Neil Jacobs has announced that today (3 July, 2025) marks his final day as CEO of Six Senses, concluding more than 13 years at the helm of one of hospitality’s most purpose-driven luxury brands.
In a heartfelt message to colleagues and industry partners, Jacobs reflected on a remarkable journey:
“Leading Six Senses has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. From the start, we set out to create something different: a brand rooted in purpose and guided by the belief that hospitality can be both deeply meaningful and genuinely regenerative. We didn’t just build hotels, we built a culture where sustainability, wellness, design, and experience were always in service of something greater.”
Under his leadership, Six Senses expanded from just eight hotels to 26 operational properties worldwide, with more than 30 additional openings in the pipeline. “I am incredibly proud of how far we have come,” Jacobs said, while underscoring that it was ultimately the people who defined the brand’s success.
“What matters most to me are the people: my colleagues, partners, and mentors who brought this vision to life with passion, creativity, and courage. You’ve shaped me in ways I’ll carry forward always, and made this chapter not just memorable, but truly transformative.”
Jacobs also made clear that stepping down does not signal a retreat from the industry. “Some might assume stepping down means slowing down or retiring. That road is not for me,” he wrote. “I’ll soon be announcing a new venture, one that feels like a return to my own wild origins… More to come soon.”
A brand flourishing in Saudi Arabia
Jacobs departs as Six Senses embarks on one of its most ambitious regional growth phases yet — including significant investments in Saudi Arabia.
In November 2023, the brand celebrated the grand opening of Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, its first property in Saudi Arabia and a cornerstone of The Red Sea destination’s initial phase. Located inland amid sweeping desert landscapes, the resort was designed to showcase Saudi Arabia’s unique natural beauty and heritage while embodying Six Senses’ regenerative ethos. Southern Dunes features 36 guest rooms and 40 pool villas, alongside extensive wellness programming and desert-inspired experiences, all aimed at supporting local culture and ecosystems.
This opening was widely seen as a statement of confidence in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its strategy to develop luxury tourism in pristine, previously untouched areas.
Looking ahead, Six Senses has committed to two further landmark projects in the Kingdom:
- Six Senses Amaala, part of the ultra-luxury Amaala development along the Red Sea coast, designed to become a global hub for wellness, sustainability, and transformative experiences.
- Six Senses Wadi Safar, near Riyadh, which promises to blend immersive cultural encounters with the brand’s signature focus on holistic wellbeing. Both resorts are set to open by 2027.
A legacy rooted in meaningful hospitality
Reflecting on his tenure, Jacobs highlighted how Six Senses pushed boundaries well beyond traditional hospitality:
“From eight hotels to 26 open properties, with more than 30 on the way, I am incredibly proud of how far we have come. But what matters most is how we did it — building a culture where every element, from design to community engagement, was about creating something that genuinely made a difference.”
In Saudi Arabia, that legacy is poised to continue. With projects designed to celebrate local environments and support long-term ecological and cultural stewardship, Six Senses is helping redefine what luxury travel can look like in the Kingdom — exactly in line with the aspirations of Vision 2030.
A new chapter ahead
As for what comes next, Jacobs offered only a hint: “I’ll soon be announcing a new venture, one that feels like a return to my own wild origins. A chance to explore fresh ideas, challenge assumptions, and collaborate with kindred spirits who believe, as I do, that hospitality can be a force for good.”
Stay tuned for more news on Neil’s “Wild Origins” project as they come to hand…
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Read also: Six Senses Red Sea test case: GM Fredrik Blomqvist says “bring it on”!
