The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, Yalong Bay

Our stay at The Ritz-Carlton Sanya was truly special.

From the very first moment, we felt incredibly welcomed — the attention to detail here is on another level. A personalized note and welcome treats in the room made it feel very thoughtful.

The atmosphere is calm, private, and very refined. The grounds are spacious, so you never feel crowded.

We also had a chance to try ocean fishing, and it was such a memorable experience — everyone in our family truly enjoyed it.

We even played pickleball during our stay, and it was so much fun.

We especially appreciated the Club Lounge experience and the quality of food throughout the stay.

This hotel is perfect if you are looking for a peaceful, high-end getaway with exceptional service.

I recently stayed at The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, Yalong Bay, and it truly lived up to the Ritz-Carlton reputation of luxury, impeccable service, and unforgettable experiences. Located in the stunning Yalong Bay area of Sanya, the resort offers a perfect blend of tropical paradise, elegant architecture, and thoughtful Chinese cultural touches.
First Impressions & Grounds
From the moment you arrive, the resort feels like a serene sanctuary. The sprawling grounds are beautifully landscaped with towering palm trees, lush gardens, and winding pathways that lead to multiple pools, the beach, and various dining venues. The architecture beautifully fuses modern luxury with traditional Chinese elements – think elegant pavilions, red accents, and intricate woodwork.
The highlight of the outdoor spaces is the massive, beautifully designed swimming pools. Whether you’re relaxing by the pool with a book or taking a dip at sunset, it’s pure bliss. The beach access is excellent too – soft white sand, clear turquoise water, and a wooden boardwalk leading straight down to the sea.

The rooms are spacious, elegantly furnished, and offer wonderful views of the gardens, pools, or ocean. The bathrooms are particularly impressive with deep soaking tubs and high-quality amenities. Everything felt fresh, clean, and well-maintained.
The resort has top-tier facilities including a well-equipped gym, kids’ club, and multiple dining options. During our stay, we enjoyed playing on the colorful tennis courts surrounded by palm trees and festive red lanterns – a lovely touch.

We were fortunate to visit during Chinese New Year, and the resort pulled out all the stops. The evening fire shows were spectacular! Bright sparks flying high into the night sky, reflected beautifully in the water features, created a magical atmosphere.
Equally impressive was the traditional lion dance performance. The vibrant yellow and red lions “danced” energetically under the wooden pavilions, reaching up to grab the hanging greens and red envelopes. The energy, drums, and crowd’s excitement made it a truly authentic and joyful cultural experience that perfectly captured the spirit of the festival.

Dining – Signature Hainan Beef Noodles
The dining options at the resort are excellent, but one dish stood out as a true signature experience: the Hainan beef noodles. Served in a rich, aromatic broth, this bowl features tender slices of beef, hearty chunks of beef brisket or tendon, fresh rice noodles, and a perfectly balanced sour and slightly spicy profile. The tang comes beautifully from lime and pickled elements, while a gentle heat builds in the background without overpowering the delicate flavors. It’s comforting, flavorful, and deeply satisfying – easily one of the best noodle soups I’ve had in China. Paired with fresh juices and a side of fruit, it made for a perfect light yet filling meal.
We also enjoyed the elegant afternoon tea at the club, setup with a beautiful multi-tiered stand featuring delicate pastries, scones, and fresh tropical fruits served in a dragon fruit bowl. Breakfast was abundant with both Western and Chinese options.

The staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly. From the housekeeping team who left thoughtful touches to the dining staff who remembered our preferences, the service felt personalized and heartfelt.

Overall, The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, Yalong Bay delivered a memorable luxury escape, especially during the festive Chinese New Year period. The combination of stunning tropical surroundings, world-class facilities, spectacular entertainment (fire shows and lion dance), and standout dishes like the signature Hainan beef noodles made our stay truly special.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, family vacation, or cultural immersion, this resort is highly recommended. We can’t wait to return!

Nestled along the pristine shores of Hainan Island, The Ritz-Carlton Sanya offers a seamless blend of tropical serenity and refined luxury. From the moment you arrive, the resort sets a tone of understated elegance, with lush landscaped gardens, tranquil lagoons, and sweeping ocean views that immediately transport you into a world of relaxation.

The accommodations are nothing short of exceptional. Spacious rooms and private villas are thoughtfully designed with contemporary Asian influences, featuring high ceilings, elegant furnishings, and generous balconies or terraces. Many offer direct lagoon access or panoramic sea views, creating a sense of privacy and exclusivity that is perfect for both couples and families.

