Prestigious resort inspired by legendary Silk Road trade route styled by architects Jean-Michel Gathy and Bill Bensley
SINGAPORE, January 11, 2019 – Singapore’s Capella Hotel Group and prominent Chinese developer China Gezhouba Group Real Estate today celebrated the official Grand Opening of Capella Sanya on China’s tropical island of Hainan.
The prestigious beachfront retreat promises to “set a new benchmark for China’s luxury beach resorts” – and is inspired by the fabled history of China’s ancient Maritime Silk Road.
Designed as a collaborative art piece by two of the world’s most celebrated, visionary hotel & resort architects, Jean-Michel Gathy and Bill Bensley, Capella Sanya is one of the Asian hospitality industry’s most exciting new openings of the year.
With 190 exquisitely-designed rooms and villas amid lush gardens overlooking the South China Sea, the resort references the legendary trade route in its grand design and in every detail of its “extraordinary journey” – from décor, cuisine and even menu design to landscaping, recreational activities and spa pampering.
“The combined creative genius of Jean-Michel Gathy and Bill Bensley, Capella Sanya ensures guests a stunning backdrop against which to experience a wealth of meticulously crafted experiences on a themed journey across the New Silk Road,” said general manager Yngvar Stray.
The stunning 4,257 sqm Dream Pool of Essays is a hallmark of traditional Chinese culture and design which connects guests with “oriental wisdom” through the poetry of Tang dynasty poet Zhang Ruoxu, and is meant to bring luck and good fortune.
The spectacular Lobby is styled as the heart of its own feng shui universe, with a ‘treasure bowl’ dome trickling water into a central pool, an auspicious metaphor for prosperity and wealth.
The conceptual square inside the circular pool represents the Earth and the elements of harvest, abundance, nourishment and fertility; while the circular pool and fountain represent “fulfilment”, “perfection” and “unity of family” in Chinese culture. By night, the water feature transforms into dazzling reflections of energy and peacefulness.
Hainan’s Most Luxurious Accommodation
Capella’s renown for bespoke hospitality as one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury brands is underlined by 190 of the island’s most elegant and spacious rooms, suites and villas, which are the most generously proportioned on the island.
They range from 88 sqm ocean-front and garden rooms to grand ocean and garden suites and clusters of one-to-four bedroom pool villas measuring from 170-816sqm, as well as a prestigious chairman’s penthouse.
The 4-Bedroom Oceanfront Pool Villa is the largest residence of the resort. Complete with its own swimming pool, jacuzzi, outdoor bar, massage pavilion, sunken lawn, BBQ pavilion, garage, kitchen and staff accommodation, it is also an alternative venue for an intimate wedding or celebration.
All accommodation features premium wireless internet, 65-inch flat screen IPTV and spacious balconies, with luxurious amenities by Diptyque, and ultra-soft linen by Rivolta Carmignani.
Capella’s Personal Assistants
A hallmark of the Capella brand is that each guest has a personal assistant assigned to take care of all their needs and personalize their stay, from before they arrive, throughout their stay and sometimes beyond.
They can also provide insider access to the rich culture and local experiences in Sanya.
Maritime Silk Road Wining & Dining
Cuisine, beverages and even menu design at the four distinctive restaurants, bars and lounges, pay homage to the rich cultures, flavours and spices along the fabled trade route.
Gracious and refined signature Chinese fine dining restaurant Lan Ting is styled after a traditional Chinese tea house – complete with a classical red-tiled roof.
Modern Cantonese cuisine from refined dim sum to sophisticated seasonal dishes is helmed by multi-award winning Hong Kong Master Chef Peter Ma Wing Tak, bringing a stellar international reputation from previously heading Cantonese gourmet restaurant LiLi at The Peninsula, Paris.
In a lively, interactive market-place atmosphere, main restaurant Silk Road embraces the specialties, spices, culture and traditions of various ports along the Maritime Silk Road – from Sanya to Singapore, Thailand to India, and the Middle East to the Mediterranean.
The Library & Library Bar continues the Maritime Silk Road journey in a club setting with snacks and cocktails inspired by spices, herbs, teas and ingredients along the voyages; and antique-style drinks menu designed as an ancient seafarer’s spice-route map.
Chic tropical pool and beach restaurant The Dempsey likewise pays homage to the theme, with comfort food, spices, fruits and eminently Instagram-able cocktails from Asia to Europe.
Weddings & Events
Capella Sanya is an ideal venue for prestigious weddings, banquets and events. The resort offers over 2,000 sqm of meeting and function facilities includes a 646 sqm ballroom catering for up to 520 guests, and range of bespoke indoor and outdoor venues including a 255 sqm Romance Lawn on its own ‘island’ in a lake in the middle of the resort – a breathtaking backdrop for couples to become the focus of attention at dream weddings.
