Six Senses Zighy Bay - Review
Our Verdict
Six Senses Zighy Bay - Review
Escape to the hidden jewel of Oman, Six Senses Zighy Bay. This resort is nestled in Oman's dramatic Musandam Peninsula where rugged mountain peaks dive into crystal clear waters. This village-inspired resort in Oman offers luxurious accommodations in a range of villas, suites and beachfront retreats. Each accommodation offers a private pool, traditional summer house and plenty of space to spread out and relax. This luxury oasis offers something for everyone including unique dining with both local and international cuisine featuring locally grown organic ingredients, an amazing spa and more than 30 unique experiences.
At Six Senses Zighy Bay you will be free from the distractions of life. Six Senses properties are all about reinvigorating your senses and that's just what a stay at Zighy Bay will do for you. Take time to disconnect so you can reconnect with yourself and with others.
Zighy Bay is located 120 kilometres or 120 minutes drive from Dubai International Airport, which is the gateway city to Six Senses Zighy Bay. Guests have a choice of arrival experiences which include a scenic fifteen-minute speed boat trip or a drive down from the top of the hill overlooking the bay. For an additional charge, guests can choose to be a companion passenger with the Six Senses professional para-glider!
In total, the 82 suites, villas and beachfront retreats at Six Senses Zighy Bay are traditional Omani style with modern amenities. With pops of color, the cool interiors lead out to private pool areas with cobblestone walls, sun loungers and shaded summer houses.
Whether you stay in a one-bedroom accommodation, a multiple bedroom accommodation or an extraordinary villa, they all offer a spacious and personal environment with rustic chic décor, and bathrooms extending to an outdoor shower.
Marhaba means “welcome” in Arabic. And a warm marhaba greets you at Six Senses Zighy Bay which is set between the Hajar Mountains and the sea. If you're looking for an unforgettable experience, you've come to the right place.
This review is based on our personal stay in March of 2022. If you are planning to stay at Six Senses Zighy Bay, book through Live Luxe Travel Co. to take advantage of exclusive Virtuoso benefits like a room upgrade (if available at check-in), full daily breakfast for two guests per bedroom, a complimentary 50-minute massage for up to two guests per room (once during stay), early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Our Room
Talk about VIP treatment, during our stay at Zighy Bay we got to stay in the Private Reserve. Located at the secluded end of Zighy Bay, tucked up against the mountain, on its own stretch of private beach, The Private Reserve has been carefully designed to reflect the traditional local Omani architecture.
The exclusive entrance leads to an open court which overlooks the three buildings that make this a true Arabian Palace of Wonders. With its four bedrooms, the Private Reserve - the largest of its type in the Middle East – offers a variety of separate living and dining room areas for entertaining, a wine cellar, staff quarters, a 60 feet (17 meters) infinity swimming pool and a 24x7 GEM (Guest Experience Maker).
The master bedroom on the second floor was our home during our stay. It featured a large living room with balcony, the separate bedroom, large closet/changing room, full bathroom with copper bathtub, and an outdoor shower.
All of the accommodations at Six Senses Zighy Bay include the following amenities: individually controlled air-conditioning and ceiling fans, working and dressing table, private wine cellar, personal safe, hairdryer and espresso machine, IDD telephone, wireless internet and cordless phone, tea and coffee making facilities, CD, DVD Home Integrated Theatre System, flat panel TV with satellite TV channels, oversized bathtubs, large daybeds, private sun lounge and outdoor dining suite, infinity-edged pools, and more.
Most of the bath products you find at Six Senses are created with natural and sustainable ingredients. In fact, the bar soap is created on property at The Earth Lab.
Amenities
Perhaps one of the best amenities at Six Senses Zighy Bay is the 1 mile of pristine white sandy beach that the resort sits on. And if the beach isn't for you, there is a large fresh water swimming pool with poolside service, offering meals, beverages and homemade ice creams. Or perhaps you'd prefer to take a dip in the 100-foot salt water pool, the only one in the Gulf with Roman steps and a swim-round island.
Is wellness important to you? The resort features a well-equipped fitness center, outdoor jungle gym and outdoor yoga pavillion. And if you're interested, there are wellness programs to improve your movement, stamina and tone.
And it wouldn't be a true Six Senses experience without the Six Senses Spa. The spa features 9 treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge, two Arabian hammams (bathhouse), steam room, sauna and ice cave within male and female changing rooms, and an Alchemy Bar. One really cool thing about Six Senses Spas is that they have the latest technology combined with local traditional healing techniques.
