He gives the example of Six Senses Ibiza, where 48 vegetable seeds and 10 flower and herb seeds were collected in 2023. “By 2024, around 70% of the property’s farm products came from the seed bank, a true closed-loop system where seeds are carefully chosen, reproduced, and nurtured. The best plants were selected for adaptability, yield, and resistance to disease, with sprouting success rates of around 80%. All whilst ensuring our heirloom seeds are GMO-free and producing natural, traditional, and healthy food.” The other hotels involved in the pilot, which concludes in the first quarter of 2026, are Six Senses Con Dao, Six Senses Douro Valley, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Six Senses Rome,
Six Senses Southern Dunes, and Six Senses Zighy Bay.
The pilot is also designed to help gauge interest levels for potential guest programming across the group. However, he also adds that there is an important balance to find between curiosity and experiences as well as responsibility. “Guests can participate in onsite activities, but keeping seeds in their natural habitat prevents the spread of invasive species or disease. For this reason, international guests are not given seeds to take home.” He cites organic gardening workshops, ecological restoration projects, or creative activities inspired by seeds, such as making seed bombs or kokedamas, as activities that guests can participate in. “Through these experiences, we aim to spark curiosity, deepen connections with nature, and engage guests in actions that help protect biodiversity in a rapidly changing climate. In parallel, we aim to play an active role distributing seeds and facilitating seed swaps for our neighborhoods, gardeners, schools, and of course farmers.”