Dining at the resort is a highlight in itself. With a diverse selection of restaurants, guests can indulge in everything from authentic Cantonese cuisine to fresh seafood and international favorites. Each venue is complemented by attentive service and beautifully curated settings, whether it’s a romantic beachfront dinner or a lively family gathering.

What truly elevates the experience is the impeccable service. The staff (Jay) consistently go above and beyond, delivering warm, personalized hospitality that feels genuine rather than scripted. He heard I’m coughing and he immediately prepared a glass of warm honey lemon for me.

The resort’s facilities cater to a wide range of interests. Multiple swimming pools, including a stunning lagoon-style pool, offer ample space to unwind. The spa provides a sanctuary of wellness with expertly delivered treatments, while the beach—clean, expansive, and serene—invites long walks and quiet moments by the sea. Families will also appreciate the well-organized kids’ activities and family-friendly amenities.

While the resort is undeniably luxurious, it maintains a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, striking a perfect balance between sophistication and comfort. Whether you are seeking a romantic escape, a family vacation, or simply a peaceful retreat, The Ritz-Carlton Sanya delivers an experience that is both memorable and deeply rejuvenating.

In every sense, it exemplifies what a world-class resort should be—beautifully designed, flawlessly operated, and genuinely unforgettable. It is worth the price you pay for it.

Had a lovely getaway experience to Sanya staying at the Ritz Carlton Sanya. After a very short ride from the train station to the resort which is located right on popular Yalong Bay, we were offered a very warm welcome by the GM - Ms Sherona Lau. We were checked into a very spacious and well appointed room with large balcony offering good ocean view. The resort offers good choice of F&B options, beachfront restaurants with band and even a ice cream bar. The highlight of our stay is however the Club as it provided us with such good valued, round the clock meals with drinks and bites in between. The beef rice noodles is seriously addictive. Club staff also always welcome us with a lovely smile, Jay was especially thoughtful.The resort's leisure facilities are also top notch, spa, multiple pools, picket ball and beach volleyball courts, huge gym, spa and even a fishing pond. We really do not need to travel out during our 3 nights' stay and just fully enjoy a very relaxing stay at resort. I hope to revisit this lovely resort again when I next visit Sanya.

This is truly an unforgetable experience. The service, the facilities, as well as the place a re fantastic.
This truly is luxury. Can only recommend it. The coolest thing was probably the selection of pools with fun toys like waterguns and jetskis to rent.

Arrived to the most beautiful welcome, weather and resort - the Ritz-Carlton Sanya had the most superb, friendly and helpful staff paired with an incredibly stunning location, comfy rooms, brilliant facilities, activities, and lovely restaurants. Would especially recommend the Italian or lunch at the Sand Bar.

If you are looking for a special holiday, restful break, or simply a first class holiday, I could not recommend it more. Can’t wait to go back already!

Wonderful service, dining, and resort. Was an amazing experience and hope to return soon.

From pickle ball tournaments to slow dancing in the restaurant- amazing experience!

I had a fantastic stay at The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, Yalong Bay. The property is beautiful, peaceful, and very well maintained. The beach, gardens, and overall environment make it a perfect place to relax and enjoy a luxury vacation.

The Executive Lounge was one of the highlights of my stay. The team there provided truly excellent service every time I visited. Special thanks to Alice, Jay, Willa, and May. They were always warm, attentive, and genuinely caring. Their professionalism and friendliness made the lounge experience very comfortable and enjoyable. You can really feel the Ritz-Carlton standard through their service.

The fitness center is also outstanding, with modern equipment and a very clean environment. I would like to thank James, Jerry, and Peter from the gym team. They were very friendly and helpful, always making sure guests felt welcome and that everything was running perfectly.

Overall, the service throughout the resort was exceptional. The staff truly go above and beyond to make guests feel comfortable and well taken care of. I would definitely recommend The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, Yalong Bay to anyone looking for a relaxing and high-quality resort experience.

We visited during a busy time frame right around the Chinese new year. But the hospitality I received from the hotel is beyond what I have expected.
This is the second time I have visited this property, the last time is 2008 right after the grand opening of ritz Sanya. The property does show its age after almost 20 years of service, but the staff members is what turns a stay into an experience. Lena, our personal butler, is a prime example of being above and beyond to ensure our stay is as smooth as possible. She greeted us with a thorough introduction of all the facilities on ritz Sanya and followed up with all the activities we can try. We ended up trying several of the in house activities and they were all great.

The room is large and comfortable, and of course a great view of the beach and sea. When the sun is out, a glance out of the balcony really made this trip worth it.

