JEDDAH: On arrival at Six Senses Southern Dunes — a Red Sea Global resort — we were greeted by a “Six Drums” ritual “inspired by the resort’s guiding philosophy.” The “sixth sense” is interpreted here as intuition.
That concept runs through the resort — staff are apparently trained to anticipate guests’ needs in regard to comfort and wellbeing, shaping a sense of calm that feels immediate and intentional.
One of the first surprises was a free around-the-clock gelato wheel offering a range of flavors, many locally inspired. The standout for me was mango from Umluj with Saudi coffee, full of flavors that reflected familiar Arabian notes of cardamom, saffron, cloves and roasted beans.
One of the most striking visual elements of the resort is the network of umbrella-like installations, shaped like desert flowers, strategically positioned throughout to provide shade and relief from the sun while also becoming sculptural features in their own right.
(Photo by Nada Hameed)
