Where is it?
From London, Tel-Aviv is an easy 4-hour flight with British Airways. From there you can either connect to Eilat, a flight of 40 minutes and then a 40 minute transfer or drive down to Six Senses Shaharut which is about three and a half hours.
The resort is perfectly situated for some down time after exploring the rich history and heritage of Jerusalem, or the vibrant food scene and night life of Tel-Aviv. Or to pair the sand with the sea and to relax by the Red Sea, an hour away to the south. Petra in Jordan is just doable in a day from here, being three hours one way and the Dead Sea, bordered by the ancient fortification of Masada, is a two-hour drive.
Style
Minimalist and muted, the skill of Plesner Architects has been to weave the stones and textiles, colours, and patterns in with the natural elements that surround it, allowing the buildings to disappear within the vast desert landscape it looks onto. Their design was inspired by the nomadic Nabateans who lived and traded here (the ancient incense route passes not far from Shaharut). Local craftsmen have used stone, wood, and copper to great effect throughout the hotel. Smooth white plaster walls are made with the traditional Moroccan technique of Tadelaktand whilst continuing the pale aesthetic, bedrooms come with white linens, décor of white macramé and sliding doors onto a terrace with day beds from which to watch the sun rise or set over the desert.
Food & Drink
Both Midian Restaurant and Jamillah Lounge embrace the Six Senses culinary philosophy, which is all about fresh, local, seasonal food with an emphasis on plant-based dishes (many of which are harvested from the resort’s own organic garden). The chef, David Biton, champions the Israeli-Mediterranean melting pot in Midian Restaurant with dishes such as kohlrabi agnolotti in a parmesan bouillon, roast artichoke with parsley root butter or Tabun baked vegetables with black lentils. A fireplace flickers in the main restaurant and outside tables have small fire pits in lieu of candles.
At Jamillah Lounge, don’t miss the lamb kube ‘Nabulsiya’, traditional Levantine spiced lamb, served with lemon and tahini or the Jersualem roast beef bagel with spicy mustard. There is a good selection of Israeli wines, from near and far to explore.
Facilities
With wellness being one of the pillars of the Six Senses group, the spa here has a central role. Six treatment rooms radiate off a leafy courtyard, open to the blue skies, using Biologique Recherche in their massages and facials. There are also a range of Ayurvedic treatments, a non-invasive wellness screening and many of the traditional Six Senses initiatives such as picking herbs from the garden to use in the scrubs, which you create at the Alchemy Bar.
There is a large indoor pool and an even larger outdoor pool, with a hot tub at one end and views over the desert. A swathe of activities await those who want more than just to gaze at the desert colours, a seriously calming exercise. There are desert hikes, e-mountain bike tours, immersive kibbutz experiences and star gazing sessions.
Extracurricular
If you want to float in the Dead Sea, it lies just two hours away. The beaches of Eilat, which borders the Red Sea, are an hour south of the resort.
Which room?
All 60 suites and villas have the same peaceful décor and an outside space from which to soak up the desert views or do yoga (a yoga mat is provided) including the three-bedroom retreat. There is a two-bedroom villa with a good-sized pool and a series of panoramic pool villas. Some of the smaller suites also have plunge pools. All have vast stand-alone tubs with copper sides and separate showers. I loved being up by the swimming pool so that I could get a morning dip in before heading down to breakfast.
Best for
For the adventurous and the curious. For those who seek the silence and calm that only a desert can bring. This is one you should put on your bucket list; it is mesmerizingly beautiful.
Details
British Airways (ba.com) operates two daily services to Tel Aviv, with return fares starting at £387. Rates at Six Senses Shaharut start from $984 (currently approx. £746) per night based on two people sharing including breakfast. sixsenses.com
