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Six Senses Zighy Bay

Zaghi

Isolation meets pared-back luxury in this Omani eco-retreat

First impressions: The arrival into Six Senses Zighy Bay is nothing short of breathtaking no matter how you approach it, either by road – a hairpin bending, cliff-hugging track only manageable by four-wheel drive – or by paragliding in. The hotel sits in a silvery bay on Oman's east coast and is a two-hour drive from Dubai.

Tell me more: British TV stars, Dubaians and international travellers flock year in, year out to Six Senses Zighy Bay to escape the bustle of everyday life. Guests stay in villas inspired by traditional Omani dwellings with stone walls, stripped-back interiors and authentic majlis, all with vistas of crashing waves and tawny-hued sands. This is a place for total detachment and wearing shoes and mobile use is discouraged, reinforced by the padded pedals on bicycles and numerous water urns for feet washing.

Where do you sleep? In one of the 82 private pool villas that sit between the cliffs and shoreline, shaded by date palms and pomegranate trees and linked by sandy paths like a traditional Omani village. Each villa is its own little traditional ‘home’, albeit a very luxurious one. Walls and floors are stone, the lighting is dim, toiletries organic and beds are made with Naturalmat fibre mattresses with unbleached cotton linens. Guests get around by bicycle, trundling down the bumpy paths to the Six Senses Spa, saltwater pool, tennis courts, kids’ club and laid-back eateries.

Eating and drinking: Veggies, herbs, fruits, eggs, cheese and more are produced and grown on-site or at the resort’s Dibba farm, while fish is sourced from the Dibba Bay market at dawn. The hotel even has its own cheesemaking programme. There’s everything on offer at six restaurant outlets: Levantine, Mediterranean, Omani, and beach casual. The star is Senses on the Edge, serving a Japanese-inspired tasting menu at the resort’s highest peak.

Eco-credentials: Six Senses is a brand that prides itself on its approach to sustainability, but Six Senses Zighy Bay’s is particularly impressive. 80% of its organic and glass waste is recycled or upcycled at the Earth Lab – where guests can book classes to turn waste into keepsakes. The resort works with the local community to plant trees, clean up beaches and enable access to education for women.

Key Information

• Rooms: 82
• Starting Rate: $1150
• Dining: Sense on The Edge
• Drinking: Zighy Bar
• At the Hotel: Swimming pool(s), Spa/wellness centre, Fitness centre, Family friendly, Beach
• Zighy Bay Rd, Dibba Dib, Oman
• +968 26 735555
• Visit Six Senses Zighy Bay's Website
• Visit Six Senses Zighy Bay on Facebook
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