SPROUTING FROM A DRAMATIC HILLSIDE ALONG GRENADA’S UNSPOILED SOUTHEASTERN EDGE, SIX SENSES’ FIRST CARIBBEAN ADDRESS MARKS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN ECO-LUXURY TRAVEL
BY AMANDA McCOY
At the turn of the millennium, ecotourism and luxury travel weren’t widely considered complementing concepts. Across the globe, hostels, off-grid lodges, and nature camps offered a low-cost, low-impact opportunity to dive into far-flung cultures and locales, while brand-name resorts advertised massages and Michelin stars to seduce their well-heeled clientele. But in 1995, a British hotelier named Sonu Shivdasani set out to marry the two worlds. His upscale hospitality concept, dubbed Six Senses, was born from the idea that travel can serve a larger purpose. He believed that resorts have a responsibility to the health and well-being of the communities and ecosystems in which they reside and is credited with setting many of the early benchmarks of eco-luxe travel, from wildlife conservation programming to on-site organic farming. Shivdasani selected striking locales throughout Southeast Asia to plant a Six Senses flag, from Samui, Thailand, to Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam, quietly building a global reputation for his special brand of barefoot luxury.
Shivdasani sold the Six Senses collection in 2012 (Pegasus Capital Advisors, a New York-based private equity firm, gobbled up the rights, before selling the portfolio to hotel giant IHG in 2019 for $300 million). Since the shift in ownership, the brand has been on a tear, opening 18 new resorts in 12 years with an additional 26 on the way. The collection moved beyond the borders of Southeast Asia into Europe, the Americas, and the South Pacific. Though operating under a massive umbrella, Six Senses hasn’t turned its back on its boutique roots. “We think less is more,” noted CEO Neil Jacobs, who previously worked with Four Seasons. “Our competitors are all about growth. With Six Senses, the conversation is very much the opposite of that. You’ve got to be really careful about what you do and where you go.”
Last spring, Six Senses cemented its stake in the Caribbean, choosing the Spice Isle of Grenada for its Central American debut. After arriving at Maurice Bishop International Airport in the tourist-heavy southwestern edge, guests are transported on a scenic 30-minute trek along the southern coast to the rural, sparsely populated parish of St. David’s. There, perched atop a leafy cove overlooking the protected waters of La Sagesse Bay, rests Six Senses Grenada.
Location is a central theme of any Six Senses experience, and this clifftop was specifically selected for its seclusion and stunning panorama. Every corner of the resort treats guests to a visual wonder scape of silver-sand beaches and calm emerald waters. There are 71 suites and villas on site, spread across 38 naturally undulating acres, connected by dramatic natural walkways through the gardens and along the lagoon promenade. A playground of water fall rich rainforest is but a stone’s throw away.
Thearchitecture was modeled after a local village, crafted from a melange of raw, renewable, and repurposed materials, from certified woods in the villas to nutmeg shells for the landscape mulch. Before the grand opening, the ownership team implemented a large-scale planting initiative to pepper the landscape with native flora, including fruit and nut trees for the local wildlife. All rooms feature bright, open floor plans with private terraces and plunge pools, while solar panels provide a low-carbon source of hot water. (To fuel the hotel’s conservation efforts, all drinking water is bottled on site, eliminating the need for plastic containers.)
In addition to the 56 pool suites, there are 15 freestanding villas on the property, ranging in size from one to four bed – rooms. The four-bedroom Cliff Retreats, set high on the bluff separating the blissful bay from the roaring Atlantic, take full advantage of their dreamy island setting with 270-degree views over the endless horizon. These bi-level flagship retreats feature sun-soaked living and dining rooms, a full kitchen, spa baths with walk-in showers and soaking tubs, and a massive outdoor terrace with a dedicated lounge area and lap pool.
With a diverse catalog of adventure, wellness, educational, and cultural experiences at guests’ fingertips – plus a state-of-the-art, two-story spa, gym, and yoga pavilion – days here are easy to fill. The Earth Lab, an on-site garden of Grenadian scents, herbs, and spices, offers interactive workshops that teach partici – pants how to make all-natural beauty products, craft their own tea blends, or upcycle glass bottles into works of art for the home. Go off campus to explore St. David’s rugged terrain on an e-bike, craft your own one-of-a-kind cocoa ball with local cocoa farmers, or sample the island’s prized spirit on a tour of Grenada’s finest rum distilleries.
Mealtimes are as indulgent as they are exploratory, introducing guests to the full breadth of Grenadian flavors, farming, and gastronomy. All ingredients used in the resort’s three restaurants are either grown on site or sourced from the nearby land and sea. Expect hyper-fresh, balanced, healthy meals, each a love letter to Caribbean culinary culture. At SeaFire, feast on shared plates of conch ceviche and mahi-mahi with breadfruit before diving into the fire-roasted cut of the day, or sit down for a farm-to-table tasting experience at Callaloo. Meals are accompanied by a selection of local and international wines and signature cocktails dressed with homegrown herbs. Rooms begin at $975 per night.
Six Senses Grenada