Latest news with #SixSenses'
Emirates Woman
21-02-2025
- Emirates Woman
7 otherworldly resorts within a short flight of Dubai that don't feel real
Life by Alice Holtham-Pargin 1 min ago If you're thinking about jetting off for a mini-break, you don't have to go to far-flung destinations for a hotel stay with endless wow-factor. In fact, right on the doorstep of the UAE there are some seriously awe-inspiring resorts just waiting to be discovered. And no – these aren't AI images: Just 7 dreamy resorts ideal for short-haul trips from the UAE. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman This unique resort nestled in a private bay in the Musandam peninsula in Oman is the perfect escape for retreating somewhere worlds away from city life. Rooted in Six Senses' wellness-driven DNA, the resort is laid out like a traditional Omani village, laced with luxury touches. Think villas with private pools, a spa that serves as a healing wellness sanctuary inspired by local traditions, and experiences that range from private dining by the sea or atop or a mountain to paragliding or scuba diving. Room rates from AED3,786. Shebara, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shebara (@shebara) One of the world's most exciting tourism destinations lies just three hours via direct flight from Dubai. In Saudi Arabia's Red Sea, a growing-number of luxury island and desert resorts are becoming total Instagram fodder, with their dazzling villas, gourmet dining options, and focus on sustainable luxury tourism. The crowning jewel is Shebara, a futuristically-designed resort where guests stay in spaceship-like villas on the beachfront or over shimmering azure waters. Bucket list experiences include snorkeling, dolphin spotting, and rejuvenating wellness experiences at the beautiful spa. Room rates from Dhs9,105. Our Habitas Ras Abrouq, Qatar View this post on Instagram A post shared by OUR HABITAS (@our_habitas) From humble beginnings as a community-driven event in Tulum, Mexico, Habitas has paved the way for a new genre of experiential hotel rooted in connection and community. The brand's expansion across the Middle East first saw the introduction of a duo of Saudi hotels, and now you can also find the boho-luxe hospitality brand in Qatar, an hour flight and then an hour drive from Dubai. Here in a remote part of the desert, Our Habitas Ras Abrouq weaves local creativity and soul into a resort of gorgeous villas with private pools, a stretching swimming pool and farm-to-table dining. Room rates from AED2,328. Memories Aicha Wadi Rum, Jordan View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranita (@travelwith_rani) From historic Petra to incredible diving in Aqaba and the foodie capital of Amman, Jordan is a great destination for a long weekend from Dubai. Located just three hours away from the UAE, if you're looking to live like you've travelled to another planet, the flame-hued Wadi Rum in Jordan's south is where to go. Also known as 'the valley of the moon' this dramatic desert landscape spans 280 square miles, and is home to a handful of luxury camps that make you feel like you're living on Mars. Check-in to Memories Aicha for dome tents with panoramic views in a secluded valley, where experiences include jeep tours, Bedouin-inspired dinners, and horse riding. Room rates from AED1,295. Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur While it might be located in the heart of bustling Jaipur, a three-hour, short-haul flight from Dubai, this former aristocratic palace turned five-star hotel is set in 18 acres of landscaped gardens, so you still feel worlds away from the city. Adorned in feminine shades of cream and pink, it's a pretty backdrop for a regal stay that allows you to explore the rich cultural and culinary scenes of Jaipur. The hotel itself, part of Taj Hotels, features an inviting outdoor pool, garden pursuits and dining that ranges from grand afternoon teas to romantic private dinners. While on the doorstep, guests can discover the breathtaking architecture of local forts, palaces and the historic bazaar's. Room rates from AED5,525. Banyan Tree AlUla, Saudi Arabia The historic AlUla desert is a destination of diverse natural heritage, packed with fascinating historical and archeological sites. For Centuries it's served as historic and important meeting point, and now just a three-hour flight from Dubai, it's more accessible than ever for fans of history, culture and luxury hospitality. Stay at Banyan Tree AlUla for Bedouin-inspired luxury, where you can take a dip in the rock pool carved between the mountains, enjoy wellness treatments inspired by timeless local practices, and journey off-site for helicopter tours, jeep drives, art-led tours, and fascinating heritage walks led by expert guides. Room rates from AED 2,645. Alila Jabal Akhdar, Oman For those looking to embrace the great outdoors, the mountainous backdrop of Alila Jabal Akhdar is the luxe retreat your travel lust list needs. Perched 2,000 meters above sea level and accessible via a 2-hour drive from Muscat (a 40-minute flight form Dubai) this sensational mountain retreat pairs five-star luxury with jaw-dropping nature. Fans of exhilarating experiences can look forward to rock climbing or scenic hikes, while those looking to drop-and-flop can enjoy a jaw-dropping pool and pampering wellness experiences. Room rates from Dhs2,865. Feynan Ecolodge, Jordan A first-of-its-kind boutique eco-lodge, this hidden retreat is found at the bottom of Wadi Dana on Jordan's west coast. What it lacks in accessibility (it's found a 20-minute drive from the nearest road) it makes up for in off-grid wow-factor, with 26 individually-designed guest rooms, a restaurant serving local Arabic flavours, and a panoramic rooftop terrace that gazes over the stretching desert. You can spend days exploring the vast local scenery with hikes and mountain biking, or immerse in the local culture with cooking classes, stargazing, or spending days with residents to learn more about the fascinating way of life for locals. Room rates from AED780. @feynanecolodge Lead image: Banyan Tree, @ Our Habitas
