Starwood Hotels & Resorts lengthens its lead in luxury with plans to open four resorts on Hainan Island in next five years

SANYA, China - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(NYSE:HOT) announced an agreement with Hainan Jianfeng Tourism Development Co., Ltd. to debut China’s first W Retreat and the second St. Regis resort on Hainan Island. Scheduled to open in 2019 and 2020, respectively, W Retreat & Spa Sanya - Haitang Bay and The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort will both be located at the North Wing of Haitang Bay, one of the most exclusive and sought-after addresses in the area.

"The rapid growth of Starwood’s luxury brands in China reflects the robust demand for high-end hospitality from an increasingly affluent market, where domestic travel continues to thrive,” said Qian Jin, President, Greater China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “Having a presence on Hainan Island for more than 10 years, Starwood is inimitably positioned to cater to today’s global travelers – delivering personalized service across a diverse portfolio of luxury hotels.”

Starwood is vigorously expanding its luxury presence to meet the demands of a new generation of well-heeled travelers in Hainan. By 2020, the company will add four luxury resorts to Hainan Island, including three St. Regis resorts in Haikou, Qingshui Bay and Haitang Bay as well as a W Retreat & Spa in Haitang Bay.

“We are thrilled to introduce the W brand’s first retreat in China while growing the St. Regis footprint locally,” said Robert Zhang, Vice President, Acquisition & Development, Greater China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “The island will soon house all three of Starwood’s luxury brands – W Hotels, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection – which will elevate the local resort experience for both business and leisure across Greater China.”

The only tropical island in China and the country’s largest Special Economic Zone, Hainan boasts powdery beaches, lush scenery and year-round sunshine. The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort and W Retreat & Spa Sanya - Haitang Bay will be located near Haitangwan town, 38 kilometers from Sanya’s city center and 45 kilometers from Sanya Phoenix International Airport. With 21.8 kilometers of pristine beachfront, clear waters and coconut palm groves, Haitang Bay retains an unspoiled beauty. A National Coast Wetland Park, Ocean Park, aquarium and yacht club have been planned within 4 kilometers of the resort complex. Construction has also commenced on the first phase of a larger yacht club, with 30 berths at Tielu Harbor on the tip of the South Wing of Haitang Bay.

“We are delighted and proud to be working with Starwood Hotels and Resorts on both prestigious projects in Hainan Island,” said Mr. Luo Hai Qiang, Chairman, Hainan Jianfeng Tourism Development Co., Ltd. “Having two global luxury brands with their exceptional reputations side by side in Haitang Bay will further cement Hainan Island’s position as a world-class destination for international travelers.”

W Retreat & Spa Sanya – Haitang Bay
Designed to become Hainan Island's newest, most happening scene, W Retreat & Spa Sanya - Haitang Bay will feature 450 stylish guestrooms and 10 villas, with most guestrooms boasting panoramic ocean views.

The W Retreat & Spa will serve as an ideal island venue for weddings, business gatherings and creative meetings, featuring more than 2,400 square meters of meeting and event space as well as a business center, spa, fitness center, indoor heated swimming pool, kids club and W Hotels The Store. In addition, W Retreat & Spa Sanya - Haitang Bay will offer four unique restaurant and bar offerings, including an all-day dining restaurant, Chinese restaurant, specialty restaurant and lobby lounge. Guests can also expect the W brand’s renowned Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy, providing them with whatever they want, whenever they want it.

As the first W Retreat in China, W Retreat & Spa Sanya - Haitang Bay joins W Retreat & Spa Goa in the Asia Pacific pipeline. The W brand currently operates five Retreats in exotic destinations around the world, including Bali, Maldives, Koh Samui, Verbier and Vieques Island.

The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort
Located directly on the beach with panoramic ocean vistas, The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort will feature 400 guestrooms and 15 villas, as well as a luxury spa, three restaurants, a lobby lounge, wine bar and over 2,000 square meters of meeting facilities. Offering an unrivaled dimension of luxury, sophistication and service, The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort is poised to occupy a leading position as one of the island’s premier vacation and tourist destinations.

Specifically, the resort will present guests with the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels, including luxury accommodations, bespoke guest experiences and the iconic St. Regis Butler Service. St. Regis butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guest needs and customizing each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.

As Starwood’s ultra-luxury brand, St. Regis has fast become a favorite for visiting heads of state, with flagship hotels in Beijing, Lhasa, Shenzhen, Sanya and Tianjin. The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort will mark the brand’s third luxury resort in China and the second St. Regis resort on Hainan Island.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia