Six Senses Wadi Safar promotes Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural tradition

Thursday, December 21, 2023

When the Diriyah Company announced a unique giga-project with distinctive cultural, historical, and tourism landmarks, it invited international partners to come together and construct a new legacy for Saudi Arabia. Six Senses will help bring this to life through a new hotel in Wadi Safar, which lies just west of Diriyah and northwest of Riyadh.

“As the Kingdom evolves and opens to tourism, it is garnering strong interest among international visitors to explore its heritage sites and outstanding natural beauty,” said Chief Executive Officer of Six Senses Neil Jacobs. “We are excited to be working closely with Diriyah Company as we align visions and invite guests to explore the Kingdom.”

New Global Landmark for the Kingdom

Just 41 kilometers from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and 15 minutes northwest of the city, Six Senses Wadi Safar will feature 80 guest rooms spread across five clusters on top of a hill with panoramic views over the dramatic valley. True to the region’s deep cultural roots and original Najdi-style palatial architecture, the resort will pair the vibe of a traditional gathering place with the ultimate in luxurious and contemporary living.

This latest Six Senses project forms part of a 23-square-mile (60-square-kilometer) gated Wadi Safar community, a secluded, discreet, and peerless lifestyle destination for Saudi society and international visitors. Alongside the royal residences, the exclusive resort, recreation, and leisure assets will be set against a vast and breathtaking landscape of natural beauty. Plans are afoot to host flagship international sporting, arts, cultural, retail, and fashion events alongside social enterprise to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This bold blueprint is intended to harness the potential of its younger generations, open to tourism, and turn the nation’s greatest strengths into a vibrant society and diverse and sustainable economy.

Cultural Retreats and Wellness Breaks

With space in abundance, guest accommodations at Six Senses Wadi Safar will extend across 49 acres (199,364 square meters). Offering the utmost in security and seclusion and only two hours from the six GCC countries, the resort will host special events, weekend retreats, and longer-stay breaks for history explorers and wellness seekers alike.

Six Senses Spa will be a sensory experience with dedicated suites for sight and touch, treatment rooms, a hammam, a salon, a gym and studio, and a separate yoga studio. From yoga programs, signature massages, and biohacking tools to multi-day retreats and brand standards such as Sleep With Six Senses and Eat With Six Senses, there will be something for everyone.

The region’s history goes back thousands of years: it was once an ancient trade and pilgrimage route and a meeting spot for people traveling to or from Asia, Africa, or Europe, sharing food and stories around the night fire. While the guest rooms are secluded, the restaurants incorporate this community aspect and extend traditional hospitality, inviting guests to gather and enjoy seasonal sharing plates themed to the location. The main restaurant will open out to the pool and will be complemented by a signature restaurant, grill, and brew bar. There will be a multi-use events space with an outdoor amphitheater and a boutique in the style of an artisan souk.

With families in mind, a full Grow With Six Senses activity program will be available with a local twist. By day, expect to roll up the sleeves for mud brick making, traditional Najdi design workshops, Sadu weaving, and pottery, and by night, the stars come alive in the sky and on the screen of the outdoor Cinema Paradiso. The Earth Lab is also a family affair, introducing guests young and old to desert conservation.

Ambitious Heritage Restoration Project

The Experience Center will be a gateway to a host of desert adventures, including easy access to the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site in nearby Diriyah, which is set to offer a comprehensive journey through Saudi history preserved in open-air museums.

From its beginnings in the 15th century, Diriyah grew from a small oasis to a thriving crossroads for culture and commerce. The citadel within the At-Turaif district was the original seat of power and the birthplace of a unified Saudi State. It succeeded as the nation’s capital in 1824 with the nearby settlement of Riyadh. In 2010, At-Turaif was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now, “The City Of Earth” is home to a meticulous heritage development project.

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, said: “Diriyah presents hospitality operators with a unique opportunity – to redefine their guest experience within the context of nearly three hundred years of cultural heritage. From design and location to local cuisine, materials, and customs, Diriyah’s hospitality portfolio is differentiated by an unreplaceable vibrancy and depth of culture. We are thrilled that Six Senses is joining our portfolio, and we look forward to welcoming guests from all corners of the planet to sample its sumptuous offering.”           

 Where in the World

 Wadi Safar lies near the Wadi Hanifah area of Riyadh, within 20 minutes of the city’s main attractions and within 40 minutes of the international airport. The flight time from major cities in the GCC is between 1 hour 20 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes.

 Six Senses Wadi Safar is set to open in 2026.

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