In brief
Staff Cheerful and inclusive.
Food & drinks Eat like a Bedouin.
Bed & bath Surprisingly characterful.
In a nutshell A stylish wilderness retreat.
Set the scene People come back to Six Senses Zighy Bay year after year, for the light on the cliffs, for the sunshine, for the ease of its languorous ways which just delivers every time. The ultimate quick-fix fly and flop.
What's the story?
Six Senses is a growing chain but there is nothing corporate about it. Rooted in a sense of place, each one reflects its surroundings – the common thread they have is wellness, eco-friendly and sustainable (the group is planning to be completely plastic free by 2020).
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What can we expect in our room?
The pool villas feel wonderfully old and authentic, carved out of stone with roughly finished walls and reed ceilings, lighting was dim – lanterns suspended on ropes from the ceilings. Pools are completely screened by fence and stones and fringed by palm trees. The bathrooms have sunken baths. The whole thing aims to recreate a traditional Omani village. Some prefer the beach villas for obvious reasons.
Anything to say about the food and drink?
You can eat like a Bedouin at Shua Shack on the beach where lamb is cooked in an underground oven or head to the Spice market for regional recipes – the Arabic cold mezze is delicious. Sense on the Edge is set high up in the mountains with a whooping view down to the sea. Order wagyu beef fritters with caramelised onions or the delicate celeriac soup.
Anything to say about the service?
There are great excursions to be organised, from the famous paragliding strapped to a professional pilot down from the mountains to the hotel, to watersports, crab hunting and Arabic lessons.
What sort of person stays here?
Ralph Lauren clothes, good literary fiction and thrillers for the beach. A mix of classical and Adele on their play lists.
What's the neighbourhood scene like?
There is no comparison in this part of Oman, which is part of its success – also you can fly easily to Dubai and drive across the border (with other hotels in Oman you have to fly to Muscat which is more complicated).
Anything else we should know?
There is a great spa with hammam treatments and Arabian body rasul.
Anything you'd change?
Perhaps the service could be friendlier.
Worth it – why?
There is adventure and comfort, excellent food and a good spa. Strongly recommended.
By Mary Lussiana
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Address: Six Senses Zighy Bay, Musandam Peninsula, Musandam 813, Oman
Telephone: +968 2673 5555
Website: sixsenses.com
Wi-Fi: Free
Price: Doubles from £505
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This hotel is one of our favourite in the world, and included in our Gold List 2019. Discover more of the best hotels in the world 2019 now.
