January 15, 2007

ASIA | CHINA | HAINAN ISLAND

Hainan Doubles the Fun

By Mark Jolly

Spa where the sky meets the sea.

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So you haven’t heard of Sanya? That may soon change, now that China’s most happening beach destination, on Hainan Island, was given the Kempinski touch today. Just two months after their opening of Boao Canal Village (don’t worry, we can’t pronounce it, either), Kempinski opened Hotel Sanya, their second property on the island and home to Banyan Tree’s Angsana Spa. Having recently taken over the brilliantly conceived Commune at the Great Wall, comprised of 11 modern villas near Beijing — Kempinski is one of the heavy hitters to watch right now in China. As for Hainan, just one hour’s flight from Hong Kong, word is already starting to go global: this spring, Airtours will be the first British operator to offer charter vacations there, from Gatwick.