A magnificent year-round destination: families bring children, corporate events increase and resorts expand services
Sanya has evolved from a winter retreat, and hotels have expanded their amenities for families with children, and upgraded their services for business meetings and group activities
Once known as a winter retreat, Sanya has become a year-round destination, attracting families, business people and sports lovers from around the world. At least three-dozen five-star hotels now service Sanya’s 15 million annual visitors. The area’s premier hotels are responding to the changes with an expanded set of services and amenities.
“The profile has changed, it used to be predominantly couples and friends coming in groups for meetings, and team members or customers to Sanya and Yalong Bay,” according to Stephan Stoss, general manager of the Hilton Sanya Yalong Bay Resort and Spa and Hainan South Cluster general manager. “Now it’s more of a family destination where parents bring the children on a vacation.”
Julian Wong, general manager of the Sanya Marriott Hotel Dadonghai Bay, notes that he sees more middle-class Generation Y and Millennial families.
“Feeder markets include Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong and southwest China,” he says. “For international arrivals, Hong Kong and Russia feature prominently.”
Ulf Pauschardt, general manager of the Sheraton Sanya Resort at Yalong Bay, notes that “second-tier cities such as Chongqing, Chengdu, Zhejiang and Hangzhou are on the rise”. He also sees a trend towards families, who are “certainly the most important focus for us”.
Guest visits tend to be fairly short-term, according to Christophe Hazebrouck, area general manager for Accor Hotels in Hainan (Luxury and Upscale Brands) and general manager of the Sofitel Sanya Leeman Resort. “Two to three nights is a typical stay,” he says.
The resorts that stand out are those that offer unique services and amenities.
