WHAT IT’S LIKE? Opened in July, InterContinental Sanya Resort occupies a sprawling 130,000sqm area in Xiao Dong Hai. The property is nestled between pristine beachfront on one side and scenic mountains on the other. It has a contemporary design as well as stylish interiors. The resort also boasts extensive water features and spacious gardens.
WHERE IS IT? The resort is a 25-minute drive from the Sanya Phoenix International Airport and five minutes away from Sanya City. However, it’s quite a long drive from the popular Yalong Bay district.
ROOM FACILITIES The Premium Ocean View room where I stayed is very spacious. It is fitted with wired and wireless internet connection, BOSE sound system, iPod docking station and a 42” LCD TV. The bathroom has separate rain shower and bath. The work desk has ample power sockets. The minimalist and clean-line interior emphasises the resort’s contemporary bend.
RESTAURANTS There are eight F&B outlets. Mediterraneo serves rotisserie from live cooking stations while its wine cellar keeps the finest vintages. It also has a deli called Taste, offering an array of luscious cakes, oven-fresh breads and snack items.
Asian Village serves up the choicest of Asian delicacies. The unique over-the-water Chinese Restaurant is 100m from the shore where diners can see the coral reefs.
Located in the lobby, Hai Lounge serves international cuisine and an extensive list of cocktails plus a Martini menu. The Beach Bar is another place for cocktails, where a DJ spins upbeat top-hit tunes from sunset till the wee hours. Meanwhile, the Oxygen Bar is a sunken bar offering delightful cuisine and scintillating cocktails from mid-day
to sunset.
Club InterContinental Restaurant is exclusive to Club InterContinental guests and serves international fare and cocktails.
The Beer Factory is a Bavarian-style restaurant/pub, which occupies three storeys. It has a micro-brewery, private rooms, a VIP lounge and live entertainment.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES The business centre offers a wide range of secretarial services. A pillarless ballroom can accommodate up to 450 guests. There are seven meeting rooms, all enjoying natural light. Five of the meeting rooms have a private garden.
LEISURE FACILITIES There are five swimming pools; Spa InterContinental has eight double spa villas and a Hydro Dome with nine different hydrotherapy benefits, the first of its kind in Hainan Island. The resort also has a well-equipped fitness centre (where group classes are conducted), a game room and watersports centre.
Gigi Onag
FACT FILE
HOW MANY ROOMS 343 rooms including 24 beachside villas, a presidential suite and 12 executive suites. There are nine room categories.
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS Spacious rooms with standard rooms measuring 60sqm.
PRICE Best flexible rate in mid-April for a superior ocean room starts from CNY1,811.33 (US$275) per night inclusive of breakfast for two people.
CONTACT InterContinental Sanya Resort, No.1 Zhouji Lu, Sanya 572000, Hainan Province, China, +86 898 8861 8888, www.intercontinental.com/sanya
VERDICT: A promising new property but some staff are also obviously new to the hospitality industry and need additional training.
