Sitting pretty on the shores of Haitang Bay in eastern Sanya, Rosewood Sanya makes an unforgettable first impression. A porter will whisk you into gorgeous entryway with its 26-foot-tall ceilings, then up to the 14th floor to check in at the Sky Lobby, a striking space boasting art-filled interiors and unobstructed views of the South China Sea.
The 246 guest rooms and suites echo the lobby’s intimate residential aesthetic with natural materials, such as wood furniture and stone accents. And as soon as you step outside, there’s something to discover around every corner of the 40-acre property, including the top-floor Hai bar, garden-hugged Sense Spa, poolside Chop House restaurant and seafront walking trails.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Unlike many over-the-top resorts in China, Rosewood
Sanya has mastered the art of understated luxury. Hong Kong-based design studio
AB Concept eschewed traditional opulence, aiming instead for a relaxed,
approachable vibe that reflects the area’s natural beauty.
- Designed to feel like a nautical-chic residence, the
lobby’s tea lounge and bar bring together contemporary art, bookshelves,
eclectic furniture, exposed light bulbs and soothing neutral shades —it’s a place to unwind throughout your stay.
- Under a canopy of trees, the lush hotel grounds
stretch toward the ocean with leafy walkways, expansive lawns, romantic
alfresco restaurants and a terraced outdoor pool with little nooks for privacy.
- Sundowners at 13th-floor Hai bar are a must. Not only
are the cocktails amazing, but the 360-foot infinity pool promises the best
views in Sanya.
- Don’t miss a chance to dine on one of the private pool-top platforms at
Chop House, where you’ll dig into a delicious spread of grilled Italian fare,
house-cured charcuterie and housemade bread.
Things to Know
- The Sanya hotel is on the shores of Haitang Bay, about
a 50-minute drive from the international airport. You can hire a taxi upon
arrival or book a private transfer through Rosewood for added convenience.
- Thanks to Sanya’s tropical climate — it shares the
same latitude as Hawaii — you can expect sunny skies almost year-round.
- From about December to March, the waves tend to be
rougher, so we’d recommend visiting during the spring and summer months for the
best swimming conditions.
- For those who love surfing, Haitang Bay is one of the
top spots in China to catch a wave. Ask the hotel’s concierge ahead of arrival
to book a surf camp on the coast.
- Around the hotel, there’s a wooden walkway that traces
the shoreline. This is a great 30-minute circuit to walk in the early morning
before it gets too hot.
The Rooms
- Beautifully designed by Hong Kong’s AB Concept, the luxury
hotel rooms at this seaside address are spacious and soothing, clocking in at a
minimum732 square feet.
- The Riyue Residence, the hotel’s equivalent of a
Presidential Suite, stretches across 7,319 square feet with its own private
plunge pool, 4,200-square-foot terrace and a whole slew of extras, including
complimentary cocktail hour and butler service.
- The interior design pays homage to the property’s tropical
surroundings, with lots of natural accents, like oak furniture, sandy tones and
locally made patterned carpets.
- Every room includes an enormous bathroom, complete
with his-and-hers vanities, walk-in rain showers and luxurious amenities from
Lorenzo Villoresi.
- Splurge for a pool suite to enjoy a private plunge as
well as panoramic ocean views.
The Restaurants
- The rooftop Hai
lounge is among
the Hainan Island hotel’s many draws —it’s home to the largest infinity pool in Sanya, a
sunken cocktail bar, intimate pavilions and a resident DJ. The menu is all about
Asian bites, while the drink list covers everything from refreshing rosé to
creative tipples.
- Head to the 13th floor to enjoy causal Southeast Asian
favorites for lunch and dinner at East Kitchen. Classics like Thai curry,
Singaporean laksa and Vietnamese pho grace the all-day dining menu, while a
quality breakfast buffet can also be enjoyed here each morning.
- For a romantic rendezvous, we’d highly recommend Chop
House.The menu at this alfresco
restaurant traverses Europe, with everything from charcuterie to dry-aged beef,
smoked short ribs, Mediterranean salads and an epic weekend brunch.
- On the ground floor overlooking a tranquil pond, casual
Fishmonger promises Chinese staples and ultra-fresh seafood. The restaurant
channels local market-style dining, encouraging you to select your lunch from the
surrounding fish tanks.
Amenities
Bar
Gym
Outdoor pool
Restaurants
Spa
Getting There
Stories
