Six Senses Zighy Bay

The Musandam Peninsula, which is the home of Six Senses Zighy Bay, is separated from the rest of Oman, and best reached by a two-hour drive from Dubai. The descent down to this private pool villa resort is spectacular and can be made via a tandem paraglide flight, by speedboat from the nearby port of Dibba or by 4x4.

This is a luxurious and peaceful resort, where you can be as active or relaxed as you choose. The resort has been designed along the lines of a traditional Omani village and the villas are set among date palms, fig and pomegranate trees and linked by sandy walkways. The style is rustic chic and the atmosphere exclusive but casual.

Each villa includes an infinity-edged pool and a GEM (Guest Experience Maker) host to ensure you get the most from your stay. The 82 villas have been designed to reflect Omani-style with stone floors, stucco walls, sand gardens, dark wood furniture and burnt orange soft furnishings, providing stylish pops of colour. All villas include private gardens with a plunge pool, a king-size bed, premium linens, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, state-of-the-art technology for music and entertainment, flat-screen TV and Satellite TV. The accommodation options include a beachfront location, a two-bedroom villa for larger families or groups or the ultimate four-bedroom option of the Private Reserve, which includes a private beachfront location, spa room, gym and yoga studio.

The Spice Market is the resort’s main restaurant serving Arabic cuisine, while the Summer House has a relaxed vibe and serves light lunches and snacks. For food with a view head to Sense of the Edge, which offers fine dining and some of the best views in Oman. For those who would like to experience traditional Bedouin communal dining, the Shua Shack serves food made in an underground oven at convivial shared tables. It is also possible to dine in the wine cellar where two to eight guests can enjoy paired tastings and guidance from the resort’s master sommelier. And if you are looking for a cocktail to watch the sun go down, the relaxed ambience of the Zighy Bar overlooking the Wadi is the place to go.

Along with the private villa pools, Six Senses Zighy Bay offers two communal pools, one of which is saltwater, and gardens dotted with hammocks and complimentary ice cream. There is also a Six Senses award-winning spa, which along with treatments and massage, also offers a series of wellness programmes. For the active there are tennis courts, a well-equipped gym, non-motorised watersports, including sailing, kayaking and windsurfing. With the Arabian Sea spread before you and the majestic mountains rising behind you, this natural playground offers huge scope for indulging in activities and mountain trekking, biking and paragliding are all on offer here. Families will love Cinema Paradiso, a chance to enjoy a movie on the beach under the stars. In fact, with separate kids' and teens' clubs and spacious accommodation, families are well-catered for at Zighy Bay. Whether you come for a complete rest, an active break or a stopover en route to the Indian Subcontinent or Asia, we would recommend Zighy Bay to those who enjoy barefoot luxury and exquisite service in a spectacular setting.

When to go

The most popular time to visit northern Oman is from November to March, when daytime temperatures are around 25-30 degrees Celsius, with warm seas and blue skies. Whilst there may be the odd rainy day, these are pretty infrequent, although occasionally there can be tropical storms which can last a few days. From May to September, humidity and temperatures soar, with July and August often experiencing temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius.