Serenity, Sustainability and Simplicity: Why Six Senses Zighy Bay Needs To Be Your Next Holiday Destination | The Escape

by Natasha FaruqueJune 23, 2022June 23, 2022

Let the artifice of the everyday fall to the wayside and walk barefoot into a luxurious respite you never knew you always needed

I had packed three suitcases for a two-night stay. Coordinated looks with multiple changes, matching hues for my daughter… and I had browbeaten my husband into showing me what he was surreptitiously stuffing into a hold-all too. I then made him re-pack according to my specifications. After all, when you’re finally making the trip to a resort you’ve waited years to tick off your staycation bucket list, you’ve got to look the part, right?

The rustic retreat is nestled behind the dramatic Hajjar mountains on the Musandam Peninsula

It turns out I completely misunderstood the brief. Barefoot luxury at the Six Senses Zighy Bay means exactly that. No accessories required. You’re welcome to sport the latest cruise collections – but no one expects you to. And that was the joy of this trip. All the comfort you’d expect from one of the most coveted hotels in the world, but none of the pretence. You’ll feel equally at home in shorts and faded T-shirts as you would in pre-season Loewe. Ask rumoured fans Kate Moss or Bill Gates… (the hotel itself would never be so crass as to confirm celebrity aficionados). You get the impression that this is the kind of place that attracts guests who could literally stay anywhere they’d like. And they’ve chosen to check into this rustic retreat nestled away from prying eyes behind the dramatic Hajjar mountains on the Musandam Peninsula.

For a family, this unique combination of five-star facilities and relaxed atmosphere is a dream come true. Though my three-year old would cite the free ice-cream scooped out between 10am and 7pm daily as her highlight – or perhaps the private pool.

This is one of the few resorts in this part of the world with stand-alone, sprawling lodgings that all come complete with their own swimming pools and alfresco showers. Those in the know request villa 22 – right on the crystal clear turquoise beach. You’ll fall asleep to the sound of the waves, and be the first perusing Spice Market’s sumptuous breakfast buffet as it’s within easy reach of the restaurants, main pool and the lounge areas.

Start your day on Spice Market’s sunshine-filled terrace

Back To Nature

Staying true to the Six Senses ethos, Zighy Bay has been tweaking its modus operandi since its inception to strengthen its green credentials. Other hotels might be scrambling to greenwash their offering, but sustainability has always been at the core of this resort’s principles.

Reverse osmosis not only produces all the drinking water, but fills the salt water pool so that saltwater levels aren’t affected as it slowly trickles back to the sea. From organic kitchen gardens to tree-planting, local sourcing to recycling initiatives that are also showcased as educational activities for children – and a commitment to helping the local village that shares shore space with the property – a dedication to its environment is of intrinsic importance.

The use of indigenous materials ensure the resort melds seamlessly into the surroundings

For those of us who want to raise little ones who understand the importance of conservation, this affords a high level of comfort. And it’s all done subtly, effortlessly, without ever sounding preachy. To be honest, if you didn’t investigate, you might not even realise it was being done.

Breakfast is a highlight with a mix of cuisines and live stations dishing up a feast

And, from a purely aesthetic point of view, the use of natural stone, rocky hues, date palms and indigenous materials ensure the resort, which echoes the materials and looks of a traditional Omani village, melds seamlessly into the surroundings. While pops of sunset orange provide colour in an otherwise neutral palette.

Creature Comforts

Welcome paradoxes abound at the property. You’re in a remote, seemingly untouched location – but it’s only a two hour drive from Dubai. It feels exclusive and special, yet all ages are made to feel welcome. You can dress up to dine at the adult-only, cliff-top restaurant Sense on the Edge or tuck into freshly made pizzas in linen cover-ups at the beachside Shua Shack. You can choose to hide away in your private villa – duplexes and multi-bedroom retreats afford big groups maximum seclusion – or join in the fun of an action-packed schedule that could include trekking, fishing or sailing trips, visits to the village and movie nights at the kids club. Sign up for a full wellness check-up on arrival with Dr P. who gives you an electrocardiogram focusing on 29 bio-markers that will help him fine tune your lifestyle for the future; or take full advantage of the aforementioned ice-cream. Your GEM – private butlers are termed Guest Experience Managers – will ensure your every whim is fulfilled.

Enjoy sprawling villas with individual pools designed with privacy in mind

Flying High

Instagram isn’t always your friend. Before reels and live feeds, there was more of a mystery surrounding experiences. You could read about a jaw-dropping activity, imagine what it might be like – but now you can actually join the ride as others film themselves doing it and disseminate it on social media. But although I had done my research (and by that I mean looked it up on others’ videos), nothing prepared me for the sheer thrill of making a James Bond-style entrance to the resort – by paragliding in. And, that’s just one of three ways to (literally) land at this hotel.

The adult-only, cliff-top restaurant Sense on the Edge

The regular drive up (and then down) is dramatic enough as it is. Once you reach the first check-point, you are ushered into a powerful 4×4, driven by a seasoned local used to navigating the final stretch of road. My protesting husband, who opted to skip the sky-high paraglide in and wanted to stay ensconced in his own car, was swiftly silenced when he saw the track that snakes sharply up, via steep turns on a sharp precipice, before winding down the other side to the bay. Some things are better left to the professionals. And you’ll also get the luxury of enjoying the experience rather than putting your driving skills – and your resolve – to the test.

A kitchen garden and tree-planting initiatives are just two ways the resort incorporates sustainability into its core principles

Not a fan of flying or driving in? There’s also the option of jetting in on speedboat from a neighbouring harbour.

Sense and Sensibility

The low-key nature of this getaway is not for everyone; it won’t be a good fit for you if you want to dress up for others or crave high-octane nightlife. Or if top-of-the-line tech is a priority when you travel. And all this exclusivity certainly comes at a price – but it’s a price that regulars are more than happy to pay and it’s clear to see why. While we checked out, my daughter clutching a stuffed toy goat she’d been gifted, I realised we all yearned to return, having bonded better than we had in ages. Surreptitiously, I googled the low-season summer rates which were much more accessible.

As we made our way back across the border, I reached for my make-up bag that hadn’t been delved into since I’d made Zighy Bay my home. For me, this truly was a holiday from daily life in every sense of the word. I had completely switched off. It made me realise what I truly coveted from a break – and that was a sense of serenity, free from any kind of pressure, where I could really relax. My ostentatious suitcases of clothing came back largely intact, and our family break was all the better for it.