Six Senses opens two new resorts to bring sustainable luxury to Singapore

As our desire for eco-friendly travel grows, more hotels are jumping to incorporate this into their newest launches and future business strategies. At the forefront of this global push towards sustainable tourism is luxury Bangkok-based hotel group Six Senses, which is opening two brand new urban resorts in Singapore as part of a remarkable conservation project.

Expanding its existing portfolio of environmentally responsible hotels in exotic locations including Fiji, Seychelles and Maldives, the group is now venturing to the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown for the first time, with the opening of Six Senses Duxton in April and Six Senses Maxwell in September. Both of which are a part of a sustainable restoration of two existing heritage buildings – Six Senses Maxwell was originally a nutmeg plantation before the construction of the colonial buildings that now line the popular quarter.

Related: We've found 5 of the most exciting new eco-resorts for an organic getaway

“Such unique properties do not come to market often and we are delighted to be working with Satinder Garcha and Harpreet Bedi of Garcha Hotels on this project,” said Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses. “The buildings will be the last heritage hotels of this quality to be developed in Singapore. Each building has its own distinct personality, but what makes Six Senses Singapore so special is that guests can enjoy all the offerings of both locations plus the neighbourhood when staying with us. It’s all about community and being part of the rich, local culture of Singapore.”

To bring the project to life, Six Senses enlisted the expertise of two of the world’s most acclaimed hotel designers, Anouska Hempel for Duxton and Jacques Garcia for Maxwell. Garcia is renowned for his work on The Peninsula Paris and Hôtel Costes, and will base his design on a striking black, gold and yellow colour palette with eccentric accents. Hempel, who was behind Blakes London, Blakes Amsterdam and London's The Hempel Hotel, has fitted the Duxton hotel with oriental screens, calligraphy wallpaper from her personal collection and a traditional Chinese Doctor.

Both hotels will also launch a new sustainability programme that will make them entirely carbon-free after purchasing United Nations-certified carbon credits, while standing to save up to 20% in energy costs – a move that sees Six Senses realise its ongoing commitment to responsible preservation, having received the Urban Redevelopment Authority Architectural Heritage Award for the project.