Six Senses Napa Valley Resort to Open in 2026 My first real job was in Portugal. Neil provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. Neil Jacobs, CEO, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas - Hospitality Design What do you look for in a collaborator? This approach to service begins with empathy and a desire to understand the guests needs and wants, both spoken and unspoken. Japan went broke so all the hotel deals stopped. So, I kind of thought, How do I stay alive? And did some consulting gigs wherever anybody would pay me until one day, I remember it well, I was sitting in the Mandarin in Jakarta in Indonesia working a consulting job on a hotel in Jakarta. Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs on Sustainable Luxury - Elite Traveler Who we are isnt necessarily what a building looks like but how it expresses our mission. Thats truly the joy. A visionary, he brings his unique look on hotels in service to the decision-makers in the industry, whether to enhance the development of new projects or strategic visions. Today, Six Senses has approximately 23 operational properties and around 1,100 keys worldwide. Well, weve been full since the day we opened, like 95 percent. With over three decades of experience in the operation, development and transactional side of hotels and spas, Neil is passionate about wellness, sustainability, inventive design, food and experiential travel. Advanced. Hi Neil, how are you today? That youre like, Okay, I should never do that again. And I can tell you the one edit mistake that Ive made that lives with me for the rest of my life, but is there one time or thing or lesson? Six Senses is in a category unto itself, and Jacobs is both its guardian and bellwether of great design. Neil attended Westminster Hotel School in London and received a diploma in French Civilization from La Sorbonne in Paris, France. Honestly, Id love to tell you a whole story about that, but no they didnt. In China, we have other projects that we arent able to announce yet. And its really one subject at the end of the day. Its not that we want to second guess everything. Its a storied career that led him to Four Seasons, Starwood Capital Group, and now Singapore with Six Senses. And that was in the mid-to-late 80s. The brilliant mind behind the brand Six Senses | Neil Jacobs I think if I look back on it, its 40 years or so in the business, the stories and the people you meet, right, and the cultures. Apart from building the Middle East as a prime destination market, Jacobs is also aware of its potential as a source market. Six Senses Zighy Bay Mountain Picnic Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn. We have three floors and a rooftop there, and thats where well have a whole bunch of different food and beverage outlets, spaces, lounge space for lectures and get-togethers, and other activities. So that was really how I got into it. We closed I think close to 16 hotels over a three-and-a-half-week period in 15 different countries. They not only were very respectful of the brand and cared about what we cared about, but they were also people and individuals who were willing to listen and work with us and our technical and design group through the process and not be offended if there was something we didnt like or we felt wasnt quite right or so on. I loved Four Seasons. Genuinely, I dont know why they gave me that job because I really didnt know what I was doing, but they did, and I had the time of my life. NJ: Yeah. So between the water and the High Line its like, how do we bring that in? So we moved to Bali, which was an extraordinary time in my life I have to say. Weve effectively recreated a New York bathhouse into very modern, contemporary, and beautiful type of environment there. Six Senses's Chief Executive Officer is Neil Jacobs. We will get it to work. He has hired the best and brightest mindsfrom sleep scientists to wellness expertsto deliver transformative experiences for guests. NJ: Oh, just listen, listen to people, give people the time of day, we all have our opinions. I mean, the train has certainly left the station and everyones talking about it, but I think its incumbent upon us to create opportunities for people to have more engagement in the sustainable practices that we demonstrate and activate in the properties. It has villas, suites and beachfront retreats, each with its own private pool, and Jacobs refers to it as one of Six Senses legacy hotels that continue to do extremely well for us. And where did you grow up? And a lot of time was spent with them and INC and AvroKO, who also did the 1 Hotel in Central Park. And it really ties into our mission, our stated mission that has been for years, this company, which is all about reconnection. Six Senses Vana opened more recently in the Himalayas and is a wellness-focused retreat located close to Rishikesh which is where yoga originated. Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs described the club as "kinda cool." It will be somewhat of a cross between a Rotary Club and Soho House. Sign up to stay informed about our latest awards and events. NJ: So, I mean, we are positive about the future. And so even to find that you guys have other layers that you can dive into, its pretty cool. Here in the Middle East, Six Senses is expected to become the first hotel to open within the mega Red Sea development in Saudi Arabia this year. But that will take us one step further into some really cool, unusual offerings. It includes bringing access to clean water in Maldives or education in Thailandwere involved in all kinds of initiatives that are contextual to where the properties are located.. Neil Jacobs - Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures Our values resonate with and are important to them. Neil B Jacobs, Six Senses Resorts & Spas: Profile and Biography . Neil and his team recently won a Travel+Leisure . We can do that. So, I know people are doing kind of urban farming in Brooklyn somewhat these days, but no ones really done too much of that in Manhattan. Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs: Never listen to advice - Spear's Every hotel has a sustainability director. The growth has been substantial, and also global. And you know, like it or dont like it, it will be different to most any other luxury hotel in New York. As he points out, the Middle East is not currently one of its biggest source markets, but customers from this region are generally high spenders. And my mother was more creative. I worked for three or four days, I didnt leave the hotel. Six Senses Place, the club part of our hotel by INC, which Id worked with on 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, is geared equally to those residents and hotel guests. I mean, all of them. Neil Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer. Having lived in, I dont know, probably nine or 10 countries in my career, just that ability to often to be able to communicate in the language of the country, it just adds a whole degree of richness to the experience. All right you take care. So its incumbent upon all of us in hotels to ensure that our guests are going to be safe. I dont know. Our guests still select to dress well and look stylish, but in a casual, relaxed way. Thats what sealed it for me. Get the latest edition of Hospitality Design magazine, Don't miss the latest from Boutique Design, About | Contact | Buyers Guide | Advertise | Advisory Board | Sitemap, ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY. But I mean, we got to the point where wed spend so much time closing hotels and looking after people and putting fires out and just essentially negative stuff that about three or four weeks ago, we said weve got to start focusing on the positive stuff. Thank you as always Neil for you being you. But wed wanted to expand into Europe, plus it was a beautiful building. Are you just over-communicating? NJ: Well, a couple of, I mean, you take the groups that you just talked about. I studied language and literature, I speak a number of languages, and went to college in Paris for a while, and then in Florence doing history of art. Interior Design: Whats your strategy ahead? Were all looking at all of that stuff because we all have to, but were focusing on how do we create wellness programming that is geared to immune system strengthening, how do we create content that is more around energy and the heart? And how did you, yeah. Following his 25-year tenure with Starwood, Neil became Chief Executive Officer and Co-owner of the premium luxury company, Per AQUUM Retreats & Resorts. We have strict guidelines about where wood comes from and how fabrics are treated. COVID-19 has slowed the development of these projects. We will be launching our club concept in London next year. NJ: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Vietnam reopened in early May. Neil Jacobs was inducted into HDs Platinum Circle hall of fame in November 2022. So that will be the first Six Senses Place that we actually do. With Jacobs as CEO, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has done just that. Neil Jacobs Steers Wellness Hotel Brand Six Senses Through the Pandemic and Beyond - Interior Design September 24, 2020 Text: Jane Margolies Neil Jacobs Steers Wellness Hotel Brand Six Senses Through the Pandemic and Beyond To call Neil Jacobs a hospitality veteran is an understatement. And the obvious things that everyone is doing and were all looking at housekeeping, were all looking at hygiene. He speaks six languages, went to college in Paris, studied art history in Florence, and has lived in nearly a dozen countries. Building on the success of the Six Senses brand and expanding its ecosystem to non-hotel guests, Six Senses Place will serve as its club concept that is going to be rolled out in major global locations over the coming months. Were hoping to open [Southern Dunes] in late summer this year. The Seychelles was a relatively new destination back then. And I figured, the hotel business was a good way to see the world. And in essence, throw me into a jail in Caracas, which is where I stayed for, I dont know, probably eight or nine days actually. Neil Jacobs email address & phone number | Six Senses Hotels Resorts It is the only brand building in the Galapagos; it recently restored a 14th-century fort in India; the brand is expanding into residences; and it has taken on the off-the-grid, energy-positive Svart, a circular resort in Norway dreamt up by Snhetta. Back then, the company was smallmostly beachfront resorts in Southeast Asia. And what did you find that you needed to do for New York for an urban location? However, probably 65-70 per cent of our business comes from five major source markets: UK, France, Germany, US and China, but not necessarily in that order. And how are you keeping your team, all the different hotel teams and in house teams positive during this. And I think as you said, its going to be so top of mind that people will be hungry for