We review The Sanya EDITION Hotel in China, where you'll never want to leave.

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Photo courtesy of The Sanya EDITION

If you think you know Sanya, think again. Once a playground for China’s affluent, Sanya has undergone a complete makeover in recent years with resorts from every top tier hotel brand you can think of.

Contributing to this identity shift is hospitality visionary Ian Schrager, who hand-picked Sanya as the location for the EDITION Hotel's debut in Asia.

“We wanted to create something that wasn’t like anything you can see in Sanya or the rest of China,” says Schrager. “This hotel feels like its own village — something modern that embraces the culture and people of China, but in many ways comfortable and familiar.”

Spanning 50 acres, this hotel is practically a mini kingdom of leisure. We take a look inside the swanky resort and highlight the unique attributes than make Sanya a good choice for quick getaways.


A Unique Aesthetic

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Photo courtesy of The Sanya EDITION

A tropical gem on the coast of Southern China, Sanya greets all travellers with a gentle breeze — an attribute amplified by the hotel’s direct location on Haitang Bay. The sky-high bamboo trees and incredibly tall ceilings at the entryway make an unforgettable first impression. Take a walk through the chic lobby, and you’ll be lavished with the EDITION’s signature scent — a relaxing blend of smoked black teas and cotton — curated by high-end perfumer Le Labo. Bleached oak, teak wood and palm are some of the design elements used to evoke tranquillity. It only takes a look (and a whiff) to realise that you’re no longer trapped in an urban jungle.


Boutique Chic Rooms

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Photo courtesy of The Sanya EDITION

The EDITION Hotel’s signature aesthetic has carried over to the new property’s 512 guestrooms. All rooms come with an ocean view, retaining the white and natural wood palette synonymous with the brand. Those look for even more space and luxury should reserve one of the hotel’s 17 villas, which are nestled on a hill and come equipped with private swimming pools and outdoor space.


 A Private Ocean

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Photo courtesy of The Sanya EDITION

While the rooms have kept the iconic “EDITION look”, it possesses one quality that missing at its sister locations in Miami, New York and London: space. In such, the Sanya location is the first true boutique resort of its kind. The Private Ocean—a pool with 10 million gallons of fresh water pumped from the nearby South China Sea—is the centrepiece of the hotel and the source of Schrager’s pride and joy. The possibilities of things to do are endless, with kayaking, paddle boards and water bikes all available to guests at the 2-metre deep salt water section. Should you want to cool off in a smaller setting, there are four other swimming pools available throughout the hotel.


Decompress at a Spa

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Photo via ThinkStock

No vacation is complete without a trip to the spa, and at The Sanya EDITION, the facilities are equally impressive in variety and size. Standard amenities such as sauna, steam room and jacuzzi are available, and deluxe treatment rooms come with private outdoor jacuzzi baths surrounded by lush greenery. Go for the Detox Massage, where the toxins are removed from the body using a soothing body oil from ESPA containing sandalwood, rose geranium and frankincense. With your mind clear and your skin supple from the nourishing, all your cares are sure to slip away.


 Bring Home Artworks as Souvenirs

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Photo courtesy of The Sanya EDITION

With Sanya gaining recognition as a destination for art fairs and gallery shows, the EDITION is not one step behind. Be sure to stop by Limited EDITION, a lifestyle shop selling works from over 80 artists and 100 designers, co-curated by the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing. Bringing back a one-of-kind piece of artwork will surely be the most meaningful type of souvenir.


Family Fun

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Photo courtesy of The Sanya EDITION

While the grownups get some R&R and soak up the sun, the kids can go out to play at Playland at EDITION, a family entertainment area that boasts a mini golf course, bumper cars, rock climbing facilities and a train system — all fun zones that can rival a small arcade. Getting FOMO from seeing youngsters having all the fun? Good news: adults are also welcome on the premises too.


For more information, visit editionhotels.com/sanya