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3 New Luxury Hotels to Look for in Sanya

A growing destination for international travelers to China, the Middle Kingdom's favorite beach island of Sanya is getting an upgrade with three new luxury hotels.

It may not be up there with Phuket or Bali – or even Jeju – but Sanya is a growing beach destination for travelers from around the world. China travelers wanting to end their journey on a beach with a cocktail will soon find themselves in one of three new luxury brand resorts opening on Hainan Island. While the One & Only project was scrapped earlier this year, it’s the second salvo for the brand Capella, a first for Edition, and Atlantis Sanya will be something new altogether.

The Edition Sanya

ABOVE: One Bedroom Villa from The Edition in Sanya.

Opening last year and part of an initial foray into the Chinese market by hotelier Ian Schrager, The Edition Sanya acquired its own private stretch of ocean in Sanya and amassed 512 guestrooms, 42 suites, and 17 villas for its opening charge. Cleanly designed rooms are fitted with limestone floors, oak finishes, Frette linens, and white divider curtains. All have ocean views.

ABOVE: Sky Bar Pool at Edition’s Sanya location.

There is also a wide variety of cuisine options including pizza, open wok cooking, French pastries, dim sum, Indonesian curries, and more. In keeping with beach resort norms, there is a rooftop bar, four freshwater pools, and an expansive spa, but there are also some unique, playful additions like fairground-style bumper cars and a rock climbing wall.

Capella Sanya

ABOVE: Rendering of Capella in Sanya.

After receiving critical acclaim for its first Chinese resort in Shanghai, Capella Hotels & Resorts has assembled celebrated designers Jean-Michel Gathy and Bill Bensley to form a high-octane team of creative talent for its second Chinese installment in tropical, southern Sanya. Aesthetics are at the same time contemporary and inspired by Sanya’s historic status as a seaport along the Silk Road.

All of the 190 guestrooms, suites, and villas are to be “well-appointed” and facing the sea. There are also six separate dining concepts planned that range from traditional Chinese cuisine to a rare wine and cigar lounge.

A wellness sanctuary with unique and innovative treatments like Moroccan Hammam and Snow Cabin, an in-house library, and clubs for kids and teens will all be on-site.

Capella’s Shanghai opening was one of the most anticipated luxury hotel openings in Shanghai in recent years, after the Amanyangyun.

Atlantis Sanya

ABOVE: Neptune Underwater Suite.

Far from the normal luxury brands, Atlantis owner Fosun is relatively untested in the luxury hospitality world. Launched earlier this year, the Atlantis Sanya makes the list of luxe new hotels in part for its massive investment and innovative underwater rooms.

Holiday goers and diners can’t expect the same quality at somewhere like Atlantis Sanya, but the Neptune Underwater Suite and Poseidon Underwater Suite will likely draw many new travelers. Floor to ceiling windows look through to The Ambassador Lagoon at the Neptune Underwater Suite. The larger Poseidon rooms have a 33 square meter balcony and spans two floors.