Mandarin Oriental, Sanya

The room was a bit small, but the bedding was comfortable. The room came with a private pool, and the water was quite clean. Breakfast offered a wide variety of choices and tasted good. The public areas were beautiful and great for photos! The service was a little lacking, with somewhat slow response times, falling a bit short compared to Capella. Everything else was fine!

The Mandarin Oriental Sanya has that classic old-hotel charm. There are many huge, mature trees and beautifully maintained lawns. The public areas exude a beauty that comes with age. A stroll along the beach path towards the villas is absolutely stunning – on a clear day, it feels like a mini-Maldives! 🥰 The service was exceptional. The moment I stepped out of the car, they greeted me by my full name. We were whisked away by buggy straight to our villa for check-in. When checking out, I simply messaged our butler on WeChat to arrange a buggy for our luggage, and before the buggy even arrived, my deposit was already refunded – so generous! I'm easily won over by these little details. [blush] Knowing we had a late flight, they even granted us a late check-out. Special thanks to the butler team: Jacky, Jason, Gavin, Lee, and Eason. They made our two-day stay incredibly comfortable. The location is superb. Coral Bay is beautiful on a sunny day. The entire beach is covered in coral, which my child loved collecting. You can go tide pooling at low tide and snorkeling at high tide. Initially, an older hotel like this, which typically wouldn't offer great value for money, wasn't on my radar. But my husband wanted to stay, and I was worried that the basic rooms might be old and not well-maintained. Then I saw a deal for an entry-level two-bedroom villa that seemed quite reasonable, so I booked it. Before arrival, the butler contacted me to ask about any requests. I mentioned I liked sea views and a good location, and that it was my child's birthday, so a small decoration would be nice. They upgraded us directly to the top-tier Coral Bay full sea view villa! My superficial self found it hard to be objective after that, haha. Breakfast was decent. It closes at 11 AM, and even arriving at 10:30 AM, there was still a short queue – this was probably the only minor drawback. For dinner, we ate at The Corner, one of the hotel's restaurants. We ordered a set menu for two, and the chef came to inquire about our preferences. We mentioned the steak was a little dry, and without hesitation, they immediately prepared another excellent ribeye. Again, so generous! [strong_emoji]

This was my first time visiting Sanya, and the Mandarin Oriental truly lived up to its reputation. It's like an aging Ferrari – still a Ferrari! My butler contacted me beforehand via WeChat and had a great attitude. Check-in was much faster than I expected, and they provided complimentary fruit, which was delicious. The lobster wontons at breakfast were amazing; I regretted not having more bowls since the line was long when I went later. The soufflé was also excellent. I honestly couldn't find a single fault. My room, Cuiyuanxuan 8101, wasn't run-down at all. All the charging outlets worked, which was much better than I anticipated. Waking up to the birds chirping was lovely, though I didn't encounter any wild monkeys. The Mandarin Oriental's private beach was incredibly beautiful; it's something you truly need to experience in person, as photos don't do it justice. The public areas are vast, so it's best to call for the shuttle service in advance if you plan to leave the area. There isn't much for kids to do, especially those over 5. Overall, I was very satisfied and would definitely visit again if I get the chance.

The hotel overall was excellent. The room was clean and tidy, and the common areas were quiet and picturesque. The beach was like a glass sea, with loungers right on the shore. Breakfast was plentiful, and the beachfront buffet dinner had stunning views. The service was extremely satisfying; they were always there when called upon.

This was my second stay at the Mandarin Oriental Sanya. Last year, I stayed in the Ocean View Suite, and this year, my three friends and I booked a villa. The villa butler even upgraded our room type! A huge thanks to the butler team: Jacky, Jason, Gavin, Lee, and Eason. They responded to messages instantly, and a car would arrive within two minutes whenever we requested one! The resort was absolutely beautiful after the typhoon.

Mandarin Oriental Sanya truly lives up to its reputation as a top luxury hotel. It's nestled in a quiet spot yet close to everything, blending lush tropical gardens with stunning ocean views. The private beach is serene and uncrowded. Rooms are fully equipped, and the bedding is incredibly soft and comfortable for a great night's sleep. The service is meticulous and attentive, with shuttle services and turndown service adding a touch of class. The food at the beachfront restaurant is outstanding. It's perfect for both relaxation and leisure, making your vacation experience absolutely perfect. Highly recommended!

Staying at the Mandarin Oriental Sanya with kids was such a pleasant surprise! The private beach is soft and safe, and there are multiple pools with dedicated children's play areas. The lush gardens provide excellent privacy, and the staff are warm, attentive, and proactively offered kids' amenities. The breakfast spread was extensive and fresh, and the rooms were clean and comfortable. Being right by the ocean meant no crowds, just peace and relaxation. Our whole family had a wonderfully enjoyable time.

After the summer rush, the crowds have thinned out considerably, and the prices are very reasonable now. Having the bay all to yourself means fantastic views, and enjoying a Western meal while watching the sunset was quite atmospheric. Even though the hotel has been open for a while, the villas weren't as old as I expected; they're actually very well-maintained. The staff were all friendly and greeted us warmly, and the shuttle golf cart arrived very quickly.

Mandarin Oriental Sanya stands out as one of the few hotels in Sanya offering ultimate privacy, complete with its own secluded beach. The ocean here, much like at Park Hyatt, boasts stunning 'glassy' turquoise waters. Having experienced various top-tier five-star hotels in Sanya, I still find Mandarin Oriental Sanya's common areas to be the most beautiful. Their breakfast is also the best among all the five-star hotels, especially the crayfish wontons and durian mini cakes. I will definitely stay here again on my next visit.