Overall I would recommend this location to family oriented people, it would make your time worth while.

All the staff are very helpful and friendly. Swimming pool is a big highlight. Beach access is very convenient. The room is very spacious and clean. I wish to come back next summer!

Beautiful setting and great location.
All of the staff, without exception, are very friendly and go out of their way to ensure your experience in and around the resort is top notch and unforgettable!

We had the best family holiday at the ritz-Carlton sanya. The resort is extremely family and kid friendly. The ritz kids had activities available for the kids everyday which our kids (age 4 and 6) enjoyed all the activities. There wasn’t a need to leave the resort as they had all we needed on site. The restaurants were incredible and there was a great selection of different types of cuisines to enjoy. The rooms are beautiful, spacious and very clean. We will definitely be back to ritz-Carlton sanya to make more unforgettable memories.

The spa at The Ritz-Carlton Sanya Yalong Bay 5* left a very positive impression on me. The atmosphere is tranquil and elegant, and the facilities are clean, comfortable and well designed.

The staff were extremely friendly and courteous throughout my visit. They were tactful, respectful and attentive to details, which made me feel truly cared for. It was easy to communicate in English, so I could clearly explain my preferences and ask questions without any difficulty.

The spa offers a wide range of programs, including different types of massages, body treatments and relaxation rituals, so it is simple to choose something that fits your needs. I was very satisfied with the quality of the services: the therapists were professional, and after the treatment I felt deeply relaxed, refreshed and full of energy.

Excellent resort location with a spectacular view from most rooms, but my favourite is the poolside with a Jacuzzi; it's like a Chiang Mai feeling and very enjoyable.

Last but not least, the team member did very well, like Alison's flexibility to change the best room to me, Jay from the Club lounge remembered my name to greet me every morning, and provided my favourite drinks when I dropped by.

Thank you for providing excellent service during my stay, it's worth coming back again. By the way, don't miss the reserve poolside room.

Edwin

We spent a wonderful week at Ritz Carlton Yalong Bay.
Special thanks to Tatyana, who helped us a lot as from the beginning to feel comfortable, arrange things and find the best day trips. Her kindness and support was extremely helpful!
Our room had a beautiful view of the sea, was extremely nice, spacious, comfortable & stylish. Breakfast was delicious and as of great variety. We usually chose from the plenty of tasty Chinese food.
For dinner we liked the Chinese restaurant the most. The Cantonese duck was the most tasty.
Pool area is huge and beautiful. Beach in front of the hotel is only for sun beds but not for swimming. However, a 100 m away there is a designated area for swimming.
We made several day trips to tropical forest areas (Yalong Forest Park, Yanoda Rainforest Park), Nanshan Temple Complex, Sanya City with the First (night) Market, Wuzhizhou Island, etc.. All were adventures and very interesting.

You need to prepare yourself with a good translator app as to find English speaker people is challenging. Downloading Alipay is also recommended, everyone uses it for payment.
On the other hand if you are well prepared and like adventure, you will enjoy exploring this beautiful island.

Another stop of our 3 weeks tour of china
On Hainan island , sanya is,a resort beach
First we got contacted before arrival , by a member of hospitality team , Allison ,
She arranged for us a great upgrade with Seaview and terrace
This hotel is magnificent and the staff is extremely attentive
After a,day ( we stayed 5 days )
mostly all greeted us by name
My companion went daily to yoga or taichi
Or special health club assistant
Food is great , room service impeccable
And Allison is a whatsapp away , if needed
Also you get free WiFi and on this island you can connect to whatsapp and gmail

Superb hotel in a lovely tropical location. All staff were as warm as the weather. We loved having cocktails by the pool during our 4 night stay there. Sofia restaurant was really delicious as well.

As a Marriott Ambassador member for nearly 10 years, I am extremely disappointed with my stay at The Ritz-Carlton Sanya.

I have stayed here several times over the years and previously found the property acceptable, but sadly, not anymore. Frankly, I am surprised Marriott continues to allow the Ritz-Carlton brand on this property, especially if it is indeed Marriott-managed.

Property & Condition

The hotel feels tired and neglected. It is obvious the owners are not reinvesting, and the property is simply being milked. The beach, once enjoyable for swimming, is now badly eroded with rocks and stones. What was once great for body surfing is now unsafe.

Service & Staff

Since arrival, I have not met a single staff member who speaks English. Every interaction has been through translation apps. While this may work at a mid-tier property, for a Ritz-Carlton it is completely unacceptable. