BACKGROUND
The Sanya Edition opened in December last year, the fourth of Marriott’s new Edition brand, and the first in Asia (the others are in London, Miami Beach and New York). It’s one of Sanya’s largest properties, offering 512 rooms including 46 suites and an additional 17 hotel villas.
WHERE IS IT?
East of Sanya in southern Hainan Island, it’s located in Haitang Bay, to the north of the more famous – and crowded – Yalong Bay. Sanya Phoenix International Airport is an hour’s drive – book a limo pick-up through the hotel as Haitang Bay is not well connected by public transport.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The Edition defines itself as a lifestyle luxury brand. To me, it had an almost Japanese design aesthetic, with a gigantic entrance area open to the sea breezes, high ceilings, wooden pavilions on both sides and a long stone bench. Tall stands of bamboo are lined up beside water features, and the resort has two building wings on each side of the lobby in a horseshoe shape. On arrival a member of staff escorted me straight to my premium Loft Room to check in there.
ROOM FACILITIES
My room was located on level 6 facing the ocean. Furnished in beige and white, the warm, large space was heavy on curves and ovals, with an open bathroom the standout feature. Right in the middle was a large, round, two-person bathtub, separated from the bed area not by a wall but by an arcing net curtain from ceiling to floor. Separate toilet and shower rooms are on the far side of the bathroom area, and Le Labo premium bath amenities are provided.
No connecting wall gave the whole room an even more spacious feel, and lying in the oversize, soft bed was an interesting feeling, as you can close the curtain completely to surround the whole bed, creating a “Thousand and One Nights” fairy-tale feel. I admit I slept really well.
International sockets are plentiful, located on both sides of the bed and at the long wooden worktable. A highlight is the amazing balcony, with a capacious couch, fantastic views of the ocean and hotel gardens, and another huge tub big enough for four people – very relaxing, though it takes 30 minutes to fill so a little planning is required.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
There are four restaurants and two bars. The huge all-day dining restaurant Market is located on the ground floor, consisting of both indoor and outdoor areas displaying over 400 plants and seashells, plus 710 handmade white ceramic decorations. I also ate at Beach Barbacoa, an alfresco beachside restaurant serving Balinese cuisine. Naturally the fish and other seafood was super-fresh, and the matching sauces were excellent.
The hotel has a rooftop Sky Bar located on the 12th floor, with an infinity pool right next to the bar where guests can soak while enjoying their cocktails.
MEETING FACILITIES
The hotel has 2,100 sqm of event space, a 700 sqm pre-function area and an executive boardroom, located on the ground floor in a podium building behind the Market. The 1,300 sqm Forum grand ballroom can hold 900 guests, and there’s also a 456 sqm Junior ballroom. Two private event lawns offer 400 sqm of space in front of the hotel’s “private ocean”, and there’s also a 1,700 sqm area adjacent to the Chairman’s Villa.
LEISURE FACILITIES
The highlight is the hotel’s unique 20,000 sqm “private ocean”. Ten million gallons of seawater are filtered and pumped in each day, the pool is home to fishes and turtles, and guests can kayak or paddleboard around it, or swim in a separate area. Also part of the property are an art gallery, library, shop and kid’s entertainment zone.
VERDICT
A beautifully designed resort hotel that is unlike anything else in the Sanya area. The rooms are simple but very stylish, with the balcony tub a highlight, while the F&B outlets are suitably exotic. Not a standard business-oriented property by any means, but perfect for companies wishing to hold incentives or meetings, and a great family destination if you want to add on some leisure time post-business.
PRICE Internet rates for a Loft Ocean-Front King room in mid-September start from RMB1,492 (US$217) including tax and surcharges
CONTACT 100 North Haitang Road, Sanya, China 572013; tel +86 898 8835 9999
