The IHG Group is continuing its expansion in the luxury hotel sector. After taking over 51 % of the shares of Regent Hotels and the lifestyle brand Kimpton in 2014, the British hotelier announced the acquisition of Six SensesSix Senses is one of the leading brands in chic wellness resorts. Sold by Pegasus Capital Advisor for 300 million US dollars, Six Senses now has 16 establishments, all located in the following regions enchanting places as Bali, Omanthe Costa Rica, the Seychelles or the Maldives. Six Senses has also established itself in Europe with a historic quinta in the Douro Valley in Portugal and a resort in Courchevel, made up entirely of residences. Naturally not very present in business towns, the brand has nevertheless recently appeared on the scene. in the heart of Singapore with two boutique hotels housed in historic buildings in Chinatown; one redesigned by Anoushka Hempel - the Six Senses Duxton - and the other designed by Jacques Garcia, the Six Senses Maxwell.
Another major business metropolis, probably the most prestigious of them all, is on the agenda for the next 12 months: New York. Located on 10th Avenue in West Chelsea, the hotel will be housed in a twisted tower designed by architects Bjarke Infles. The brand, renowned for its spas both inside and outside its establishments, will deliver its own translation of the urban resort concept in New York, with the future establishment located along the High LineA long green promenade that winds its way through lower Manhattan. "Six Senses New York will have the same DNA, with a few adaptations of course, but without compromising our commitment to community, well-being, sustainability and design."explained Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses, when the project was announced in 2016. However, Six Senses is not forgetting what it is best known for: exclusive and exclusive locations. tropical hideaways. In 2019, the brand will invest in a private island in Cambodia, five pavilions in the BhutanA fourteenth-century fort in Rajasthan, historic houses in Istanbul and a designer retreat in Israel's Negev desert.
"It is the start of a new era very exciting for Six Sensessaid Neil Jacobs. IHG trusts us and believes in our ability to merge our wellness and sustainability programmes to promote personal development and that of our planet."Keith Barr, Chief Executive of IHG, said: "We are incredibly proud to welcome Six Senses to our family of brands and look forward to opening more beautiful hotels, resorts and spas."
As a result of this acquisition, the number of Six Senses hotels and spas is set to increase significantly over the next decade, with the number of 60 establishments had been set as a target. Even before its takeover, Six Senses had several projects underway in Crans-Montana, Kitzbuehel and Ibiza in Europe, Baia Formosa in Brazil, near Guilin in China and the Jhih-ben hot springs in Taiwan. At the same time, Evason, a contemporary and more affordable version of Six Senses, will appear south of Pattaya in Thailand.
Six Senses therefore adds a "resort" touch to the collection of luxury brands developed by IHG - InterContinental, Kimpton and Regent - which are essentially urban. By diversifying its offer through multiple acquisitions, IHG is part of a movement also followed by Hyatt - which strengthened its lifestyle offering with the acquisition last year of Two Roads Hospitality, parent company of the Joie de Vivre, Thompson and Alila brands - and AccorHotels, which recently announced the opening of the first Orient Express after acquiring a stake in Banyan Tree, Rixos and SBE Entertainment. Not to mention the major acquisition of Fairmont Rafflescompleted in 2016.
