Temple of Serenity: A Review of the Park Hyatt Sanya on Hainan Island, China
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One of the goals of my visit to Sanya on Hainan Island in China was to check out a small sample of the numerous high-end resorts from the major hotel chains. We settled on the Sanya Edition and the Park Hyatt, which are two of the most appealing options for visitors to the "Hawaii of China." Here's what my experience at the Park Hyatt was like.
Booking
We booked my two-night reservation at the Park Hyatt Sanya through Hotels.com, as using World of Hyatt points wasn't a good value when I stayed, the rate was cheaper than booking direct through Hyatt and I am not pursuing any status with the chain. The total price came out to $366.46 for both nights.
When booking directly through Hotels.com, you should always maximize your purchase with the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, which earns 10x miles per dollar when booked and paid via Hotels.com/Venture. Booking through through the Capital One portal also allows you to collect the generous Hotels.com Rewards, which allow you to cash in a free night after 10 nights booked with the website.
As a Category 6 on Hyatt's award chart, the hotel also offers redemption rates starting at 25,000 points per night (worth $425).
Unless the cash rates are particularly high, though, using points to book your stay will rarely present a solid redemption value, since the paid nights consistently hover around $200 per night.
Location
The Park Hyatt Sanya is situated on beautiful Yalong Bay at the southeast corner of the island. It's accessible via a winding road that hugs the rugged coastline and descends into the resort's private cove. It sits about 45 minutes from Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX). The average cab fare runs about $20.
In general, I found this location to be much more serene than Haitang Bay, where the Edition is located. This idyllic bay felt completely isolated from the rest of an otherwise bustling island.
The modern hotel was designed by Belgian architect Jean-Michel Gathy, a bold contrast against its lush, mountainous surroundings.
Check-in
The strikingly modern exterior seamlessly embraced a historical, imperial ambience that paid tribute to China's past from the moment I stepped onto the property.
The lobby had high ceilings and beautiful red and charcoal finishes throughout.
When I walked in, the lobby staff greeted me and took me over to the front desk for check-in. The process was quick and absolutely painless. Since we had booked the stay through Hotels.com, I wasn't eligible to receive any sort of points or elite-qualifying activity for my stay. While I have a World of Hyatt loyalty number, I didn't bother providing it, since I don't hold any status with the chain and wouldn't be receiving any elite benefits anyway.
After issuing my room keys, the front-desk agent handed me a map and went through each section in great detail. The hotel grounds are absolutely massive, with eight buildings covering a whopping 750,000 square feet. Most of the buildings were connected via bridges and open-air corridors, but it still seemed pretty easy to get lost.
As I made my way to my room, I couldn't help but admire the beautiful decor throughout the hotel. It felt rich in history and culture while maintaining a luxurious atmosphere that stayed true to the hotel's five-star identity.
Room
I had booked a standard king with an ocean view. The room had amazing panoramic windows that offered incredible views over Yalong Bay.
The bed had nightstands and power outlets on either side. A feature I especially liked was a pair of master control pads that allowed you to control all of the lighting fixtures from your bedside.
Back against the panoramic windows was a comfortable seating area with a coach, armchair and round table. There was also a standard desk equipped with a personal lamp and additional power outlets
The large flat-screen TV was mounted within decorative wooden paneling, fringed by gold accent lighting.
There was a small countertop at the entrance of the room that contained a coffee maker and tea kettle.
The minibar was in a fridge directly below, and contained the usual spread of soda, beer and spirits.
The fresh fruit basket was a nice touch. During the turndown service each evening, the staff replenished the basket with the daily fruit selection.
The bathroom had one long wooden countertop outfitted with two sinks and an amenity tray, including complimentary bottles of water that were replenished daily.
The bath amenities were supplied by New York-based Le Labo Fragrances. This special collection Bergamote 22 scent was uniquely crafted for Park Hyatt hotels.
Because the bathroom was open to the rest of the room, the toilet was closed off in a small room of its own. It was equipped with the kind of bidet found across many parts of Asia.
The most stunning bathroom fixture was definitely the black, stone bathtub right up against to the window -- a pretty luxurious way to unwind and enjoy the incredible views.
Food and Beverage
This Park Hyatt has a total of seven dining venues, including anything from a small juice bar to an all-out traditional Chinese kitchen.
The one I most frequently visited, the Dining Room, was the locale for the daily breakfast buffet. It was on the ground floor, adjacent to the primary pool deck.
For what it offered, I found the buffet to be a bit pricey -- slightly over $30 per day. The spread was pretty average compared to some of the other hotels I had stayed in at on this trip, yet nearly double the price. The food was delicious, though.
Another popular venue was the Tea House, which served Chinese comfort food during the day and traditional hot pot for dinner. Each restaurant had a distinct atmosphere to it, and not surprisingly, this one strongly resembled a traditional Chinese teahouse.
While you could just pop in for a cup of handcrafted tea, the seating area offered full service.
I was eager to try local Hainanese delicacies, so after conversations with the waitress, I ordered a few of her recommended dishes.
The meal began with a starter plate and a cold towel.
The egg fried rice with spicy pork and bok choy was fantastic.
I also tried the Hainan duck, the island's answer to the world-renowned Peking duck from the country's northern capital. While I wouldn't put it on par with the Beijing specialty, it was absolutely delicious.
They also had an outstanding beef noodle soup, Lin Family Recipe, which was accompanied by an assortment of garnishes and a steam pot of dim sum.
On an island known for its tropical fruit, I had to try the mango pudding, and it was nothing short of superb.
Amenities
The grounds of this hotel were seemingly endless -- everywhere I turned, I discovered a new secluded spot perfect for relaxing or reading a good book.
And with open-air corridors connecting the entire property, I was constantly surrounded by the sounds of nature, which carried a supreme sense of tranquility throughout the public spaces.
One of the best spots to relax was the hotel's 400-foot-long pool, with partially submerged lounge chairs and surrounded by beautiful, lush landscaping.
There was also a relatively small indoor pool house and Jacuzzi, which offered a nice escape from the midday heat.
A wooden boardwalk connected the pool decks to the crystal blue shores of Yalong Bay.
The beach was absolutely pristine. There were about a dozen pairs of lounge chairs under the shady palms that made for an ideal spot to relax by the gently crashing waves.
A small floating dock served as a departure point for excursions including snorkeling and sightseeing trips.
Overall Impression
The Park Hyatt Sanya was truly a unique experience. The isolated Yalong Bay location gave this hotel a unique natural setting that felt in a world of its own. While the isolation may come with somewhat persistent language barrier, the exquisite food and magical hotel grounds offer a pristine sanctuary that's hard to come by elsewhere. I would love the opportunity to stay here again.
All photos by the author.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.