With its reputation for environmental awareness, sustainable development and wildlife conservation, Six Senses was perhaps always destined to open a resort in the Galapagos Islands, a fragile eco-system of 19 islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Guests at Six Senses Galapagos will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the islands’ indigenous wildlife – including giant tortoises, blue footed boobies, Galapagos albatrosses, sea lions and marine iguanas – which have thrived for hundreds of years due to the absence of predators. Visitors will be able to follow the sustainable projects carried out at the resort at the Earth Lab, which will showcase ongoing initiatives in ecosystem restoration, marine research and low-impact tourism; and the Experience Center, where academics and NGOs will carry our research and educational activities.
The resort’s culinary team will source fresh produce from local fishermen and farmers to fuel the Eat With Six Senses healthy dining programme, and plant an organic vegetable garden with a view to eliminating the need to import produce from the mainland 1,000km away. Sustainability starts from the initial design of the resort, which is situated on a grassy hill overlooking the Pacific on the northeastern coast of San Cristobal Island. Eco-architectural firm HM Design – which worked on Al Maha Desert Camp & Spa and Souk Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai as well as a plethora of other global eco-design projects – is master-planning the resort, following extensive consultancy with the local community.
World-renowned bamboo architect Simon Velez has designed the Earth Lab, Experience Center and Observation Post – at which guests will be able to study the stars and enjoy fine dining experiences – and local healing and herbalist treatments will be incorporated into the programme at the spa.
www.sixsenses.com