Samantha van Exter has been appointed as General Manager at Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea

Bringing more than 25 years of luxury hospitality experience across Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East, spanning resort operations, revenue management, hotel openings, wellness-led hotels and multi-property leadership.

In her new role, Samantha van Exter will oversee all aspects of the resort's operations, commercial performance and guest experience. Set in the desert of The Red Sea destination, the resort's 40 pool villas and 36 rooms are powered entirely by solar energy. Samantha will lead the team in bringing Six Senses' signature approach to wellness, sustainability and meaningful connection to guests from around the world.

Samantha van Exter's latest experience in the region was in 2023 as Area Director – Middle East for ME by Meliá, where she led ME Dubai in the Zaha Hadid-designed Opus building.

She joins Six Senses after 11 years in London. Most recently, as Head of Hotels at Montcalm Collection, she led a portfolio of independent luxury hotels, including the B Corp-certified Inhabit wellness hotels. Her contribution to the industry has been widely recognised. She was named Hotelier of the Year 2025 at Hotel Designs' Brit List Awards and was a finalist for Hotelier of the Year 2026 at The Hotel Magazine Awards.

Her career also includes senior roles at Shangri-La The Shard, London, and ME London, as well as general manager positions with Steigenberger and Accor in the Netherlands. She began her career at The Palace of the Lost City at South Africa's Sun City Resort, under Sol Kerzner and Jerry Inzerillo.

Known for a leadership style she describes as “connecting with place and people first, inclusive, strategic and focused on continuous improvement,” Samantha van Exter places people at the heart of the guest experience. She believes that “making work fun enables us to carry that positivity over to our guests' experience.”