As the latest global luxury hotel brand report from LTI (Luxury Travel Intelligence) reveals, Six Senses has claimed the top spot for the third consecutive year, surpassing longstanding luxury hotel brands like Aman and Rosewood to firmly hold its position as the world's leading luxury hotel brand. Six Senses is renowned for its dedication to selecting secluded, nature-rich locations worldwide for its properties, with a strong focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness. The brand’s approach embraces a holistic wellness philosophy inspired by the natural rhythms of life, offering minimalist, restorative retreat experiences. Bali’s Six Senses resort, perched on the dramatic cliffs of Uluwatu, is a prime example, welcoming guests into its tranquil embrace.
Background
The Six Senses brand logo is inspired by the thumbprint of a monk, symbolizing the six senses: the bottom three dots represent sight, sound, and touch; the middle two dots represent taste and smell; while the top dot symbolizes intuition, or the “sixth sense.”
Founded in 1995 by Sonu Shivdasani and Eva Malmstrom in the Maldives, Six Senses has always stood out with its distinct philosophy of “slow living,” focusing on escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life and fostering a deep connection with one’s inner self. This unique ethos, paired with a refined design aesthetic, quickly gained worldwide popularity, positioning Six Senses as a hallmark of understated luxury that contrasts with more flamboyant brands. The brand’s mission, as expressed by Six Senses itself, is for each resort to "rejuvenate guests and reconnect them with nature, with a strong commitment to wellness, sustainability, and the environment, creating spaces where guests can both enjoy peaceful solitude and engage harmoniously with the local surroundings."
In 2012, the brand was sold to U.S.-based private equity firm Pegasus Capital Advisors, and in 2019, it was acquired by IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) for $300 million, solidifying its status as a key player in IHG’s luxury portfolio. Today, Six Senses remains one of the world’s most coveted luxury hotel brands.
Bali, a long-time favorite among global travelers, is home to nearly every major hotel brand. The Six Senses Bali resort is located on the southernmost tip of Uluwatu, perched on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. Sharing its stunning views with the iconic Uluwatu Temple, the resort offers 28 sky suites and 75 cliffside pool villas, perfectly encapsulating the serenity and privacy Bali is known for. It opened its doors in 2018.
Location
The Six Senses Bali resort is situated in Pecatu, at the southernmost point of Bali, Indonesia. It is just a 45-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, with complimentary transfers provided by the hotel. The property is also conveniently located only 13 kilometers from the city center, ensuring easy access for guests.
Project Transportation
Bali, being a renowned tourist destination, offers excellent accessibility with various flexible transportation options to reach the Six Senses Uluwatu resort:
Hotel Shuttle/Private Car Rental:Six Senses provides airport transfer services, which can be arranged by simply providing your arrival details and flight number in advance. Upon exiting customs at the airport, a staff member will be waiting with a sign. In addition to the hotel’s shuttle service, guests can book private cars online with just eight hours' notice. Options range from 6-hour rentals to full-day services, and you can choose drivers who speak English, Mandarin, or Korean. Bali’s private car rental services are relatively affordable compared to other luxury destinations, offering both convenience and ease of communication, making it ideal for planning your activities without worrying about language barriers.
Taxi:Bali is filled with taxis, making it easy to hail one. At the airport, two types of taxis are available: official black taxis, which have fixed rates (though surcharges may apply at night) and metered taxis outside the airport. The most reliable metered taxi company is Blue Bird (Blue Bird Group), although many other companies imitate their branding, so caution is advised. You can use the MyBluebird Taxi app or call for a safe, reliable ride.
Bali also offers Uber, which tends to be cheaper than Blue Bird taxis. It’s especially recommended for short trips to and from the resort, and Uber’s 7-seater cars are perfect for group travel. For even shorter distances, Go-Jek, a popular motorcycle ride-hailing service in Bali, may be the most cost-effective option.
Kura Kura Bus:Bali’s unique Kura Kura Bus service is the only licensed tourist shuttle on the island. The easily recognizable buses not only stop at major tourist spots but also offer shuttle services between hotels and the airport. These buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi and charging outlets for convenience.
4. Self-Driving:While self-driving is an option in Bali, it’s not highly recommended. The island follows left-hand driving, and the roads can be narrow and crowded, making it difficult for newcomers to navigate. For safety reasons, other transportation methods are preferred.
