Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay - REVIEW - MASTER THREAD

After some long flights to get to Sanya, we took a cab to the Hyatt Haitang Bay.  We were greated warmly and offered a cool refreshing drink as we checked in.  We were impressed that they recognized my status and commented about how we would enjoy the resort and confirmed my room.  We had used a suite upgrade and were given a suite in the North Tower which is the same building as the Regency Club.  We arrived early in the afternoon and our room was ready and waiting for us.  Every time we walked by the front desk they greeted us which was nice.

Impressed.  The hotel just opened a few days before we arrived, and although you could see a few areas that are still being developed, the room was perfect and very modern.  This review is a little biased as I used a suite, but it really is an excellent use of a suite upgrade and a very nice room.

This is the bedroom of the suite.  Kingsize bed and a couch in front.  Bed faces a large TV here as well.

This is the balcony of the bedroom part of the room.  Note: queen sized bathtub on the balcony and two chairs and a table.

This is the dining area of the suite.  Note the table and two couches (not pictured) and another large screen TV.

This is the balcony off of the living room of the suite.

Unfortunately I didn't upload a picture of the bathroom, but it was very impressive as well.  The shower is probably 8-10 feet long and has two shower wands and a huge rain shower head.  As well his and hers sinks and closets and a separate toilet area and bathtub.

The sevice was amazing.  We were greeted by name as we entered the Regency Club as they were waiting and expecting us.  My wife kept saying that they just can't seem to do enough for us.  They were always wanting to provide excellent service and were alway hoping that we were enjoying ourselves.

We were also greeted throughout the stay by the rooms manager and the chefs from the different restaurants as well as the managers and assistant managers of the regency club.  Again, always wanting to make sure that we were having an excellent stay.

The service levels here were top notch and I always felt like a welcomed guest.

The restaurants all had a variety of foods.  My only complaint was the prices were higher then I had originally expected (beer about $8 USD, and a burger about $20, and other entrees as much as $30 ++)  Typical Hyatt resort food prices but this was China so I was expecting a little less.  However that said the quality was excellent.

Chinese Restuarant in the early evening.

As a diamond member I had complimentary breakfast at either the regency club or in the restaurant in the main building.  Both were excellent.

I believe there is a total 4 restaurants.  I quite liked the pool restaurant as it had excellent wester options and was of course convenient to the pool.

Haitang Bay is about 40 minutes by taxi from the airport.  The highway is great but the bay itself does not have many things to do or see.  The bay is I think about 10km long of sandy sandy beach.  Unfortunately you are not supposed to go into the water because of jelly fish and strong currents.

If you are chinese you can rent a car.  I was told by the concierge that I could not rent a car, even with my international license.  This is too bad as it is a very long walk (about 3 km) to the nearest restaurant, and the resort itself is so very huge, that you are not likely to leave it unless you take a taxi.

Grass area between the pool area and the beach.

Beach chair area.  Note: there was virtually no westerners when we stayed at the resort and the Chinese people do not like to sit and suntan at the beach.  The beach was always completely empty the whole week I was there and I think I was the only person to sit on the chairs at the beach.  So if you like a very secluded beach (except the staff and lifegaurd) you will be the only person on the beach.

Kids Pool

Excellent value and excellent benefits for this diamond member.  The staff will go out of their way to make sure you have an enjoyable stay. As a diamond the free breakfast and regency club access also helped to keep costs down.  Using a suite upgrade also added to an excellent stay.

If I were not diamond, I would definitely pay up, or use points to get regency club.  It is worth it.

The biggest issue I have is that the resort is so big and the resorts along the strip are so huge as well, that there is not much to do in the area except spend your week on the resort.  As well, without the ability to rent a car it can take away from the experience.  One other note is that the weather in the summer is a bit hot and wet, and its my understanding that the winter can be cool at times too.  That coupled with the fact that you can't swim in the empty beach takes away from this being what could be an amazing beach resort property.

Also wanted to add, here is a copy of the TAXI card.