This desert retreat promises a much-needed pause.
Let’s be honest, life can get overwhelming. Between work deadlines, family commitments, and the daily grind, sometimes all you really need is a reset. A little retreat where you can switch off, recharge, and return to the world as your best self. Sure, the Maldives and Bali have long been go-to wellness hotspots. But Saudi Arabia is quickly carving out its own space on the wellness map, and here’s why Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea is leading the way.
Exhale on entry
The moment you step under The Oasis canopy, there’s an immediate exhale. The check-in itself is smooth and unhurried, implying “Hey, you’re off duty now.” After check-in, you have options to get to your villa. You can either take a short, scenic walk, an electric bike ride, or a buggy transfer. I chose to buggy and noticed that the route is dotted with tiny wellness stations — a dead-life station here, a shoulder-press post there — nudging you to move your body in simple ways.
Desert dreamscape
If Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea had a signature, it’s how it uses colour and texture to make you feel grounded in the best way possible. The palette is packed with layers of sand-beige, warm browns, greens of the trees, and herb gardens. It’s the kind of design that makes your problems feel proportionally smaller in front of the magnificence ahead, and you breathe a little deeper.
My room felt like a modern sand house. The interiors use Bedouin patterns with a light, contemporary touch that keeps things calm. The deck looks over the dunes, and the private pool is the perfect size for cooling off after a morning class or an evening soak while the desert sky turns into yet another shade of beautiful. The minibar also follows the same wellness theme with homemade snacks and a selection of juices.
Soul food
Dining at Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, is part of the wellness architecture too. The resort follows a “nothing goes to waste” approach and grows produce on-site. Merkaz serves plant-based dishes, and the chef even prepared a lemongrass sorbet upon my request. They also make fresh kombuchas every day to maintain your gut, and their signature Rocket Fuel is a must-try. It’s thoughtful dining that feels good without being fussy.
One of my favourite stops was the Alchemy Bar, where you can sip on nourishing beverages such as the signature ginger tea or create your own body scrub using locally inspired ingredients. And while the scrub itself is a treat for your skin, it’s really the making of it that’s surprisingly therapeutic, reminding you how healing small, intentional acts can be.
Science and serenity
The spa is the real jewel here. Beyond its serene treatment rooms and hammams, there’s a spin studio, aerial yoga suite, and even a meditation dome. If you’re curious about the future of wellness, you’ll also find biohacking stations, cold plunge pools, and infrared salt saunas offering a blend of ancient rituals and modern science.
Now, I’ll be honest, I’ve never been into yoga. I’ve always found it intimidating, something best left to people who can bend like pretzels. But here, I gave it a go. There was no pressure to perform, no expectation to “do it right.” Just a gentle invitation to move and breathe. It’s still not my thing, but the meditation session that followed truly struck a chord. Sitting still, guided by sound and breath, I realised how rare it is to just be. That stillness lingered long after I left the mat, encouraging me to incorporate it into my daily life.
And then there are the massages, of course, that make you wish they went on for a little longer. But what stayed with me was the pacing of it all, such as the staff checking in without intruding, but also making sure that you’re pampered.
Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, also hosts stargazing sessions, and honestly, the desert sky was breathtaking. I stretched out under that endless canvas of stars and couldn’t help but think how perfect it would have been with a cup of karak, shisha, and some good music in the background. For me, that would’ve been the ultimate vibe. But even without those, the experience was unforgettable. Listening to the guide explain how constellations move and connect across the sky was humbling — a reminder that we’re all just small specks in the vastness of the universe.
Hit reset
I’ll admit, I’m not a regular yogi, and I left the fitness track a long time ago. But Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea is all about gentle invitations that meet you where you are. I found unexpected stillness in meditation, while the grounding colours and the quiet gave me a comfort I didn’t know I needed. Together, these small moments nudged me to reprioritise myself in a way that felt lasting.
So if you’re looking for a wellness escape that’s less about rigid routines and more about everyday recalibration wrapped in luxury — or even if you just want to soak up the grandness the universe has to offer — this is it. Thoughtfully designed and sensory in all the right ways, Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea is the kind of place where you arrive tense and leave not only lighter in mind and body, but also carrying a few simple, sustainable habits — plus a serious urge to come back.
GO: Visit www.sixsenses.com for more information.