Health & Wellness in Tune with the Moon
Capella Sanya offers among the most extensive health and wellness facilities in China.
AURIGA Wellness is a serene 4,020 sqm sanctuary for holistic pampering – a cocoon for guests to rest, rejuvenate and tap into celestial rhythms through a distinctive approach to wellness and beauty based on the cycles of the moon.
A destination in itself, the spa complex debuts Hainan’s first authentic Moroccan bath – and also the region’s first ‘Snow Cabin’ for an invigorating wintry experience amid Hainan’s year-round tropical warmth.
Healthy recreational facilities are complete with a state-of-the-art Athletic Centre with its own private 125sqm heated lap pool, two flood-lit tennis courts and a full range of water sports.
Capella Curates
The Capella Curates programme invites guests to fully experience the best of what the destination of Sanya offers.
Among the inspiring curated activities is morning ‘Tai Chi at the Dream Pool of Essays’ where a Taichi master dramatically brings the water fountain to life with the power of Taichi, as mystical, ancient tunes fill the air.
For the adventurous, there is ‘Fishing DaWang’ – an authentic, illuminating window into the local way of life through fishing trips with the fishermen who have been living off the sea for generations.
Another unique activity includes a trip to a local farm in Wenchang with Executive Chef Peter Ma to savor authentic Wenchang Chicken Rice, allowing guests to experience and taste the very original ‘Hainan Chicken’ rice in the world.
As evening falls, ‘Stops along the Maritime Silk Road’ is a nightly ritual at the resort with the host opening a seafarer’s log book – unfolding the fascinating tales of the historic maritime silk road, enlivened with 14 unique cocktails crafted from ingredients of ports from Shanghai, Sanya and Singapore to Thailand, India, the Middle East and Mediterranean.
About Capella Sanya
Capella Sanya is 45 minutes from Sanya Phoenix International Airport, and 15 minutes from Sanya Duty Free Mall.
Capella Sanya is Capella Hotel Group’s first beach resort and second hotel in China, after Capella Shanghai, joining a global portfolio of the world’s finest hotels and resorts including Singapore (Sentosa), Düsseldorf, Shanghai and newly-opened, Bill Bensley-designed, Ubud (Bali). The luxury brand continues expansion in Bangkok (2019), the Maldives (2020) and Sydney (2021).
Capella Hotels and Resorts is a refined constellation of the world’s finest hotels and resorts celebrating the individuality of the most discerning travelers at intimate spaces in extraordinary places, upholding a legacy of crafted luxury design combined with highest level of personalised service, inspiring cuisine and world-class spas. Beyond bespoke hospitality Capella is a visionary curation of unique and memorable culture and experience; an exclusive collection of resorts, hotels and residences in harmony with their environment.
The Legend of Blessed Bay
Capella Sanya not only pays homage to the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Its location in secluded Blessed Bay, on Hainan’s southern coast, is part of the legend.
China’s southernmost island was a major transit point for seafarers to and from China trading in merchandise from silk, porcelain and lacquerware to spices, rosewood and Lingnan-style bronzeware.
At the southern border of China’s ‘Middle Kingdom’, Hainan was therefore a key port-of-call along the ancient seafaring network connecting East and West that dates back 2,200 years to the Qin and the Han dynasties – and was most prosperous 700 years ago in the Tang and Song dynasties..
As the ‘Legend of Blessed Bay’ recalls, it was here where Capella Sanya stands today. In the 14th century, that Persian traders reputedly sheltered from a devastating typhoon.
They were so relieved and grateful at saving their precious cargo from calamity – and subsequently earning a fortune – they named their haven ‘Blessed Bay’, translating to TuFu Bay in Chinese.
About Capella Hotel Group
Capella Hotel Group, headquartered in Singapore with offices in China, Europe and USA, offers global hospitality management services through two distinct brands. Capella Hotels and Resorts is an ultra-luxury hotel, resort and residential concept designed for the most discerning travellers and offering personalized attention with locations in Düsseldorf, Sanya, Shanghai, Ubud and Singapore as well as hotels planned for Bangkok, Maldives and Sydney. Solis Hotels and Resorts, is an exclusive collection of resorts, hotels and residences designed for travelers and meeting planners who seek an environment with a global palette of cosmopolitan comfort, inspiring cuisine, world-class spas with locations in Nanjing, China and Atlanta, USA along with hotels planned for Bali and Guangzhou. Learn more at www.capellahotelgroup.com.