Whether you want a simple treatment like a massage, facial, or a more personalize and comprehensive program such as one focused on wellness, sleep, detox or immunity booster, this is the place to connect with yourself.
During our stay we had a 60 minute massage and it was one of the top five massages we've ever had. The therapist tailored the massage from start to finish to exactly what each of us needed. During the treatment, silicone cups, hot stones and warm compresses are used, depending on the individual’s needs.
Another great amenity of Six Senses Zighy Bay is their activities center that is located adjacent to the lobby. The setting of Zighy Bay is ripe for adventure and thrill seekers. Activities include: paragliding, microlight, village trek, a visit to a local farm in the neighboring town of Dibba, handline fishing, a sunset cruise, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, archery and more.
During our stay we were very adventurous and went paragliding. One minute you’re on the launch pad (next to Sense on the Edge Restaurant) at 960 feet above sea level. And the next minute you’re soaring through the sky before gently descending to the soft sandy Zighy beach below. The flight time is dependent on current conditions but lasts on average about 5 minutes.
The pilot made sure we were comfortable during our flight and even helped us take some great photos!
We also went out on a traditional Dhahab Dhow (Oman boat) for a day trip. The trip included swimming, drinks, lunch and beautiful scenic views.
Dining
The culinary program at Six Senses Zighy Bay celebrates unique, fresh and local ingredients. Some of the ingredients are grown on property at the organic garden and a majority of the rest come from a farm in the neighboring city of Dibba.
Six Senses Zighy Bay has six food and beverage outlets on property. Summer House serving contemporary international cuisine (open for lunch, bites, drinks and dinner), Spice Market serving delicacies of Arabic origins (open for breakfast and dinner), Sense on the Edge serving Spanish inspired cuisine (open for dinner), Zighy Bar serving drinks and bites (open from (9:30 pm to Midnight), Shua Shack serving traditional lamb cooked in the sand (open for lunch & dinner), and the Wine Cellar serving pairing menus (open for private dinners).
For breakfast one morning, we had a private in-villa breakfast which was incredible. It was like the breakfast buffet at Spice Market that was brought to our villa. There was fresh fruit, charcuterie, a variety of pastries, breakfast meats, quiche, fresh made yogurts, a juice bar, a coffee bar and more.
Both the food and the service at the in-villa breakfast were incredible. If you wanted things that weren't on the buffet such as eggs made to order or anything special, the staff was very accommodating.
For lunch we dined at Shua Shack which offers an incredible view while your feet rest in the sand. The service during lunch at Shua Shack was superb. We didn't feel rushed and we were well attended to.
Our favorite meal we had at Zighy Bay was the Asian Street Food night. This was setup near Summer House and included a variety of stations where chefs were preparing dishes made to order. There was sushi, Pad Thai, fried rice, duck soup, a kabob station, a dessert bar and more.
Breakfast at Spice Market is a must! This breakfast buffet has a little bit of everything. Even the pickiest of eaters will find something here. You'll find traditional Arabic dishes, the most delicious fresh baked Zaatar croissants, fresh fruit, fresh juices, freshly made yogurts including plant based yogurt, an egg station, and more.
Service
Sustainability is a the heart of what Six Senses does. This is no different at Zighy Bay. Zighy Bay is big on reducing waste by grinding up glass and repurposing it, creating their own soap in the Earth Lab, and eliminating plastics. Six Senses Zighy Bay actually employs a full time sustainability officer to continue to make the resort more and more sustainable and self sufficient.
Six Senses Zighy Bay actually pulls water from the ocean, puts it through a filtration process and creates their own fresh drinking water. This infrastructure not only supports the resort, but also treats water for the neighboring village adjacent to the resort. At Six Senses you'll improve your own health and the health of the planet.
Service at Six Senses is personal, connected and catered to each individual guest. Service that is emotional and truly helps you reawaken your senses is just what you'll get.
All of the staff including our GEM (Guest Experience Maker) really treated us like family and made an effort to get to know us.
Overall Impression
From the moment you arrive until the moment you leave, you will experience your senses. You'll leave stimulated, energized and resorted. The
Six Senses brand strives to embody a passion for wellness, community, sustainable design and smiles. And after staying at our first Six Senses, we can't wait to visit another property.
Extra Perks
And don’t forget, when you book Six Senses Zighy Bay with Live Luxe Travel Co., through our Virtuoso partnership, you’ll receive a room upgrade (if available at check-in), full breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom, in restaurant or via In-Room Dining, complimentary 50-minute massage per person, for up to two guests per room (once during stay), early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability and complimentary Wi-Fi.