Samantha van Exter to lead Six Senses Southern Dunes
The former Montcalm Collection Head of Hotels takes charge of the Saudi desert resort, bringing more than 25 years of international hospitality experience.
Sasha Brown
7 min read
Samantha van Exter has been appointed General Manager of Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. She joins the desert resort following senior positions across Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East, with more than 25 years in hospitality.
Samantha van Exter’s new role
The appointment puts van Exter in charge of a property whose offer combines wellness, environmental practices and experiences rooted in its Saudi setting. The resort’s announcement identifies people development, guest experience and a connection with local culture as central themes of her leadership.
No precise effective date was specified in the announcement. The move has also been reported by Hospitality Net, which describes her remit as covering operations, commercial performance and guest experience.
Career across luxury hotels
Van Exter most recently worked with Montcalm Collection. Her earlier career includes leadership roles with Accor, Steigenberger, Shangri-La at The Shard and Meliá Hotels International, following her beginnings at Sun City Resort in Southern Africa.
She moves to Saudi Arabia after a period based in London. Her industry recognition includes Hotelier of the Year at Hotel Designs’ Brit List Awards in 2025.
About Six Senses Southern Dunes
Southern Dunes was the first resort to open at The Red Sea destination in 2023. Its accommodation comprises 36 rooms and suites around the main Oasis complex and 40 pool villas positioned across the desert landscape.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the property draws on Nabataean heritage. Red Sea Global describes a construction approach using lightweight materials suited to the desert, avoiding materials that absorb and retain heat. The central Oasis canopy takes its inspiration from a desert flower and provides a shaded gathering space.
The villas range from one to four bedrooms. Their interiors use colours and textures associated with the surrounding dunes, with furnishings influenced by traditional Bedouin dress. The resort also includes restaurants, an outdoor pool, a fitness centre and a Six Senses Spa.
A leadership brief shaped by place
For van Exter, the role brings together a substantial accommodation operation and a guest proposition built around the destination itself. The resort’s stated priorities place local culture, wellbeing and team development alongside day-to-day hotel leadership.
The appointment adds to recent leadership activity covered by WINC Wire, including Dani Saleh’s Saudi Arabia role at Millennium Hotels and Resorts. The market’s development pipeline also includes Oberoi Sukoonvilas at Wadi Safar.
Sources
Six Senses Southern Dunes appointment announcement; Hospitality Net appointment report; Six Senses accommodation information; Red Sea Global resort background.