it, looking for it, and positioning yourself in that way is exciting. Bye. SSR: Good. But I have to, when that happens, its like, stop. And how we wanted to be perceived and how we wanted to behave once this started to be over. So, its not just about spending on sustainability in the hotel, its about going outside of the hotel. Neil Jacobs, Six Senses - Luxury Hotel Expert You know, we had stayed close to them over the years after having done Baccarat. He ended his run there as senior vice president of operations Asia Pacific to join Starwood Capital Group as president of global hotel operations. NJ: Talk to you soon, all right. ID: Have you tweaked anything because of COVID? With the corporate team, the same, I mean the leadership group and were split between Bangkok, Singapore, Sweden, and London is where the executive group are based, I mean, were talking every day, every day in the afternoon, even if its half an hour or less, its just to check in on each other. SPOTLIGHT with Neil Jacobs, CEO, Six Senses - YouTube Six Senses Welcomes Neil Palmer as Chief Operating Officer Well, we dont believe thats the case. Six Senses CEO and key executive team | Craft.co If its not 90, its going to be 88 thats for sure. On arrival at one of our resorts, we invite guests to remove their shoes. Neil Jacobs. They seem to be pretty organized here. And on the way out, the guy who arrested me called me in and said, Clearly Mr. Jacobs you know people in high places and so were going to let you go. It sounds clich because Im not the first person to say it but to empower people to do what they do well because thats what creates great organizations and great loyalty. He's determined for the eco-resort brand to serve a larger purpose, with environmental impact top of mind. See a whole year of Reward Seat Availability on one page at SeatSpy.com, Smart traveller: Our guide to hand luggage allowances, Harder, faster, lighter, stronger, smarter, Italys FS launches luxury Treni Turistica, Six Senses Kanuhura re-opens its doors after refurbishment, Six Senses announces new opening in Saudis Amaala development, IHGs Six Senses brand gears up for Rome debut, To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below. I mean, our employees is still masked. It's been a great year for Six Senses. Its all very social. No, thats super, super exciting to hear. So thats kind of one piece of it that youll be able to use the spa as a hotel guest or as a member of a club, or even from outside, you dont have to be a member to go and use the spa. We brought in Clodaghwho really understands sustainability and wellnessto translate our value set into a building that did have corridors and was set up like a hotel. The likelihood is were going to do 90 percent occupancy for the month of May. So in addition to the wellness, dining, and cultural offerings, there will also be a workplace. But with its emphasis on wellness, community, and sustainability, Six Senses, now owned by IHG, may be well positioned to ride out the storm. Chief Executive Officer. The leading authority for the Architecture & Design community, RMW Architecture & Interiors Designs a Silicon Valley Office. Turning a page In real terms it's about $1,700. No credit card required. How is life there? Its not an easy thing to pull off correctly. So to me hospitality at the time was I knew I wanted to travel, that was the thing that was clear with me and wanted to use the languages Id learned. NJ: Well, weve got great light to the rooms, you know? NJ: Okay my dear. So long answer to short question, Im sorry, but thats the kind of stuff were focusing on right now. I mean, he just was just astounding the impact that he had at that TED conference, so I always wanted to work with him. And I had to go to immigration a couple of times to get my work permit and sort it out. Id done the Baccarat with Dorothe and Patrick. But people want to be back out there. Jacobs explains that it has reached around 86-87 per cent of its plastic-free target, and that involved a mammoth effort in working internally on its operations, as well as with its external partners across its supply chain. So we built in that ability. With the current state of affairs, he neednt worry about that happening in the near term. It allows us to showcase the Six Senses lifestyle, he says. Not the Neil Jacobs you were looking for? In fact, we dont want them to. NJ: Warm, soft, comfortable. LUX: How far are your wellness beliefs rooted in your personal values and lived experience? Its like really getting out of jail, and we want the freedom to run around and behave like children, which is very heartwarming in some ways, but its also encouraging as to what perhaps the future is going to bring as in when we do start reopening in other parts of the world. Our warm-weather resorts have outdoor restaurants, and there are villas instead of big hotel buildings with long corridors. NJ: I grew up in London. Six Senses's Chief Executive Officer is Neil Jacobs. Were spending all this money on a club. It was pretty bad, but it took about four days to get the system moving and then ultimately I moved out. So some of it was protected, but Foster + Partner are the design architects and AvroKO is doing the interiors. I left when I was, I dont know, 20, 21, and I never really went back to live at any rate. You know, every designer will tell you, Yeah, sure. Is anyone ever going to go to a club again? But this thing just changes and move so fast, and peoples emotional reactions to it