Situated at the foot of Luhuitou Mountain and fronting the beach, the 458-room Sanya Marriott Hotel Dadonghai Bay in Hainan, China, is made up of two buildings landscaped around four outdoor pools, tropical gardens and a large seafront lawn. Not only does the hotel’s tropical setting scream relaxation for overworked attendees, but its meeting space, authentic cuisine and innovative teambuilding options make it attractive to groups also looking to get some work done.
The hotel’s design reflects the natural surroundings of the tropical destination of Sanya, dubbed the “Hawaii of China.” Designed by U.S.-based AECOM, the hotel was created to provide guests optimal views of the sunrises and sunsets over Dadonghai Bay. The New Wing includes 292 rooms and suites—each offering either mountain or ocean views. In 2016, the Executive Wing will open, adding 166 oversized rooms and suites with private balconies.
The property’s 18,805 sf of meeting space stands out, as it includes the largest Grand Ballroom in Dadonghai Bay. Plus, it features an outdoor terrace and large seafront lawn—ideal for luncheons or evening cocktail receptions. If you time it right, one of the area’s famous sunsets could show up as a backdrop.
“The biggest available Grand Ballroom in Dadonghai Bay means that the hotel is prime to target both higher-end leisure guests as well as MICE group business segments,” adds Julian Wong, general manager at the hotel.
The hotel features local and international dining at five restaurants, a lounge bar and a pastry shop. That includes Goji Kitchen, a microconcept that features a variety of walls and partitions that can be rearranged to alter the look and feel of the space to suit different dining needs. After a meeting, attendees can visit the Lounge and drink traditional Chinese teas. The China Baking Company also brings guests a modern adaptation of a traditional Hong Kong bakery. Opening in early 2016, Man Ho Chinese Restaurant will serve authentic Shandong cuisine, and Smoki Moto will be a specialty Korean barbeque and Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant. The hotel can also organize a Chef’s Table for groups interested in a customized menu and wine pairing.
Situated on the ocean, attendees can go snorkeling or diving right in front of the hotel. For a stronger bonding experience, the hotel staff also works with meeting planners to organize a scavenger hunt using hotel facilities that is similar to the “Amazing Race,” says Wong. Pool activities are also available, including pool volleyball and swimming competitions. Venturing offsite, groups can also go pick out seafood at a nearby seafood market and see it cooked before them in the local hawker (or open-air complex), true to Hainan culture, says Wong.
