Desert Dreams: A Weekend at Six Senses Southern Dunes, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

This was a girls’ weekend—just me and a friend, escaping the everyday for a couple of days of desert calm. A rare chance to pause, reset, and savour that elusive luxury: time to ourselves.

We flew Saudia for this weekend escape—new planes, comfy seats, snacks and drinks on board, and bang-on-time take-off. First time through Terminal 5 too: unexpectedly easy, with a great mix of eateries and shops once you’re through security. This was a girls’ weekend—just me, a dear friend, and the rare luxury of uninterrupted conversation, laughter, and long silences in the sun. A little pocket of time carved out for ourselves, away from the family juggle and daily lists. The flight was full but never fraught.

We landed at Red Sea International Airport and found ourselves in what felt more like a boutique hotel lobby than an airport terminal. Soft lighting, desert tones, and a sort of whisper-quiet calm that immediately signalled: relax, you’ve arrived. The new terminal (still under construction) already hints at something extraordinary—organic curves, open spaces, and a clear design nod to sustainability-meets-serenity.

At the arrivals desk, we were handed a slip for our private transfer, and moments later, a sleek blue Lucid electric car glided into view. The entire Red Sea resort is proudly powered by 100% renewable energy, with zero single-use plastics, coral reef preservation, and ambitious rewilding efforts in play. It’s part of Saudi Arabia’s bold regenerative tourism plan, and you do genuinely feel the difference. There’s a sense of restraint and care in everything—luxury, but not wasteful.

The drive along the coast and inland took about 45 minutes, bringing us to Six Senses Southern Dunes—a desert haven tucked between the mountains and the sea. From the moment we arrived, it was indulgent in the most refined way: ambient Ibiza chill beats, cold scented towels, gently infused water, and a seamless check-in process.

The resort, designed by Foster + Partners, is built to blend with the landscape. Giant macramé-like structures provide shade, while the central Oasis is the heart of it all—housing the spa, restaurants, and peaceful places to just… be. The villas radiate discreetly from the centre like petals from a flower, each one hidden just enough for privacy but close enough to keep the vibe intimate.

Wow just wow

We were upgraded to a private villa with a pool, which still makes me smile. The interiors—designed by Muza Lab)—are sensuous and calm: curved plaster walls, sun-bleached desert tones, locally inspired ceramics, and nothing overly fussy. Just elegant, quiet beauty.

Breakfast at Six Senses Southern Dunes: Nourishing and Thoughtful

Breakfast was one of the unexpected highlights—thoughtful and nourishing rather than overblown. There were subtle changes each day: rose labneh, grilled cauliflower, turmeric hummus, fresh greens, and all the usual eggs-any-way options with sausage and bacon sides if you fancied them. I also loved the turmeric granola, house-made kombucha, and cold nitro coffee on tap. All the fresh juices and breads were there—but no pastry overload, no donut wall. Just quality over quantity.

Beautiful breakfasts at Bariya

We woke early each morning and took our tea out to the terrace to watch the desert wake up. There’s something oddly grounding about that vast stillness and golden light. The gym—an architectural dream in itself—was mostly deserted, and had gleaming new equipment, bowls of nuts and fruit, and those perfect rolled towels. You can borrow electric mountain bikes too, if you're in the mood for adventure.

Would I bring the family here? Maybe not just yet. The resort felt wonderfully peaceful —almost meditative — and for this girls’ getaway, that was perfect. But with kids in tow, I think we’d need somewhere with a bit more buzz and variety. That said, I imagine the energy will shift as it gets busier. For now, I’m just grateful we had the space to unwind… and I’m already scoping out what’s next along the coast (ever hopeful!).

Dinner at Al Sarab: A Grown-Up Feast in the Dunes

One of the highlights of our stay was dinner at Al Sarab, the resort’s signature dining spot. Set beneath a canopy of stars, with soft lighting and desert breeze drifting through the open-air layout, it’s an experience that feels both grounded and quietly glamorous.

Everything here is non-alcoholic, but don’t for a second think that means dull or juvenile. The cocktail menu is genuinely inventive—grown-up flavours with layers of spice, herbs, and the kind of complexity you’d expect from a swanky Soho bar. Many of the drinks are built around tepache, a naturally fermented pineapple beverage that’s slightly fizzy, lightly spiced, and (bonus) good for the gut. They’ve taken it and run with it—infusing it with ginger, citrus, herbs, even green tea for proper depth of flavour.

We opted for the Saudi tasting menu, which was a thoughtful, elegant journey through local ingredients and flavours—spiced lamb, roasted aubergine, freekeh risotto, and fragrant date-infused sauces. It was modern and refined, without trying too hard. Even the breads came with unexpected twists—think za’atar butter or smoked tomato dips.

What stood out was how unhurried it all felt. The service was impeccable but never overbearing, and the space itself invites you to linger—low seating, flickering lanterns, and the kind of hush that makes you realise just how loud the rest of the world usually is.

By the time we rolled out — satiated, serene, and fizzing ever so faintly from the tepache-laced creations — we were already plotting a return visit.

Quiet Luxury, Done Right

Why Six Senses Southern Dunes Is Worth the Trip

Six Senses Southern Dunes is the kind of place that gets under your skin. Quiet luxury, spectacular design, and a real sense of sustainability done right. It's not loud or flashy—it’s confident in its calm. Whether you're in the mood for desert hikes, spa days, sunrise yoga, or just doing absolutely nothing in style, it holds space for all of it.

I could’ve happily stayed for a week. I just need to work out how to get back there.