Opening Hours
The resort is open year-round, with two distinct seasons in Bali. Located in a tropical climate, Bali’s average temperature is around 27°C (81°F), making it ideal for activities like diving, hiking, water sports, and fishing. The dry season runs from April to September, bringing abundant sunshine, while the rainy season extends from October to March. Uluwatu’s southern coast, where the resort is situated, enjoys pleasant weather year-round. Its unique beach environment attracts surfers from across the globe, and its rich ecological and cultural features make activities like hiking, cultural tours, temple visits, and water sports—such as snorkeling, diving, and sailing—popular among guests.
Design Team
The design of Six Senses Uluwatu is a collaboration between PTI Architects (architecture) and Blink Design Group (interior design).
PTI Architects is a renowned Indonesian firm based in Jakarta, established in 1991. Doddy Tjahjadi, Managing Director and lead architect, spearheaded the design for this project.
Blink Design Group, led by founder Clint Nagata, who was previously one of the youngest shareholders at WATG, is responsible for the interior design. Since its founding in 2006 in Bangkok, Blink has established itself as a leader in luxury hotel interior design across Asia, with its headquarters now in Singapore.
Design Features
The Six Senses design philosophy revolves around two core ideas:
Family Vacation: The concept emphasizes the connection between family and friends, with villas and resort amenities designed to foster these relationships.
Escape from City Life: The resort caters to those seeking privacy, tranquility, and a deeper connection with nature. Guests are provided with a sense of seclusion, including defined boundaries between dining areas, meeting spaces, and other guests. Six Senses is committed to working in harmony with local communities and ecosystems.
The architecture of Six Senses Uluwatu draws inspiration from traditional Balinese tropical styles, incorporating local materials and craftsmanship into its design. The planning of spaces and the choice of artistic details reflect a deep respect for Bali’s rich cultural heritage.
The design of the Six Senses Uluwatu resort adheres to environmentally sustainable principles, incorporating engineering systems that minimize energy and water consumption. Energy-efficient building envelopes maximize the use of natural light and ventilation, while the rooftop design features green roofs that reduce heat loads and lower the need for air conditioning. Guests will enjoy a holistic "organic" experience, with lush gardens and pools scattered throughout the villas and public areas, offering a serene yet invigorating retreat. As Doddy Tjahjadi, Managing Director of PTI Architects, noted, “Six Senses truly brings their love for sustainability into every project. All villas are designed with cross-ventilation and boast ocean views. Guests will feel comfortable whether or not they choose to use air conditioning. PTI Architects looks forward to continued collaboration with Six Senses, as we learn a great deal by working with leaders in sustainability, who consistently question whether each detail is eco-friendly enough.”
The interior design of the resort embraces local culture while seamlessly integrating with nature, offering a luxurious experience. Local materials give the villas a distinct, authentic charm while ensuring harmony with the environment and Balinese culture. As Clint Nagata, founder of Blink Design Group, described it: “The design here is unique, giving each villa its own landscape and creating space for a wide range of atmospheres, tones, and emotions.”
Project Experience
Six Senses is renowned for choosing exceptional, thoughtful locations for their resorts, and Uluwatu’s high-elevation coastline is one of the best spots in Bali. It offers breathtaking views of both sunrise and sunset, with panoramic vistas of the Indian Ocean from cliffs nearly 100 meters high. Uluwatu is also famous for Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of Bali’s six main temples, known as a spiritual pillar of the island. Perched atop steep cliffs, the temple’s name derives from the Indonesian words "Ulu" (meaning “tip” or “end”) and "watu" (meaning “rock” or “stone”). Archaeological findings suggest the temple originated around the 10th century.
Hidden away on these dramatic cliffs, Six Senses Uluwatu spans 30 acres (12 hectares) at the southern tip of Bali, sharing stunning views of the Indian Ocean with the iconic Uluwatu Temple. The resort’s layout cascades from north to south along the terrain, extending towards the cliff's edge. It is thoughtfully divided into four functional areas: the entrance service area, villa resort area, spa experience zone, and cliffside ocean-view zone.
In addition to a variety of suites and villas, the resort boasts a range of signature amenities, including a 12,000 square foot (1,079 square meter) spa, a massive central infinity pool, a gym, a poolside bar, a restaurant with a chef's table and cooking school, an outdoor cinema, and a sprawling organic garden. Guests can also enjoy a wide array of sports and cultural activities.