What's On
10-02-2025
- What's On
6 Middle Eastern hotel openings worth travelling for this year
Upcoming leisure MVPs of the GCC… From a safari-style camp in Sharjah to a hedonistic hotspot in Muscat and wellness resorts in Saudi Arabia… 3 of 12 AMAALA, Saudi Arabia: Six Senses Triple Bay Six Senses' otherworldly hotels are already lust-inducing resorts found regionally in Oman's secluded Zighy Bay and in the desert dunes of The Red Sea. And this year the brand's Middle Eastern footprint will further expand with the debut of Six Senses Triple Bay, one of six resorts on-track to welcome visitors to AMAALA, a wellnessdriven luxury destination on the Kingdom's Red Sea Coast. To the north, the village-like resort opens onto the sweeping beaches of Hajaz Cove, featuring a beach restaurant and family pool; to the south, natural rock pools and a mangrove boardwalk leads to the cove spa. At the centre is the dramatic Mesa, featuring spectacular overhangs and caves. A coffee roastery, bakery, water bar and shisha tea house fuse Six Senses' key pillars with regional influences, and guests are encouraged to immerse in the local, natural and sustainable throughout their stay. Dubai, UAE: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab The final piece of the oceanic-inspired trilogy on the Jumeirah beachfront is Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. Positioned as a new benchmark for luxury stays in Dubai, the dazzling beachfront resort is now accepting reservations from March 14. Those checking-in to the superyacht-inspired hotel can look forward to 10 categories of gorgeously contemporary guest rooms with sweeping vistas, stretches of golden sand lined with private cabanas, and a three-floor Talise spa, complete with a 20-metre lap pool and dedicated ladies-only floor. It's on the culinary front where this resort really stands out, though, with almost a dozen restaurant and bars to look forward to, like steakhouse The Cullinan, glamourous Mediterrasian restaurant KIRA, and an ultraluxe beach club called Kinugawa. Red Sea, Saudi Arabia: Miraval One of 11 resorts set to take shape on Shura Island, the main hub of The Red Sea gigaproject in Saudi Arabia, is a US-born wellness brand set to do things differently. Miraval Red Sea will be the brand's first resort outside of America, and promises to be an 180-room sanctuary that unrolls along three million square feet. The resort will draw inspiration from the natural beauty and topography of the destination: think crystalline waters, sugary sands, vast golden desert, and craggy mountain peaks. The star attraction will be the Life in Balance Spa, complete with 39 treatment rooms, walking trails and workshop spaces, promising to promote 'mindfulness, relaxation, and introspection'. Elsewhere, unique rituals and therapies enriched with Middle Eastern flair promise to put the property on the map as a soughtafter wellness retreat. It's slated to open in autumn. Doha, Qatar: Corinthia Gewan Island Well-versed in the creation of grand dame hotels thanks to their properties in London, Malta and Budapest, Corinthia will debut in the Middle East with the Corinthia Gewan Island this year. Poised to become a new architectural marvel on Doha's leisure scene, the 100-room Corinthia Gewan Island spans 13,000 square metres and also incorporates a yacht club, Championship golf course and a beach club, all of which are also part of the Corinthia portfolio. Promising sophistication and relaxation in equal measure, star attractions alongside the sumptuous guest rooms will be a pampering spa, three speciality restaurants, and a grand banquet hall with capacity for 1,000. Sharjah, UAE: LUX* Al Bridi One of two LUX* Resorts arriving in Sharjah this year, LUX* Al Bridi is your invitation to take a walk on the wild side. The 35-key resort adjacent to Sharjah Safari will feature one-, two- and threebedroom tented villas that gaze over the native wildlife. The aesthetic mirrors the tented lodges you'll find on your Pinterest board – think natural, earthy tones and endless sandstone shades, and the experiences to boot promise an immersion into the array of wildlife found in Al Dahid. Sun-soaked days can be spent dipping in your private pool, getting pampered at the LUXE ME Spa, or dining in the wild – that is when you're not on safari, keeping an eye out for creatures big and small that roam around. Muscat, Oman: Nikki Beach Resort Nikki Beach's roots might be in hedonistic beach clubs – and you'll still find those dotted around the globe – but its ever-expanding resorts are as much about wellness and meaningful travel experiences as they are celebrations of life. Which is why the blissful shores of Oman make total sense for a Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, set to land in late 2025 on the shores of Yiti Bay. The resort will feature 140 rooms and suites, plus 30 sumptuous private pool villas. It boasts everything you know and love about Nikki Beach and more: music, dining, fashion, art, entertainment, film, three swimming pools, beach club, a marina and yacht club. Guests can swim up to the wet bar at the pool, bliss out at the world-renowned beach club, indulge in the award-winning spa, and dine at three of the brand's signature restaurants. There's the farm-to-table bistro, Café Nikki; toes-in-the- sand restaurant Escape; and unique lobby bar, Soul Lounge.
