Six Senses Faces Local Opposition in Hudson Valley

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has spent three and a half years seeking approval for a 236-acre Six Senses project in Clinton, New York. The development is not, according to its developers, a hotel. Instead, IHG's lawyers insist it's a "conference center," also described at various hearings as an "agrarian retreat," a "wellness hub," and even a "camp."

According to airmail.news, Warren Replansky, an attorney representing local opposition, argues that "if it walks like a hotel and quacks like a hotel, it's a hotel." This week, the project, initially proposed in spring 2023, continues to draw contention.

IHG purchased the 236-acre Old Stone Farm, previously a biodynamic farm and yoga retreat, in November 2022 for $13.7 million. The proposed expansion would transform 15 existing guest rooms into 65, adding multiple pools, restaurants, and an extensive spa.

Our take: Six Senses has cultivated a brand synonymous with luxury wellness. The developer's semantic gymnastics around the project's true nature suggest a strategy to bypass zoning or public sentiment. Such tactics often backfire, as community resistance can derail even the most well-funded projects. Transparency regarding the scope and impact of such a significant development is paramount for public trust and long-term success.