Located roughly 17 kilometers from the airport, the journey to the resort takes you through bustling city streets and peaceful rural roads before arriving at the hotel’s entrance. A simple beige stone façade with an equally understated sign featuring the iconic purple Six Senses logo welcomes guests. After passing through this discreet entry, a 500-meter private road leads to the open-air lobby.
The lobby itself is an architectural statement, designed to slow guests down and immerse them in the resort’s tranquil atmosphere. Flanked by striking totem pillars, the massive roof extends beyond the walls, with a circular reflecting pool at the center. The lobby opens fully to the ocean view beyond, enhancing the sense of openness and calm. The minimalist design, paired with locally inspired décor and sustainable materials, makes a lasting impression. Here, guests can hand over their cars and complete check-in before transferring to electric buggies that shuttle them to the villa area.
After transferring to the shuttle from the entrance lobby, guests are taken through the resort’s signature organic eco-garden en route to the villa area. Six Senses Uluwatu’s commitment to sustainability is both impressive and thorough, unlike any other resort. The hotel maintains its own organic garden, which supplies fresh ingredients to its restaurants. It even produces its own drinking water for all rooms and common areas. Food scraps are fed to chickens and sheep, whose manure is composted on-site as natural fertilizer for the gardens. Used cooking oil is sold to the Lengis Hijau Foundation to produce bio-diesel for vehicles. Even used coffee capsules and cleaning products are collected by suppliers for recycling and upcycling. All shower and wastewater is processed at the on-site treatment plant, combined with rainwater from a collection area, and reused for landscaping and stored in fire hydrants. Six Senses’ dedication to environmental protection is truly remarkable.
To cater to a variety of guest preferences, the resort offers a range of accommodations, from single-bedroom units to multi-bedroom suites and expansive villas. The smallest units are 108 square meters, while the largest reaches an impressive 3,626 square meters.
Accommodation Options:
Single-bedroom units:
Sky Suites: 108 sqm
Sky Pool Suites: 164 sqm
One-bedroom Cliff Pool Villas: 198 sqm
Sky Suites and Sky Pool Suites are located in a four-story building in the resort’s northeastern corner.
Multi-bedroom units:
Two-bedroom Sky Penthouse Pool Suite: 246 sqm
Two-bedroom Cliff Pool Villa: 350 sqm
Three-bedroom Cliff Pool Villa: 503 sqm
Large villas:
Presidential Villa: 1,530 sqm
Retreat Villa: 3,626 sqm
These grand villas are situated at the cliff’s edge on the southern side of the resort, offering sweeping ocean views.
In-Depth Experience:
Two of the most popular accommodations are the Sky Pool Suites and the One-bedroom Cliff Pool Villas, each offering unique experiences and design features.
Sky Pool Suite:
Located in the northeast section, this suite is part of a four-story building, with 12 out of the 28 rooms featuring private pools. The building’s exterior is clad in beige stone, with terraces that create a layered, dynamic façade. The landscaping integrates greenery into the structure, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment, evoking a simple yet vibrant atmosphere.
One-bedroom Cliff Pool Villa:
This villa is almost twice the size of the Sky Suite, featuring both front and rear courtyards, providing enhanced comfort and privacy. The exterior walls are clad in beige limestone, while warm-toned wood is used for doors and outdoor terraces. Inside, dark gray granite flooring complements locally crafted furniture made from natural materials. The color palette of the rooms includes calming earthy tones such as blues and browns, creating a relaxed atmosphere that aligns with the overall concept of peaceful luxury.
Beyond its exquisite accommodation, Six Senses Uluwatu offers guests an integrated approach to wellness, blending sleep health, clean eating, movement, and self-discovery. This concept begins in each room, where guests can enjoy natural, handcrafted mattresses, cotton bed linens, nourishing bath products, and wholesome snacks. For those seeking deeper insights into their well-being, non-invasive health screenings are available to measure key health indicators, allowing resort experts to offer personalized lifestyle and nutrition advice, as well as tailored activity plans.
