BACKGROUND
The Hong Kong-based Langham Hospitality Group opened its eighth Chinese hotel in May last year on Hainan Island. The Haikou property is the group’s 20th worldwide, offering 249 guestrooms and suites.
WHERE IS IT?
The luxury business hotel is located in the Guomao district, in the heart of the city centre, and backs on to leafy Evergreen Park. It’s a 20-minute drive from Haikou East Station (where you can catch the high-speed train) and around 40 minutes from Haikou Meilan International Airport.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The hotel occupies 14 floors of a mixed-use development – one of the tallest buildings in the district. On the ground floor is Palm Court, offering a calm, elegant sanctuary away from the busy streets, with high ceilings and a sophisticated setting to enjoy afternoon tea.
Helpful staff whisked away my luggage and directed me to the lifts to reach the hotel lobby on the top floor (level 43) for a smooth check-in. Thanks to its lofty position, the lobby was flooded with light, with white marble walls emphasising the brightness.
ROOM FACILITIES
I stayed in a generously sized 50 sqm Executive room on level 40. It had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Evergreen Park and the South China Sea beyond. In addition to the natural light, the room had a pale colour tone with lots of mirrors, which made it feel extra spacious and bright.
A fabulous chandelier with numerous crystal pendants added a luxurious element to the room, though when the air conditioning was on high speed the chandelier acted a bit like a wind chime.
The minibar, fridge and kettle were discreetly hidden in a standalone wooden cabinet.
I was impressed to find all sockets were international standard, although some were rather stiff, possibly because the hotel is still new and the plugs have not been used frequently.
The bed was big and soft, and I slept well throughout my stay. The bathroom was spacious and came with Chuan Spa bath kits.
CLUB LOUNGE
The Langham Club is located on level 42, with floor-to-ceiling windows again taking advantage of the park and ocean views. The area is split into a living room and dining area. There were only about ten other guests when I visited for the evening cocktail session (5.30pm-8pm), so it was quite comfortable and not too crowded. A range of food was on offer, from cheese and salad to hot dishes such as dim sum and delicious wasabi fried shrimps. However, it was strange that the lounge did not have any white wine available. I tried the red instead, which wasn’t bad.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
The hotel has five restaurants and bars, offering a mixture of Asian and Western cuisines. The highlight has to be the Cantonese fare served at T’ang Court on level 43, affiliated to its Michelin-starred counterpart in Hong Kong. The restaurant is bright with a chic design and feels very exclusive. I sampled a seven-course menu and particularly enjoyed the main course of fresh pan-fried codfish paired with tender braised beef. Thankfully, the portions weren’t too big, so I was able to finish everything. Ordering in advance is recommended so the kitchen team can prepare the freshest ingredients.
MEETING FACILITIES
The Ballroom on the fifth floor covers 562 sqm and can accommodate up to 500 guests for cocktail and business events. There are also four multipurpose rooms ranging from 35 sqm to 100 sqm for meetings and conferences.
LEISURE FACILITIES
These are all located on level 6, including the outdoor swimming pool, 24-hour gym and low-lit Chuan Spa. I tried a hot stone massage but found it was too intense. Quickly and professionally my therapist adapted the treatment by heating her hands to massage my back instead, ensuring I was comfortable.
VERDICT
Conveniently located in the CBD, The Langham, Haikou is a top-notch hotel for business travellers looking for a luxury offering in the city, with excellent F&B, leisure facilities and service.
PRICE
Internet rates for a stay in an Executive room in mid-October start from RMB1,632 (US$241) per night including tax and surcharges.
CONTACT
No. 77 Binhai Avenue, Haikou, Hainan, 570105 China; tel +86 (898) 6696977; langhamhotels.com