all is changing all the time. Find contact details for 700 million professionals. Here, he speaks to Samantha Welsh about the brand's wellness model. And youll have others who are a little more adventurous, but even those people want to know that theyre going to be safe. Get the latest edition of Hospitality Design magazine, Don't miss the latest from Boutique Design, About | Contact | Buyers Guide | Advertise | Advisory Board | Sitemap, ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY. This person touches every single department of the hotel and sits on the executive committee of the hotel. I think its a Hyatt now. And they just get off boats and the first thing they want to do is rip their masks off and just kind of tear the clothes off and jump into the sea, even to the point that we had to say to guests guys please take it easy. But that has always been part of our DNA. We can do this, we can do that. But to us, its just so important to have people that genuinely care about what we care about, because if thats in place, well get it to work, right. So, ended up making a few phone calls and managing to go higher up. So for our team, our corporate team, a majority of whom are in Bangkok, its been a really, really intense time for sure in last few weeks. And we also think that people inherently want to travel. The Six Senses Douro Valleys dining room designed by, Do Not Sell or Share my Personal Information. As for the rooftop, the developer assumed we would be installing a pool up there. Its Six Senses Residencesare available for purchase in several of its properties including Con Dao in Vietnam,Courchevel in France, Fiji,Seychelles, Ibiza andTrkiye, with planned offerings in Austria,Switzerland and London, among other locations. Were all hearing that no one will go to the office anymore. Its an evolution that has much to do with Jacobs leadership. So that parts good. Here are the edited. And then the first week in January I left the country and moved to Colorado. Neil Jacobs on why Six Senses is on the verge of major growth 23 Jun 2023 by Varun Godinho In 2019, the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) made a bold move when it acquired Six Senses. Shifting sights to Europe, in 2015 the company took over a 19th-century manor house turned hotel in Portugal, hired Clodagh, and remade it into Six Senses Douro Valley, which has the countrys highest occupancy rate. Save the date for the industry's leading event in Las Vegas, April 30thMay 2nd, 2024. NJ: Some on our team thought we shouldnt do Douro Valleyit wasnt us. Our [building] standards are LEED Silver as a minimum. But thats the biggest mistake ever. Luxury Resorts, Spa Escapes - Six Senses About Us Partners. My first GM job was in the Seychelle in the mid-70s I think. And I had a call from Four Seasons and they said, We hear youre in Indonesia. I said, Yeah. They said, Well, why dont you pop over to Bali and look at what were doing there. And Im kind of an old TED-ster, I guess we call them from way back and would diligently go to the international one every year. The booming development of Six Senses - CPP-LUXURY I mean, they do very beautiful sensual design and its got a touch of that. Sustainable materials are outside and in. And the facade is this beautiful natural travertine. NJ: Actually, the connection I mentioned earlier is manifested in Bjarkes architecture. So government is really looking after their people and were happy to have guests in our hotels here. And its just fascinating to see our guests arrive, we have an advantage of being either on private islands or away from the cities. Resources. It was pretty horrific. India a very important market, committed to do more in the country: Six What to Know Before Payments Resume, Canada Bans Some Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Meeting Decade-Old G-20 Pledge, Solar Manufacturing in the US Is Facing a Bleak Future, Analysts Warn, Mass Shootings Disproportionately VictimizeBlack Americans, In Houston, a Net-Zero Building Takes Inspiration From the Bayou, Crowded Singapore Makes Room forMicrogyms, Binance and CEO Zhao Plan to Seek Dismissal of CFTC Complaint, Sam Bankman-Fried Agrees to Gag Order With Bail Status in Jeopardy, Stan Lee NFT Collection Sells Out Almost Instantly, Rises 500%, Chief Executive Officer, Six Senses Resorts & Spas. And were therefore designing hotels now with much bigger units, and multi-bedroom accommodations as well. Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, is a pioneer in the wellness movement. These labs were meant to educate guests, and actively engage in wide-ranging issues including reducing consumption, encouraging local production and supporting nearby communities and ecosystems. So we have both. Based in Singapore, he was responsible for the operation of 16 hotels throughout the Asia Pacific region with 10 additional properties under development in China, India, Vietnam and the Indian Ocean. The good news is that its changing. His career includes stints at Four Seasons, where he spent 14 years helping run the Asia-Pacific region; five years at Starwood Capital Group, where, alongside Barry Sternlicht, he led the development of the Baccarat and 1 Hotels brands; and for the past decade, Six Senses, where hes been integral in growing the brand, combining his passion for sustainability with innovative design and experiential travel. We have a pipeline today of over 40 projects, of which around the low twenties are under construction, or in development.