Over the past decade or so, Sanya has become China’s equivalent of the south of France. Located on the southern tip of Hainan – an island hitherto better known for lending its name to the beloved chicken rice and for its corps of first-rate service staff – the city takes full advantage of its lovely coastline, agreeable weather, and sparkling views of the South China Sea.
And now, just to prove the point that you can never have enough five-star hotels, the Park Hyatt has pitched up on Sunny Bay’s tree-clad valley and nature preserve on the edge of Yalong Bay with an impressive 207-room, 70,000sqm property that ticks all the boxes, including access to the private Baifu Bay. Interior design legend Jean-Michel Gathy has been given what looks like a blank cheque to furnish the resort’s six interlocking blocks in gold phoebe, cowhide leather and over $3m worth of original artwork.
The surrounding bays offer one of the best diving spots on the planet, but if that’s too National Geographic for you, there are five swimming pools – including a 115m monster – to pick from.
