Conrad Sanya Haitang Bay
"Perhaps the best yet in a string of beachfront luxury reports in Hainan Province, this Conrad occupies a curling 13-mile-long bay and draws a well-heeled crowd. They come in search of two elements notably absent from urban Chinese life: space and silence. The stone villas, with colonial-style interiors, tray ceilings, and quarries’ worth of marble, are exceptionally roomy at around 650 square feet. The huge glass doors open to a private wraparound garden and a pool—a setup that would be quite Zen, were it not for the lounge music piped through speakers (which you can shut off). Several details give the villas a homey touch: personalized stationery, an espresso machine, exotic fruits such as mangosteen and carambola, a freebie-filled minibar, and free laundry service. The smartest note hit by the resort, though, is its balancing act between elegant and casual and between East and West. A vast crystal chandelier hangs above the concierge area, while whimsical Chinese zodiac sculptures flank a reflecting pool. The staff are fastidious and attentive. The three restaurants (one Western, one Chinese, and one casual beach grill) serve pizzas as well as refined local fish dishes. The result is a shrewd synthesis of yin and yang, albeit one that ends with a send-off in a Bentley from the hotel’s fleet."