUla will open in a prime position within a spectacular natural oasis sprinkled with lush palm groves and framed by dramatic red-sandstone cliffs. 

 

It aims to enhance this thrilling destination by preserving the cultural and architectural treasures on show within its 1,200,000 sq m landscape and providing guests a walk-on part amongst the swirl of ancient myths and stories.

 

"With surroundings this magnificent, the 100 guest villas and 25 residences will be built using architectural methods that blend stealthily into it, unadorned by unnecessary fuss yet radiant in their ability to create the ultimate wow factor," stated Toscano.

 

Arabian adventures

 

Once open, immersive guest experiences will include strolling freely among Arabian wonders, witnessing the echoes of history etched on tomb walls, and entering another realm of light and beauty as the stars begin to paint the sky. 

 

"Handcrafted experiences will include sunrise yoga and meditation classes, moon bathing, evening singing bowl ceremonies, and moon and starlit dining," he added.

 

Six Senses Spa will be a place of deep serenity, forming part of the guest journey towards self-expansion and expression with locally inspired treatments taking guests on a unique Arabian wellness adventure.

 

There will also be opportunities to help preserve the Arabian leopard – an important and symbolic creature in the Kingdom’s culture and ecosystem – as part of the brand’s track record as an environmental steward committed to preserving the precious wildlife that inhabits its communities.

 

Epicurean journeys

 

Enhancing the resort’s in-house culinary experiences will be dramatic destination dining possibilities among natural geological rock formations and caves. The walls of the restaurants transplant guests back in time, as they’re surrounded by rock drawings dating back thousands of years.

 

Through the brand’s Eat With Six Senses food and drink philosophy, the luxury development will bring out the best of the region’s cuisine and seasonal produce: from chef’s tables to exciting pop-ups, and one-off special moments to cultural cooking classes, there will be something for everyone.