25 Oct 2017
Six Senses to open first resort in Israel
BY Jane Kitchen
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas will open a resort in the Negev Desert in late 2018 – its first property in Israel.
Nestled into a dramatic cliff with panoramic views of the desert, the Six Senses Shaharut will be located in the small community of Shaharut, which translates as 'the moment just before dawn'. It will include 58 suites and villas, including a three-bedroom retreat.
The architecture of the resort has been designed to integrate the desert topography while preserving its natural terrain. The villas will be built from, and inspired by, local rocks and pigments, and the landscape will utilise regional cacti and indigenous desert blooms. Exterior lighting will be designed to avoid light pollution at night in order to preserve the clarity of the starry sky. Many furnishing elements of the resort will be sourced from a partnership with local community artisans.
A Six Senses Spa will offer a layered approach to wellness and will include the Six Senses Integrated Wellness programme, which is based on the preventative principles of Eastern medicine and results-oriented Western influences. The approach allows in-house experts to measure and analyse key physiological biomarkers in order to provide guests with lifestyle and nutritional advice as well as a personalised programme of spa treatments, fitness and wellness activities.
Facilities will include a 262ft (18m) indoor swimming pool, 80ft (25m) outdoor lap pool, fully equipped gym, yoga studio with desert views, alchemy bar, and a nail bar.
The resort will also be home to a desert activity centre that will incorporate Six Senses’ ‘Earth Lab’ scheme and showcase its sustainability efforts. Guests will be invited to visit the Earth Lab to reconnect with the natural world and learn simple life-hacks that will allow them to make a difference.
There will be functioning camel stables with an arena and grooming area, as well as an open-air amphitheatre created from the natural terrain contours and transformed into a Cinema Paradiso beneath the stars.
A tented Bedouin dining experience will also be created at the heart of the resort’s oasis, complete with a fire pit for late-night feasting using centuries-old sand-cooking techniques. The resort will also offer additional activities including mountain climbing, mountain biking, camel safaris, craft workshops, bird watching and wine tours.
In respect of the environment, the resort will only feature electric cars throughout the property.
“We’re very excited to announce this magical Six Senses project in the desert of Israel,” said Neil Jacobs, Six Senses CEO. “Working with Arava Vineyards Ltd on Six Senses Shaharut has allowed us to align with a company that shares our vision of sustainability and wellness.”
Six Senses was named the world's 'Top Hotel Brand' by the readers of Conde Nast earlier this year.
Meanwhile, this month at the Global Wellness Summit, Jacobs was awarded the 'Leader in Sustainability Award.'
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