One of the standout features of Six Senses Uluwatu is its spa, though unlike other Six Senses resorts where spas are typically nestled in vast natural environments, the Bali property situates its wellness center centrally within the resort. Guests can access the spa area via a scenic pathway running along the resort’s axis, designed with layers of local Balinese landscape and lush greenery. As visitors descend the path through expansive relaxation platforms, they arrive at the Cliff Ocean Hall, which serves as a gathering point for various spa and wellness activities.
At the heart of the resort, the Cliff Ocean Hall becomes the gateway to the spa, yoga pavilion, boutique shops, and dining venues. This journey, from the reception to the villas, organic gardens, and oceanfront spaces, highlights how the architects skillfully merged traditional Balinese architectural elements with minimalist design principles, emphasizing sustainability.
Traditional Balinese architecture, which influenced much of Six Senses Uluwatu’s design, is deeply rooted in the region’s cultural and spiritual practices. Utilizing locally sourced materials, this vernacular style integrates Hindu traditions and ancient Javanese influences. Balinese structures are predominantly made from organic materials like thatch, coconut wood, bamboo, teak, and stone, ensuring a harmonious relationship with the surrounding environment.
Four key characteristics define traditional Balinese architecture:
Ventilation: Large windows and open spaces between the roof and walls promote natural airflow, ensuring a cool interior climate.
Solid Foundation: Following the Hindu philosophy of Tri Loka, a strong foundation symbolizes human feet, giving the house strength and stability.
Large Courtyards: Reflecting the concept of harmony with nature, traditional homes often feature spacious courtyards that merge with the surrounding landscape.
Protective Walls: High boundary walls provide privacy and protection from negative energies, a key element in traditional Balinese homes.
The spa at Six Senses Uluwatu is located between the villa area and the cliffside restaurant. Guests enter through a retail-equipped reception area, adjacent to a yoga pavilion, before crossing a water-inspired pathway to reach the treatment zone, which houses ten treatment rooms alongside a fitness center. While the tranquil atmosphere, enhanced by water features and lush greenery, offers a calming respite, the spa’s more enclosed layout contrasts with the expansive, open-air spa settings found at other Six Senses locations. However, the resort has ongoing expansion plans, hinting that future developments may elevate the spa experience.
In addition to wellness offerings, the spa area features a boutique, a cooking school where guests can learn traditional Balinese recipes, and a complimentary ice cream station. The tranquil ambiance of this central area serves as a peaceful transition between the private villas and the more lively cliffside oceanfront.
At the cliff’s edge, the resort offers not only stunning views but also unique facilities, including a cliff bar and a local Balinese restaurant. The spacious outdoor dining areas create a dramatic setting for enjoying panoramic ocean views.
Nearby, the cliff bar hosts an open-air cinema, which screens films at 7:30 PM each evening. The combination of sunset, ocean views, and cinematic experience creates an undeniably romantic atmosphere.
Six Senses Uluwatu blends natural beauty and local culture with an array of unique experiences, from temple visits and diving to surfing and aerial adventures. However, its standout offering is the exceptional wedding venue services. With breathtaking cliffside views and versatile facilities, the resort caters to weddings of various sizes, with venues accommodating up to 500 guests. There are four key wedding locations: the Resort Villa, the Owner’s Villa, the AARUNYA Water Platform, and the ANDAKKARA Lawn.
1. Resort Villa
Located in the southeast corner of the resort, the Resort Villa offers exclusive access through private roads and pathways, ensuring wedding guests avoid crossing paths with other hotel guests. This villa features four bedrooms (two with private pools) and two wedding venues: a poolside platform for up to 80 guests and a lawn area with a small banquet hall, accommodating up to 170 guests.
2. Owner’s Villa
Situated in the southwest of the resort, the Owner’s Villa is the largest, most luxurious villa, with four bedrooms, a living room, and exclusive wedding access. It also boasts three private pavilions and a bar, offering ample space for wedding setups, including food stations. Two water platforms on either side of the lawn can be used for cocktail receptions, while a lookout point at the end of the platform serves as a stunning backdrop for photos, with panoramic ocean views. Additionally, the villa has two smaller banquet halls, perfect for VIP rooms or after-party lounges, making it the largest wedding venue in Bali, accommodating up to 500 guests.
