SWA’s Post

On the southeastern coast of Hainan Island, the Sanya EDITION forgoes a conventional resort pool for a 4-acre saltwater lagoon filled daily by the South China Sea. Designed to buffer guests from rough surf and unpredictable tides, the lagoon creates a controlled setting for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, while offering direct access to a waterfront of preserved dunes and thinned groves of Australian pine and coconut palm. SWA’s competition-winning approach was inspired by the convergence of river deltas with the sea, giving shape to villa gardens, swimming pools, and fountains, including a dramatic cascade in the hotel lobby that frames ocean views. Throughout the 52-acre grounds, local species were preserved where possible, and revegetation strategies replaced ornamental species with naturalized ones along the fragile dune ecosystem. Sea almond, jacaranda, and frangipani provide canopy and understory; cascades of hibiscus and seasonal color soften walls and paths. Since its 2016 opening, this Ian Schrager–helmed property has earned a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award, Best in Show at the Hospitality Design Awards, and recognition as Hainan’s leading hotel every year since 2020. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eU7nt8_x