PHUKET: Six Senses Sanctuary, one of Phuket's most interesting experiments in luxury tourism, closes on Sunday for a huge branding and marketing makeover.
In a dramatic change of direction, the pacesetting health and wellbeing destination will return as The Naka Islands, a Luxury Collection resort and spa, under Starwood management.
Instead of being the Phuket region's most exotic offshore destination, with helicopter drop-ins and a no-alcohol policy, The Naka Island will be transformed into 67 pool villas.
Phuketwan believes that Erawan, the property's owners, have agreed with Starwood to spend 70 million baht revitalising the island hideaway and turning the concept around.
In what now appears to have been one final attempt to stick with the original strategy, Six Senses Destination Spa became Six Senses Sanctuary Phuket in November.
Go to the address online of the Six Senses Sanctuary, Phuket, and you find the following message:
Dearest Guest,
Six Senses Resorts & Spas and Owners have come to a mutual decision to end the Management Agreement relating to Six Senses Sanctuary, Phuket. As a result Six Senses Sanctuary will close on July 31st 2011.
A new operating company will take over the responsibility for the resort on August 1st 2011.
Six Senses Resorts & Spas has been operating Six Senses Sanctuary, formerly Six Senses Destination Spa, for three years. During that time Six Senses Sanctuary has achieved much success, a committed, enthusiastic following from guests and a strong reputation in the industry, including many awards; Tatler Spa of the year 2008, Conde Nast Traveller Hot List UK 2009, Conde Nast Traveler Hot List US 2009 and Best Spa, Asia Spa Awards.
The brand, Six Senses Sanctuary will continue as part of Six Senses future development portfolio.
We are looking forward to welcoming you to Six Senses Properties in Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam, Oman, and Jordan.
The Sanctuary, it can now be said, has become a retreat. Sanctuary's 70th and perhaps final review on tripadvisor.com, which we have taken the liberty of quoting in full, puts it neatly:
''Six Senses is the most beautiful property I have ever seen. Set on an island about five minutes from the mainland accessed by speed boat, for the moment you arrive you are surrounded by luxury. The property has been built with no expense spared and it shows. The villas are sublime, each with its own dip pool, outdoor shower, deep garden bath and steam room. The finishes of the structures throughout the resort are impecable, everything has been thought of and has been attended to. The public areas are just as beautiful as the villas and the spa is just unbelievable. It really is heaven on earth.
''However, this property is currently being taken over by new management. When we stayed the resort was being managed as a 'wellness resort'. This meant that the food was essentially vegetarian and based on a raw food concept. Salt, sugar and butter were rare to find, potions were considered. The activities were health and fitness based, including yoga, thai boxing, kayaking and gym circuits. The spa had a mix of relaxation treatments and if required healing treatments. Overall the philosophy of the resort was to promote relaxation and rejuvination through promotion of healthy eating, exercise, massage and sleep. It was certainly very successful in doing this and our stay here was the finest experiences we have ever had.
''The food was just perfect, salads to die for and flavors that danced across our palate each time we sat down to enjoy a meal. The fresh range of juices were fantastic, in all the food was delicious.
The spa was amazing, from the special tea severed at the start right down to the bettle leaf treat and ginger tea served in the tea garden at the end, overall the whole experience in the spa was second to none. The facility is quite amazing.
''All in all the Six Senses Sanctuary was heaven on earth . . . Sadly however it will be under new management as of next month (august 2011) . . . So lets see if the food can remain the same, or if it becomes beer by the pool, computers and mobile phones across the public areas and hamburgers and chips. Be interested to see how the new management go. They certainly have the most beautiful property to work with.'' Kengkla
In a dramatic change of direction, the pacesetting health and wellbeing destination will return as The Naka Islands, a Luxury Collection resort and spa, under Starwood management.
Instead of being the Phuket region's most exotic offshore destination, with helicopter drop-ins and a no-alcohol policy, The Naka Island will be transformed into 67 pool villas.
Phuketwan believes that Erawan, the property's owners, have agreed with Starwood to spend 70 million baht revitalising the island hideaway and turning the concept around.
In what now appears to have been one final attempt to stick with the original strategy, Six Senses Destination Spa became Six Senses Sanctuary Phuket in November.
Go to the address online of the Six Senses Sanctuary, Phuket, and you find the following message:
Dearest Guest,
Six Senses Resorts & Spas and Owners have come to a mutual decision to end the Management Agreement relating to Six Senses Sanctuary, Phuket. As a result Six Senses Sanctuary will close on July 31st 2011.
A new operating company will take over the responsibility for the resort on August 1st 2011.
Six Senses Resorts & Spas has been operating Six Senses Sanctuary, formerly Six Senses Destination Spa, for three years. During that time Six Senses Sanctuary has achieved much success, a committed, enthusiastic following from guests and a strong reputation in the industry, including many awards; Tatler Spa of the year 2008, Conde Nast Traveller Hot List UK 2009, Conde Nast Traveler Hot List US 2009 and Best Spa, Asia Spa Awards.
The brand, Six Senses Sanctuary will continue as part of Six Senses future development portfolio.
We are looking forward to welcoming you to Six Senses Properties in Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam, Oman, and Jordan.
The Sanctuary, it can now be said, has become a retreat. Sanctuary's 70th and perhaps final review on tripadvisor.com, which we have taken the liberty of quoting in full, puts it neatly:
''Six Senses is the most beautiful property I have ever seen. Set on an island about five minutes from the mainland accessed by speed boat, for the moment you arrive you are surrounded by luxury. The property has been built with no expense spared and it shows. The villas are sublime, each with its own dip pool, outdoor shower, deep garden bath and steam room. The finishes of the structures throughout the resort are impecable, everything has been thought of and has been attended to. The public areas are just as beautiful as the villas and the spa is just unbelievable. It really is heaven on earth.
''However, this property is currently being taken over by new management. When we stayed the resort was being managed as a 'wellness resort'. This meant that the food was essentially vegetarian and based on a raw food concept. Salt, sugar and butter were rare to find, potions were considered. The activities were health and fitness based, including yoga, thai boxing, kayaking and gym circuits. The spa had a mix of relaxation treatments and if required healing treatments. Overall the philosophy of the resort was to promote relaxation and rejuvination through promotion of healthy eating, exercise, massage and sleep. It was certainly very successful in doing this and our stay here was the finest experiences we have ever had.
''The food was just perfect, salads to die for and flavors that danced across our palate each time we sat down to enjoy a meal. The fresh range of juices were fantastic, in all the food was delicious.
The spa was amazing, from the special tea severed at the start right down to the bettle leaf treat and ginger tea served in the tea garden at the end, overall the whole experience in the spa was second to none. The facility is quite amazing.
''All in all the Six Senses Sanctuary was heaven on earth . . . Sadly however it will be under new management as of next month (august 2011) . . . So lets see if the food can remain the same, or if it becomes beer by the pool, computers and mobile phones across the public areas and hamburgers and chips. Be interested to see how the new management go. They certainly have the most beautiful property to work with.'' Kengkla
As a seasoned hotel owner, I will say that the TripAdvisor review sounds 'too perfect' and knowledagable of the takeover circumstances to be true - I suspect someone posted the final review from the existing management team...
Simon
Posted by Simon Luttrell on July 30, 2011 13:07