Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has been revealed as the international partner for a new project backed by Diriyah Company being developed on the outskirts of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Earmarked to open in 2026, Six Senses Wadi Safar lies west of Diriyah and northwest of the capital.
When the Diriyah Company announced a unique giga-project with distinctive cultural, historical, and tourism landmarks, it invited international partners to come together and construct a new legacy for Saudi Arabia. Six Senses will help bring this to life through the development.
“As the Kingdom evolves and opens to tourism, it is garnering strong interest among international visitors to explore its heritage sites and outstanding natural beauty,” said Neil Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Six Senses. “We are excited to be working closely with Diriyah Company as we align visions and invite guests to explore the Kingdom.”
Just over 40 kilometres from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and 15 minutes northwest of the city, Six Senses Wadi Safar will feature 80 guest rooms spread across five clusters on top of a hill with panoramic views over the dramatic valley. True to the region’s deep cultural roots and original Najdi-style palatial architecture, the resort will pair the vibe of a traditional gathering place with the ultimate in luxurious and contemporary living.
This latest Six Senses project forms part of a 60-square-kilometre gated Wadi Safar community — a secluded, discreet, and peerless lifestyle destination for Saudi society and international visitors. Alongside the royal residences, the exclusive resort, recreation, and leisure assets will be set against a vast landscape of natural beauty. Plans are afoot to host flagship international sporting, arts, cultural, retail, and fashion events alongside social enterprise to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Guest accommodations at Six Senses Wadi Safar will extend across nearly 200,000 square metres. Offering the utmost in security and seclusion and only two hours from the six GCC countries, the resort will host special events, weekend retreats, and longer-stay breaks for history explorers and wellness seekers alike.Six Senses Spa will be a sensory experience with dedicated suites for sight and touch, treatment rooms, a hammam, a salon, a gym and studio, and a separate yoga studio.
The region’s history goes back thousands of years: it was once an ancient trade and pilgrimage route and a meeting spot for people traveling to or from Asia, Africa, or Europe, sharing food and stories around the night fire. While the guest rooms are secluded, the restaurants incorporate this community aspect and extend traditional hospitality, inviting guests to gather and enjoy seasonal sharing plates themed to the location. The main restaurant will open out to the pool and will be complemented by a signature restaurant, grill, and brew bar. There will be a multi-use events space with an outdoor amphitheater and a boutique in the style of an artisan souk.
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, said: “Diriyah presents hospitality operators with a unique opportunity – to redefine their guest experience within the context of nearly three hundred years of cultural heritage. From design and location to local cuisine, materials, and customs, Diriyah’s hospitality portfolio is differentiated by an unreplaceable vibrancy and depth of culture. We are thrilled that Six Senses is joining our portfolio, and we look forward to
Wadi Safar will usher in a new era of sustainable hospitality, with the recently announced Oberoi and Six Senses Hotels at the heart of this living experience.
At #BashayerDiriyah, we held groundbreaking ceremonies for the two hotels, sharing our vision for sustainable living.
— Diriyah Company l شركة الدرعية (@DiriyahCo) December 13, 2023
welcoming guests from all corners of the planet to sample its sumptuous offering.”
Ground was broken for Six Senses Wadi Safar last week, alongside newbuilds for the project for Oberoi Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah, Address Diriyah, Capella Diriyah and Four Seasons Hotel Diriyah.
