The Six Senses Spa at Oman’s Leading Spa Resort, Six Senses Zighy Bay is ready to welcome 2014 with a new face; lead by recently-recruited Spa Director Mr. Souhel El-Achbah.  Souhel and the team aim to put the heavily lauded spa on the map as the region’s premier destination for wellness and rejuvenation.  Conjunct with the new leadership are structural changes at the Spa, including a facelift to the reception, retail and relaxation areas, corridors and hammams. 

With over 16 years of industry experience, Souhel El-Achbah was recruited to drive forth revenue, operations and wellness integration within the Spa.  His canon of five-star spa resorts has placed Souhel throughout Europe and the Middle East, in particular as: pre-opening Spa Director with the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Wolfsburg, Germany; Spa Director at Mandara Spa at the JW Marriott in Cairo; as well as with Möevenpick Hotels and Resorts in Germany.

Vice President of Spas Anna Bjurstam commented on Souhel’s appointment, “Six Senses has been trying to attract Souhel El-Achbah over a period of time, and we are extremely excited that he has chosen to join us in Zighy Bay. We look forward to developing our future Six Senses Spa at Zighy Bay strategy and concept with Souhel.”

Director of Wellness Steve Harvey continues to drive forth the five unique wellness programmes** as well as the holistic calendar of Visiting Practitioners.  Here he can focus as resident wellness expert; delivering his integrated bodywork, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), life and relationship coaching through his bespoke Steppingstone Sessions®, and reiki to in house guests. 

Architect-Designer Ms. Samya Ronda is responsible for the structural advances in the Spa.  Part of the design team at INTERMASS Engineering and Contracting Company, LLC, Samya is working from drawings provided by the Creative Team at Six Senses Hotels Resorts and Spas and integrating them into the existing Omani design, ensuring local flair and materials are used.  She has spent extensive time in the Spa, reviewing its design, “I received input that was very helpful to understand how guests, therapists and receptionists utilise each area.  This way we ensure that the function is as important as the appearance,” states Samya.

The first of the amendments is the reception and retail area, completed earlier in the month. A new welcome and reception desk replaces the juice bar, and the retail area is combined into a more shopping-friendly layout which includes a counter for product demonstration.  The next changes will be made to the two Moroccan hammams; creating a new steam area, inclusion of a traditional barma, a center treatment table, as well as soft touches to the lighting and relaxation areas.  Completion of the hammams is scheduled in March, 2014. The final phase of transformation includes amendment to the service areas and central corridor, scheduled for completion before summer, 2014.