Southern Dunes, The Red Sea
Desert wellness sanctuary with serious eco credentials — solar-powered, plastic-free water bottled on-site, aiming for LEED Platinum status. Interiors pull from Bedouin tribal dress: rich terracotta, earthy ochre, woven textiles. Adventure and stillness sit side by side.
Book Al Sarab for your first evening — the sunset from the highest point of the resort is the kind of thing you will talk about for years.
Why It Matters
First resort to open at the Red Sea giga-project. Designed by Foster + Partners. Runs entirely on its own solar farm. Houses a nearly 4,000 sqm spa with a quartz sand treatment bed, biohacking lounge, and frankincense-based rituals. The signature restaurant Al Sarab sits at the site's highest point specifically for sunset dining.
The first resort to open at Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Development Project, Six Senses Southern Dunes launched in November 2023 on the historic incense trade route, with the Hijaz Mountains as a backdrop and the Alnesai dunes rolling out in every direction. Designed by Foster + Partners — the British firm behind the Gherkin — it draws from Nabataean architectural heritage: think honeycomb walls, undulating rooftops that mirror the dunes, and a flower-shaped entry canopy that cools the air naturally. Its 76 keys split between 36 rooms/suites around the central Oasis and 40 private pool villas positioned on peaks across the site.
Where You'll Stay
10 room types available
One Bedroom Pool Villa
The first step up into the pool villa category. Positioned on the dune peaks for mountain views. Private pool, outdoor shower, terrace with hanging day beds and sunbeds. Destination dining available.
King · 90 sqmOne Bedroom Sunset Pool Villa
Same footprint as the One Bedroom Pool Villa but oriented for the best sunset views across the Southern Dunes. Private pool, outdoor shower, terrace. Worth the upgrade if you plan to be at the villa at dusk.
King · 90 sqmThe Retreat
Three-bedroom pool villa with a private cinema room — the first of the resort's so-called Extraordinary Villas. Mountain views. Each bedroom has a walk-in closet, private balcony, and ensuite with separate bathtub and walk-in shower. Also includes a pantry, office, private pool, and destination dining.
2 Kings and 1 Twin · 250 sqmThe Sunset Reserve
The only four-bedroom villa at the resort, sleeping up to 10. Totally self-sufficient with a fully fitted kitchen, large pantry, large cinema room, and private pool. Each of the four bedrooms has a walk-in closet, private balcony, and ensuite. Reservation enquiry required — not bookable online.
2 Kings and 2 Queens · 400 sqmThe Sunset Retreat
Same layout as The Retreat but flipped for the best sunset orientation. Three bedrooms, each with private balcony and ensuite, plus cinema room, pantry, private pool, and outdoor terrace. Sleeps up to 8.
2 Kings and 1 Queen · 250 sqmTwo Bedroom Pool Villa
Spacious two-bedroom villa sleeping up to 5 adults, with a king bedroom and a twin bedroom, each with walk-in closet and ensuite (separate bathtub and walk-in shower). Mountain views, private pool, separate living and dining room, outdoor terrace for al fresco dining.
King and Twin · 140 sqmTwo Bedroom Sunset Pool Villa
Two separate bedrooms — one king, one with two queen-sized beds — with sunset-facing orientation and private pool. Each bedroom has its own walk-in closet and ensuite. Separate living and dining room, outdoor terrace.
King and Queen · 140 sqmWadi King Room
On the same level as the central Oasis, with views over the wadi (valley). Open-plan bedroom and living area, walk-in shower and bathtub, plus a terrace with a hanging day bed. The entry-level room here — 60 sqm is generous by any standard. No private pool.
King · 60 sqmWadi Suite
Still at Oasis level with easy access to all facilities, but with 90 sqm you get separate living and dining rooms, plus a private terrace with hanging day beds and sunbeds facing the dunes and wadi. No private pool.
King · 90 sqmWadi Twin Room
Same layout and level as the Wadi King Room, but with separate twin beds — good for friends or family members who don't share. Wadi views, terrace with hanging day bed, walk-in shower and bathtub.
Twin · 60 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
7 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Outdoor cinema experience in the desert setting.
Learn Saudi and regional gastronomy at the on-site cooking school.
Excursions to the Red Sea coast for diving and snorkelling among coral reefs, turtles, dugongs, and marine life. Requires transfer to coast.
Guided walks across the Alnesai dunes led by local Bedouins.
Multi-hour camel treks into the desert and overnight camping experiences with Bedouins.
Electric mountain biking across the desert terrain and dunes.
Electric quad biking across the dunes.
Guided hiking through the Alnesai dunes and into the narrow wadis and Hijaz Mountain terrain surrounding the resort.
Off-road Jeep rides through the desert landscape, dunes, and wadi terrain.
Guided climbing and scrambling experiences in the rocky desert mountain terrain.
Interactive sustainability workshops in a dedicated pottery-studio-style space. Activities include henna, sadu stamp-making, conservation activities, and other crafts rooted in local Nabataean traditions. Open to all guests including children.
Weekly activity schedule for children covering the six dimensions of wellness. Includes nature activities, crafts, and light spa treatments adapted for children under 14. Dedicated space in the spa.
Desert stargazing in near-zero light pollution. The resort also offers dedicated astronomy experiences with equipment and guided sessions.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
On-site garden supplying ingredients for the kitchens, integral to the Eat With Six Senses philosophy of local and seasonal sourcing.
Babysitting available with minimum 24 hours advance notice. Charges apply.
Dedicated personal host service available for villa guests — a dedicated point of contact for all in-stay arrangements.
Year-round outdoor pool at the Oasis level, with loungers, palm trees, and views of the dunes. A pool bar serves food and drinks poolside.
On-site boutique with curated retail including local crafts, Six Senses products, and apparel.
Still and sparkling water bottled on-site in reusable glass bottles. Plastic-free water policy throughout the resort.
The resort's electricity is powered entirely by its own on-site solar farm — a core part of its LEED Platinum ambitions.
Private car transfers from Red Sea International Airport (60 min), Al Wajh Airport (1 hr), and Yanbu Airport (2 hrs). Must be booked in advance.
Electric buggies help guests navigate the sprawling resort between villa clusters and central facilities.
BUILD YOUR SIX SENSES SOUTHERN DUNES, THE RED SEA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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