NOVEMBER 08 © Spa Management Journal

ARABIAN ADVENTURES

Beyond the skyscrapers and theme parks of Dubai,

Bernard Burt discovers authentic Arabian adventures
in the Sultanate of Oman at Six Senses Hideaway

by Bernard Burt

Bare mountains loom above Zighy Bay, an isolated cove on the northern Musandam peninsula of the Sultanate of Oman that borders Dubai. Getting here by car was a two-hour trek across flat desert. Fishing villages dot the sandy landscape against the deep blue Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. Crossing the border, waved on by an armed guard (thanks to reciprocal visa), I transfer from Mercedes to boat.

The email from Six Senses Hideaway in Oman was my first clue to the unique adventure: Choices of arrival: boat, Jeep, or paraglider.

Leaping off a cliff attached to a professional paraglider pilot sounded exciting. Considering the cost - $180 – and temperature over 100 degrees, I opted for water taxi. The 10-minute transfer took me back a thousand years.

As the boat rounded cliffs protecting the horseshoe-shaped bay, groves of palm trees and a whitewashed mosque come into sight. Landing at a construction site for the resort’s marina, we rode an air-conditioned Jeep into what looked like an ancient fort. In a shaded courtyard, craftsmen offered wares in a small souk, goats scrambled out of the road, and stark white villas appeared as if in a mirage.

My butler arrived at the reception lounge with a beach buggy to tour the resort. Sandy paths lead to rows of villas and the central social and dining complex. Totally natural, 82 stone villas meld into the landscape like they have been there for centuries. But everything is new, imported and built to resemble traditional tribal villages of the region.


Beach villas are the ultimate rustic chic. From espresso maker to music system, but no TV, every imaginable comfort complements the spacious spread. Louvered walls open to reveal an infinity-edge pool and wooden deck with lounges. Gated walls of twigs are steps from the beach, and an outdoor shower behind a full-size bathtub.
Instant relaxation. My inner sybarite satisfied by a cooling plunge in the pool, I nibbled on dates and nuts as the butler prepared coffee. Reminded of my spa appointment, I was driven across sun-baked dunes to a mud and stone building. Designed in traditional Omani style, the spa has sand floor, candle lanterns, and air-conditioning. A hostess emerged from dim recesses to start the welcome ritual.

Arabian Traditions

Dating back to biblical times, travelers have been welcomed with washing of sandy feet. Surprisingly sophisticated, the spa services menu at Zighy Bay is pure 21st century. Treatments employ mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea as well as gem-infused oils by Shiffa made in Dubai. Therapists are mainly from India, so the blend of Eastern and Western techniques includes ayurvedic head massage as well as facials and Thai bodywork.

The Six Senses Spa has nine treatment rooms, three with outdoor shower, bath, steam shower, and relaxation area. All have cushioned niches for sipping tea, relaxing with a view of the mountains. A juice bar offers light refreshment and promised spa menu. The 90 square meter gym, equipped by TechnoGym, had few takers.

Separate facilities for men and women include hammam, sauna, steam, and ice room. After a languid, steamy session in the hammam, the Arabian practice of splashing water over head and feet is followed by a light body massage. The local rule of same-sex massage therapists was not in evidence during my visit. Said to be fully booked, some guests complained about lack of appointments.

Served ginger tea and urged to relax in the male majlis, a dimly-lit lounge equipped with showers, I drifted off with visions of caravans carrying frankincense from a nearby oasis.

Redefining Experiences

Six Senses Zighy Bay reflects the brand’s concept of experiences that redefine luxury. Choices of dining include a modern brasserie called Dining on the Sand, a hilltop restaurant, seafood bistro at the marina, and wine cellar with rooftop bar.

The Spice Market buffet overlooks the swimming pool, alfresco dining lit by kerosene lamps. For a taste of Middle Eastern elegance, the Chef’s Table can be reserved for a culinary dinner prepared to order.

Accommodations include 11 spa suites incorporated into pool villas with treatment room for couples or individuals, ocean view, and steam shower. The cheapest goes for $900 a night, with prices rising to $15,00 for a five-bedroom residence.

Set between mountains and the sea, Zighy Bay was developed by a consortium that includes a Palestinian architect and a member of a ruling family in the neighboring United Arab Emirates. Called a place of settlement, the isolated fishing village co-exists peacefully with its affluent neighbor.

One day we boarded a wooden dhow, much like boats used by ancient traders, but equipped with bar and shower. Cruising the coast, wave-battered cliffs plunge into the sea, suggesting an Arabian version of Norwegian fjords. As we swam, a military gunboat patrolled the area, a reminder that a strategic waterway for oil tankers, the Strait of Hormuz, is nearby.

Lulled into a lethargic state by the heat and humidity, I could see why the Six Senses Spa is so popular.

SIX SENSES RESORTS & SPAS REDEFINE GLOBAL EXPERIENCES



Established in 1995, Six senses Resorts & Spas operates under a variety of brand names. Seven divisions include Soneva, Six Senses Hideaway, Six senses Latitude, and Evason, plus Six Senses Spas and Six Senses Destination Spas.

Founded by Sonu Shivdasani, the Six Senses group is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. Recently appointed chief operating officer, Jamie Waring oversees operation of 26 resorts plus 41 spas that are Six Senses’ own properties or contracted to third-party managed properties. Employing more than 3,000 hosts and therapists, Six Senses operates in the Maldives, Oman, Thailand, Vietnam, Fiji, and Spain, and aboard cruise ships. Projects under development include China and their first destination spa near Thailand’s Phuket island.

Comprehensive programs to promote wellness are the company’s goal.

Interviewed during the Global Spa Summit in New York, which he addressed, Sonu said Six Senses became a global brand in 1997. “We opened the first spa in the Maldives, a new style for Asia.”

With his Swedish-born wife Eva, they established Soneva Fushi.
A descendent of Indian parents, Sonu was born and educated largely in England. During his time at Oxford, he met his future wife. They leased an island in the Maldives – and the rest is history.

Positioned for growth, Six Senses is looking beyond traditional markets.

Sonu says they will open in the Amazon area of Brazil, as well as Jordan and Egypt. All will have a shared list of practices, emphasizing development of staff hosts as part of the human resources strategy.

Beyond Expectations

Six spheres form a pyramid concept for the corporate logo.

The foundation spheres represent the three primary senses of sight, sound and touch. The second level balances upon this foundation by satisfying the more acute senses of taste and smell.

The apex sphere symbolizes a sense of elation discovered only by balancing the first five - the unique experience of all senses elevated beyond expectations.

Company literature says Six Senses donates 0.5 percent of revenue to social and environmental projects, one of which aims to offset its carbon emissions by replacing coal-fired power plants in India with wind turbines.

www.sixsenses.com

Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Zighy Bay, Musandam Peninsula Sultanate of Oman
Tel: +968 26735 555, Fax: +968 26735 556 (Resort 24 hrs)
Tel: +968 26735 888, Fax: +968 26735 887 (Reservations 9am-9pm)

E-mail: reservations-zighy@sixsenses.com

© Spa Management Journal NOVEMBER 08