Lest you call it “just another luxury hotel,” the new Sanya EDITION has one amenity you may not expect: its own man-made, five-acre private ocean. Headed by American hotelier Ian Schrager, the Marriott-branded property opened this past December in what China considers its answer to Hawaii, the city of Sanya on Hainan Island.
Because it is illegal to swim in the South China Sea, the property pumps 10 million gallons of water from the surrounding ocean into its 21,527-square-foot, salt-water pool every 32 hours. On the north shore, it boasts a white sand beach and guests can swim, paddle board, sail or kayak in the ocean throughout the day. Around the pool are meditation grounds, coconut palms and other indigenous trees, most of which were sourced directly from the island.
Aside from its private sea, the resort also boasts some other pretty cool features. The hotel includes 466 residential-style guestrooms, 46 suites, and 17 hillside villas, the latter of which come with one or three bedrooms, private pools and a pavilion space. All rooms come with Edition standards such as standalone bathtubs, stone or off-white walls, lots of natural light and Le Labo bath products. Unfortunately, since many websites are blocked in China (Facebook, Twitter, Gmail), you can also think of a stay here as a way to really unplug.
Created with traditional Asian designs and futuristic architecture, the hotel features 11 specialized zones that overlap with each other while preserving their distinctive personalities. The areas—water, fun, sports, kids, adult, family, eating, nightlife, entertainment, sensory and relaxation—are scattered throughout the property to match every guest’s vacation needs. Parents can keep kids entertained with an entire space dedicated to children. Dubbed “Playland,” the site features bumper cars, mini golf, karaoke, two music production rooms, a climbing wall, and an electric race car room.
Showcasing revolving exhibitions from local artists, the resort’s three onsite art galleries gives guests a deeper look into the area’s rich culture. A fairground, miniature village and 215,000-square-foot spa are also scatted around the resort along with a number of age-specific pools. In some areas, cabanas sit on the hotel’s ocean and include upholstered lounge seating, flat-screen TVs, speakers, and mini-bars. On the rooftop, guests will find the 78-foot infinity pool and the Sky Bar which overlook the South China Sea.
Among its food and beverage options, travelers can enjoy local cuisines and cocktails within four different venues. Edition’s signature restaurant is illuminated with glowing lanterns resting on the water and can only be reached via gondola. At the all-day market, guests can participate in a social dining experience located inside a space reminiscent of an old Chinese warehouse. Promoting barefoot luxury, the hotel’s beachside barbecues is an all-ages affair serving grilled seafood outdoors. All eateries feature EDITION Ping, a lager made specifically for the property with packaging by Director Wes Anderson’s brother, Eric Chase Anderson.
Rooms begin at around USD $231 a night on weekdays with villas starting at $596 a night.
