Six Senses Shaharut: Israel’s finest luxury hotel in the desert

Shaharut? In Hebrew, it’s the word par excellence to describe that magical moment just before sunrise. Imagine the colors of the sky, just before dawn, reflected on the sandy dunes of the desert… Once again, Six Senses has succeeded in inspiring guests with its new hotel, thanks to its exceptional location alone. Luxury, well-being and eco-responsible values round off a fascinating experience. A long-awaited opening in summer 2021, for wellness breaks that Luxe Wellness Club invites you to book now.

A hotel in the middle of nowhere

The brand-new Six Senses takes place in a majestic region in the south of Israel, more precisely in the Arabah, a valley in the Negev desert. Dunes and pebbled mountains as far as the eye can see, this is the extraordinary panorama the luxury hotel has in store for its guests.

With a location like this, you can imagine that a trip to Six Senses Shaharut is well worth the effort! But don’t panic, the journey isn’t that long. From Tel Aviv to Ramon airport, you’ll need to take a 50-minute flight. The drive to the hotel then takes 45 minutes. For those in a hurry, Six Senses Shaharut has a heliport.

A total change of scenery from the comfort of your bed

Panorama Pool Villa bedroom (Photo: Six Senses)

The resort boasts 60 luxury suites and villas. All have a terrace with a view, and thanks to the huge picture windows, you can enjoy a complete change of scenery even without getting out of bed. For us wellness fans, each room comes with its own yoga mat, not forgetting walking sticks and hats for hiking. The “Sleep With Six Senses” standards are also present in this brand-new Six Senses: handmade mattresses, breathable cotton bed linen and all the fundamentals for a good night’s sleep.

You can choose between three types of 58 m² suites:

Six Senses Suites with desert and Edom mountain views
Panorama Suites offering 180° views of the desert and Arabah Valley
Pool Suites, close to the spa.

The villas also boast spectacular desert views and feature an outdoor patio with dining area and private pool. The sleeping area is separated from the living area. Count on 125 m² for a one-bedroom villa, and 180 m² for a two-bedroom.

Panorama Pool Villa bathroom (Photo: Six Senses)

For even more spacious accommodation (640 m², including 70 m² outside with swimming pool), the Private Reserve is a three-bedroom villa that also houses a treatment room, hammam and gym. The little extra: a semi-outdoor kitchen by the famous Italian brand Boffi to make the most of the terrace 100%.

Everything, everything, everything to relax

The expertise of Six Senses’ spas, which blend Eastern medicine with Western techniques, plays an essential role in all our hotels. The Six Senses Shaharut spa features three single and three double cabins, as well as various saunas and steam rooms for men and women. The spa boasts an 18-metre indoor pool and a 25-metre outdoor pool. A wide range of sporting activities are available in the fully-equipped gym. Yoga takes center stage, with a studio overlooking the desert, of course, as well as group and individual classes in all types of yoga, including yoga nidra.

And if you’re in the mood for a manicure or pedicure, the Six Senses Shaharut spa even suggests you enjoy one with a glass of wine. Quite convincing…

The Alchemy Bar, which has become one of the band’s signatures, is also present. Use your five senses to create the perfect scrub and mask for your skin. You can enjoy it during a treatment, the Alchemist’s Body Treatment.

Other revitalizing treatments are also available, including relaxing massages and advanced facials. To reinforce the expertise of spa practitioners, Biologique Recherche and Lavido products are used. Biologique Recherche is a brand of cosmetics rich in active ingredients and top-of-the-range natural extracts. The Lavido brand, on the other hand, is based on natural organic ingredients and is more often used in holistic treatments, such as the “Crystal Glow” treatment, which features crystals known for their skin-toning benefits.

A rich array of experiences

Being in the middle of the desert is not synonymous with boredom – on the contrary. There’s plenty for young and old to enjoy and discover.

“Grow With Six Senses is a center dedicated to young people, allowing them to follow their own adventure, not that of their parents. But there’s plenty to do with the whole family, too: handicrafts, camel rides, birdwatching, a visit to the collectivist Kibbutz village, etc. Or, if you’re itching to see something else, take a trip to Eilat (60 minutes’ drive from the hotel) to dive in the Red Sea. Finally, the fabulous site of Petra in neighbouring Jordan (180 km, approx. three hours’ drive) will be proposed as a day trip.

Mountain biking in the desert (Photo: Six Senses)

The Arabah Valley is a region rich in history, with numerous archaeological sites. You can go there by jeep or, for the more active, to practice extreme sports: sand surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, etc.

Other wellness experiences are offered, always based on ancestral knowledge and holistic practices linked to the site. Six Senses Shaharut offers, among other things, a closer look at the desert aboard a camel, and the chance to continue the experience with a journey through the sounds of singing bowls.

Six Senses attaches great importance to respect for the environment, and has sought to convey these values through its “Earth Lab”. Here you can reconnect with nature and see how the hotel contributes to preserving the environment.

Locavore restaurants

When it comes to cuisine, there are no surprises: the hotel follows the “Eat with Six Senses” philosophy, cooking with fresh, local produce and cultivating its own organic garden to offer dishes that are as healthy as they are tasty. Similarly, to respect local traditions, pork and shellfish do not feature on restaurant menus.

Produce from the kitchen garden (Photo: Six Senses)

Although our chefs are happy to prepare tailor-made meals in your accommodation or elsewhere, the hotel’s restaurants are well worth a visit. First of all, Midian, the main restaurant, serves a creative interpretation of Israeli cuisine. And with an open kitchen to feast your eyes on.

Edom View is the ideal place for tajines and grilled appetizers under the stars. And, as you’d expect, this restaurant has a view that looks directly out over the Edom mountains. For a light meal to enjoy on site or to take with you on your excursions, we recommend the fragrant cuisine of Grab & Go.

If you want to continue your immersion in Israeli culture, head to Jamillah. Traditional music accompanies your cocktails with homemade liqueurs. Atmosphere guaranteed! And if you’re feeling peckish by the pool, the Edom Pool Grill has something for everyone: smoothies, cocktails, homemade ice cream and more.