3. AARUNYA Water Platform
Adjacent to the Resort Villa, the AARUNYA Water Platform is ideal for semi-indoor/outdoor wedding ceremonies. It includes an outdoor lawn and a water platform where a floating stage can be set up, directly connected to an indoor banquet hall for post-wedding celebrations. While not as lavish as the villa venues, this flexible space allows for venue-only bookings, without overnight stays. The lawn and platform area can accommodate up to 60 guests, while the banquet hall holds up to 170 guests.
4. ANDAKKARA Lawn
Located next to the Owner’s Villa, the ANDAKKARA Lawn is perched atop the Uluwatu cliffs, making it the perfect setting for outdoor weddings. This 3,000-square-foot (278 sqm) lawn is equipped with a bridal preparation room and can accommodate up to 70 guests. The venue can be combined with the Owner’s Villa for a more expansive wedding experience.
These four wedding venues provide a variety of options for different guest sizes and wedding styles, while the resort’s villa accommodations ensure a seamless blend of celebration and relaxation, capturing the essence of Bali as a world-renowned honeymoon destination.
Sustainability & Eco-Friendly Design
Six Senses' commitment to sustainability is another hallmark of the brand. Across its global portfolio, Six Senses integrates eco-conscious practices, tailored to the local environment. The key sustainability initiatives at Six Senses Uluwatu include:
1. Earth Lab
The resort’s Earth Lab features a recycling system that processes waste into compost or reusable materials, including paper, metal, glass, and plastic. Six Senses also collaborates with certified local companies to ensure sustainable waste management.
2. Plastic-Free Bali
Six Senses Uluwatu works with suppliers to reduce unnecessary packaging, using recyclable containers and bulk purchases. In the food production sector, washable crates or linen bags replace plastic bags and wraps. Guests are also encouraged to avoid using plastic film on their luggage.
3. Sustainable Architecture & Design
The resort's modern Balinese design showcases local culture and reflects Six Senses' commitment to responsibility. All furniture is crafted on the island using sustainably certified Indonesian wood. The rooms are equipped with smart appliances, while lighting and climate control are managed by automated systems to minimize energy consumption. Roof designs reduce the need for air conditioning.
4. Sustainable Dining
Fresh produce is harvested from the resort’s organic garden and served to guests. Herbs are distilled on-site to create essential oils for spa treatments. Free-range chickens produce organic eggs while relaxing to music, and goats are used for landscaping and milk production for homemade cheeses. Food and landscaping waste is composted, generating 440 pounds (200 kg) of natural fertilizer every two months. Used cooking oil is converted into biodiesel, and coffee capsules and cleaning products are returned to suppliers for upcycling. Grey and black water is treated and combined with rainwater for landscaping and firefighting purposes, while the resort bottles its own water using purified well water.
5. Local Education Program
Six Senses Uluwatu supports the Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak orphanage by selling dolls in guest rooms, with proceeds donated to the organization. This initiative provides food, education, and employment opportunities to underprivileged children and their families, offering guests a meaningful way to contribute to the local community.
6. Promoting Local Employment
Committed to hiring locally, 40% of the resort’s staff comes from surrounding areas. The resort offers six-month internships for top students and work experience for university students majoring in tourism.
7. Green Certification
Six Senses Uluwatu is the only resort in Bali certified by the World Green Building Council, marking it as a leader in eco-friendly luxury.。
Project Summary:
In Bali’s highly competitive luxury resort landscape, Six Senses Uluwatu stands out as a haven of tranquility, embodying the brand’s “slow life” philosophy. Nestled in a rare and unique natural setting, the resort offers guests a retreat from the hustle and bustle, immersed in the beauty of Bali’s secluded natural wonders. With an emphasis on wellness, spiritual renewal, and self-discovery, Six Senses Uluwatu positions itself as the epitome of luxury within the high-end resort sector.
The resort’s versatile wedding venues also capitalize on Bali’s reputation as a premier destination for romantic getaways, catering to the needs and curiosities of couples seeking a distinctive experience. By integrating Bali’s natural beauty and cultural richness into its architectural design, Six Senses Uluwatu combines minimalist aesthetics with a deep respect for local traditions, creating an atmosphere that fosters balance and a return to the essentials.
Moreover, the resort’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable practices is a model that should be embraced globally. By leveraging local resources and celebrating the island’s unique landscape, Six Senses Uluwatu offers a thoughtful, eco-conscious luxury experience that aligns with global sustainability efforts while honoring Bali’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
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