Six Senses Sets a Desert Course for Southern Utah

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of Six Senses Camp Korongo, a resort and residential community slated to open in 2029 near Kanab in southern Utah. This expansive 480-acre development will feature 41 tented pavilions and 12 branded residences, marking IHG’s inaugural collaboration with California-based owner and developer Canyon Global Partners.

Jena Tesse Fox of Hotel Management reports that the resort’s architectural vision, guided by South Africa–based Luxury Frontiers, will weave together 'contrasting textures and color palettes' drawing inspiration from both the desert and the surrounding juniper forest. Ms. Fox notes the property will place significant emphasis on outdoor pursuits such as hiking, exploration, and stargazing within the proximity of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Arches National Parks. According to IHG Hotels & Resorts' Americas CEO, Jolyon Bulley, as quoted by Jena Tesse Fox, 'Six Senses Camp Korongo will blend the brand’s distinctive values and touchpoints in a unique location while also underscoring our growth plan for the brand in the Americas.'

Homi Vazifdar, founder of Canyon Global Partners, relayed to Hotel Management that 'Southern Utah’s combination of spectacular topography, recreational opportunity and tranquility are a perfect match for Six Senses, whose distinct take on hospitality is rooted in wellness and sustainability'. Neil Palmer, COO for Six Senses, added that owners and guests will 'share a rhythm shaped by nature that restores as much as it delights, honoring southern Utah’s unique setting while delivering the thoughtful, regenerative hospitality expected from Six Senses'.

What this signals: The selection of southern Utah for a Six Senses outpost underscores a persistent trend within the ultra-luxury segment: the search for sublime, often remote, natural landscapes. Our recent dispatches have observed similar movements, as discerning travelers increasingly gravitate towards properties that offer a profound connection to their environment, prioritizing authentic and mindful experiences over traditional opulence. The alignment with Canyon Global Partners, known for their ultra-luxury resort developments, suggests a meticulous approach to integrating the built environment with the dramatic terrain.

The American expansion of Six Senses continues apace, with Jena Tesse Fox outlining forthcoming properties in Mexico (Six Senses Xala), Belize (Six Senses Belize), Pennsylvania (Six Senses RiverStone Estate), and Colorado (Six Senses Telluride). Ms. Fox further indicates that luxury and lifestyle-branded hotels now constitute 22 percent of IHG’s global pipeline, with nearly 300 properties open or under development in the Americas alone as of the third quarter of 2025. This includes anticipated 2026 openings for InterContinental in Grenada and Palm Springs, Kimpton hotels across various locations including New York City and Mexico City, and Vignette Collection properties in Miami and Santo Domingo.