CAROLINE TEN HAVE RESORT MANAGER SIX SENSES ULUWATU

How do you feel to be the Resort Manager of the only Six Senses in Indonesia
Being part of the Six Senses family is an amazing journey so far! Being part of Six Senses felt like coming home; fun & quirky are one of our core values, with which I fully identify, and I believe is one of the service aspects our guests are excited about when visiting a Six Senses property. Besides the amazing journey, I am proud to be part of the only Six Senses property in Indonesia, as Six Senses is the pioneer in the field of sustainability, and having been living in Bali for over 10 years, I have seen how important sustainable hospitality is for the future of tourism in Bali. Sustainability is not something that we do; it is who we are.

Tell us what makes your resort different from the other luxury hotels in Bali
For this question, I think it is perfect to quote Neil Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Six Senses: “Of course, hospitality is never just about a place to stay. We want our places and spaces to help you reconnect and explore what it means to be mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally happy.” I trust that this alone explains why a Six Senses experience is different than other luxury hotels in Bali, we are aiming to craft meaningful experiences, whilst pioneering wellness and being responsible for the environment and sustainable operations. 

Has your guest profile changed post pandemic?
There has been no significant shift in our diverse guest profile for post-pandemic. We continue to attract visitors mostly from Korea, China, Australia, and the United Kingdom, particularly during sought-after honeymoon and leisure seasons. By delivering consistent and outstanding experiences, we have not only retained existing markets but also attracted new interest from international markets. Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to maintaining the standards that have contributed to our success, anticipating continued growth in our diverse guest base.

You have worked in the industry for a long time, what is your biggest achievement that you have accomplished?
I have been fortunate to be a part of multiple dynamic teams in the Balinese hospitality industry that have collectively achieved several milestones. One of the accomplishments that I am particularly proud of is our commitment to fostering sustainability practices within our hotel. Together with the team, we implemented various initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint, such as introducing recycling programs, minimizing waste, and supporting local communities.
Moreover, our dedication to education and growth has been a significant focus. We have consistently emphasized continuous learning and skill development among our team members. Creating a culture that encourages personal and professional growth has resulted in a more knowledgeable and motivated workforce, which I believe is pivotal in delivering exceptional hospitality experiences.
While I am proud of these collective achievements, I am especially gratified by our team’s enthusiasm and commitment to making a positive impact on both the industry and the community we serve. It has been incredibly fulfilling to contribute to such meaningful initiatives alongside passionate hospitality enthusiasts here in Bali.

What do you think is the secret to your great career in the hospitality industry?
Secrets are meant to stay secrets, right? 😉
Well, if you really want to know, this is my secret recipe to my fun journey: a mix of a passion for making people smile, a big pinch of creativity in solving opportunities, a scoop of teamwork, and of course a generous sprinkle of always putting the guest experience first. Oh, and don’t forget to serve this with a dash of laughter and positive vibes!
This recipe will be guaranteed to get you in the right direction of starting a great career in this exciting industry. 

What inspired you to work in hospitality and become a resort manager?
To be very precise: a holiday somewhere in 2001 when I was around 13 years old, traveling to Thailand, Koh Samui with my parents, staying in the (now) Centara Villas Samui. I still have this vivid memory of walking out to the pool and beach from the lobby, and this view I remember until today, and I remember thinking: wow, this is what I want, this is where I want to work! Shortly after I started working in a Chinese Restaurant as a waitress in my hometown, and from that moment I was sold on hospitality. Fast-forward to 2011, 10 years after my first encounter with this magical hospitality in Thailand, I was stepping foot on Bali which marked the start of my career and journey abroad!

Share with us the latest update about Six Senses Uluwatu
In November, we proudly unveiled the Rocka Restaurant & Bar at Six Senses Uluwatu, introducing a fresh design and concept. With a diverse Nusantara-inspired lunch menu and an exploration of Bali and Southeast-Asian spices during dinner, all the dishes are enriched by our on-site organic garden, which contributes a portion of the ingredients and fosters a connection to local resources.
Excitingly, we are in the process of preparing for the launch of Rocka Edge at the beginning of next year – a culinary masterpiece that seamlessly blends Japanese essences for a truly unique dining experience. By focusing not only on celebrating the art of culinary exploration but also on elevating the overall dining experience, we aim to create a memorable journey for our guests, whilst implementing our Eat With Six Senses program values. 

What does sustainability mean to Six Senses and do you have any new sustainability program that will be implemented at your resort?
As mentioned previously, we do take pride and commitment to sustainability, as this is one of our core values at Six Senses, and I believe we are a pioneer when it comes to sustainable hospitality.
In 2024, we will continue our ongoing sustainable initiatives and collaborate with more communities to extend positive impacts to local areas. We plan to allocate our sustainability fund, equivalent to 0.5% of our revenue, to be invested through the Sustainability Fund Project. This project includes support for the local elementary school in Pecatu, the ROLE Foundation, Scholar of Sustenance (SOS), and some other initiatives to foster the community in which we operate, as this is of utmost importance to our existence.

How do you maintain a work and life balance?
Personally, I do not believe in this phrase, work-life balance, as your work is part of your life, you have only one life to live. If you can blend work with your personal interests, relationships, and well-being, you have the key to success. I believe in being present and fully engaged in whatever I am doing at the moment. I dive into what I love, whether it is work gigs, meetings with friends, hobbies, or self-care. Trying to balance these? I just go with the flow and see what life throws at me, giving it my all and having fun! But to be specific, the tennis court is where you will find me to fully wind down and get energized!