The Mandarin Oriental, Sanya, an exclusive 297-room resort on Hainan, China’s second largest island, is gearing up for its opening in the first quarter of 2008.

The luxury resort is located on a 12 hectare beachfront site on Coral Bay, all guest rooms, suites and villas, as well as the public areas, will have expansive views over the South China Sea. The resort is approximately five minutes drive from Sanya City, and 20 kilometres from the city’s international airport.

With a generous room size of 55 square metres, most guest rooms will have direct access to the secluded beach, and will feature private gardens with timber decks and trellises. Fifteen 200 square metres private villas and 19 oversized suites will be a prime feature of the resort, each with its own personal infinity edge pool, garden and relaxation pavilion, offering added seclusion. In addition, suite guests will have access to an exclusive lounge with private butler service. The design of Mandarin Oriental, Sanya is based on an interpretation of contemporary northern Chinese architecture, with interiors that will incorporate delicate Asian touches and indigenous Hainanese fabrics together with a relaxed resort experience.

A variety of chic, innovative and fresh dining options is available in the resort’s 11 restaurants and bars including a Chinese restaurant, Seafood Grill, Sunset and Jazz Bar and an upscale Cigar Divan. Many restaurants will offer outdoor venues.

The Mandarin Oriental, Sanya features extensive banquet and conference facilities. The 525-square metre grand ballroom, perched at the highest point of the resort offers great views of the bay below, and comes complete with the most advanced audio-visual technology. The ballroom accommodates up to 340 guests, and is an ideal wedding venue. In addition, five well-equipped conference rooms, each with state-of-the-art AV systems and extensive pre-function courtyards, are available for smaller groups.

The all-encompassing 3,200 square metre Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Sanya will feature a comprehensive menu of rejuvenating experiences to soothe, restore and revitalize both body and soul. The elevated, ‘floating’ reception area provides a unique arrival experience from where guests journey to the 18 luxuriously appointed treatment suites. Eight couples and two VIP villas offer the very best in heat and water experiences, with outdoor gardens for open-air treatments, private yoga classes or relaxation.

Other facilities include a fitness centre, guided yoga classes, a beauty salon and Spa Boutique with an exclusive range of signature Mandarin Oriental spa products.

Mandarin Oriental, Sanya features four landscaped swimming pools, each with dedicated butler service and direct access to the beach. Other leisure activities include organised water sports such as snorkelling, scuba diving, windsurfing and jet skiing from floating pontoons, tennis courts, an on-site rock climbing wall, a golf simulator and member privileges at nearby golf clubs. In addition, an upscale retail facility will feature a range of luxurious international brands, a fully equipped business centre, library, reading room, games room and dedicated MOMO children’s centre.

The luxury resort is designed by Singapore-based architects, Chan Sau Yan Associates (CSYA), while LTW DesignWorks is responsible for the resort’s interior design. Bensley Design Studios, based in Bangkok, is landscape architect and resort planner.

Hainan Island is located at approximately the same latitude as Hawaii and is separated from the mainland by the Hainan Strait. It is China’s largest Special Economic Zone and is easily accessible, being just one hour southwest of Hong Kong by air. Hainan offers year-round sunshine, cultural activities, excellent golf and watersports.
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