Falstaff Magazin International Nr. 2/2022

destinations / INTERVIEW

destinations / INTERVIEW Finding exceptional locations is one thing, preserving local colour and imbuing it with your own values quite another. Six Senses’ newly-opened property in India, the restored 14th-century Fort Barwara, delights history buffs, adventurers and wellness enthusiasts alike. The Ayurvedic offerings permit an up-close encounter with the subcontinent’s traditional art of healing. WE TAKE WHAT WE DO SERIOUSLY, BUT NOT NECESSARILY OUR- SELVES. FUN IS PART OF OUR VALUES TOO, AND WE DEFINITELY HAVE OUR QUIRKS. NEIL B. JACOBS CEO SIX SENSES < don’t just arrange for our guests to visit a temple, but to meet the lama, a religious teacher, too. Or we invite members of the government to come to us so that guests can talk to them. Our offering in Portugal’s Douro Valley is another example: we give our guests the opportunity to revisit their childhood and climb around on old oaks in the middle of the forest. I’ve seen managers sitting in the treetops crying. Because they are so visceral, these experiences are incredibly emotional – and that makes them unique. Do unique experiences or guided activities apply to the wellness offering as well? Yes, of course! We have a series of signature moments that are a feature of all our spas, for instance. Let me give you an example: we have created a special singing bowl ritual performed at the start and end of every treatment. The vibrations of the singing bowl immediately put the guest into a much calmer state of mind. It’s a small gesture, but it gives you an impression of what we do. Do you have signature treatments that feature on every spa menu? There are several characteristic products. But by far the most important thing for us is that every spa menu absolutely reflects the healing arts as they are traditionally practised wherever we are, whether it is TCM in China or Ayurveda in India. That NEIL B. JACOBS ACHIEVEMENTS Neil B. Jacobs joined Six Senses in 2012. Under his leadership, the chain opened resorts in Bhutan, the Seychelles and Portugal, and more recently on Ibiza, in Israel and India. Now properties in cities like London and New York are set to follow. BACKGROUND Among other things, Jacobs oversaw the Asia-Pacific region for Four Seasons prior to joining Six Senses. TRAINING Jacobs studied hotel management in England, art in Florence and French culture at the Sorbonne. He speaks six languages. Photo: supplied 78 falstaff jul-sep 2022

A holistic experience: Six Senses aspires to high standards – the hotel group aims to enable its guests to gain new experiences and learn about different cultures so they can sense the meaningfulness of their travel. The sustainable designs set in stunning landscapes are just one facet of that. is something we celebrate and try to reproduce reliably. Also, most of our spas offer integrated wellness too. Our guests are hooked up to machines that measure their biomarkers, which are the measurable parameters of biological processes. We accompany our guests throughout their stay based on the resulting report. We are hi-tech, but also high-touch. That’s a very medical approach … We are not doctors, we are wellness specialists. Out of respect for the medical sector, we are very careful about things like that. But we clearly see that blood analysis is becoming increasingly important nowadays. It is something we have to be able to offer. The brand and its values are evolving rapidly, several new properties are being built around the world right now. What challenges do you expect to face in the future? Interestingly, we are emerging from the pandemic invigorated and strengthened, simply because the approach to lifestyle, wellbeing and sustainability has shifted strongly in our direction. People have changed in a fundamental way, but obviously we are tackling these challenges with a very targeted strategy. We have a strong innovation team and we are big believers in practising design thinking. The communication culture we have created internally makes us strong, but we are good at conveying it externally as well. At Six Senses we don’t actually talk about hotels as such; we prefer to talk about connections and reconnections. < The organic gardens that supply the group’s kitchens with ingredients are just as much a part of the concept as the Alchemy Bar, where those ingredients are turned into scrubs and masks. Want to turn your travel destination into home? Six Senses also offers private residences with full service (left). SIX SENSES LOCATIONS The hotel and management company currently operates 17 hotels and resorts plus 26 spas in 20 countries. A further 34 hotels are in the pipeline, including in Salzburg. SUCCESS CONCEPT Besides its unconventional designs, Six Senses is mainly known for its holistic spas. MISSION STATEMENT Responsibility for society, the environment and wellbeing is the ethos Six Senses lives by. It aims to give guests a sustainable pathway to themselves, other people and the world around them. sixsenses.com jul-sep 2022 falstaff 79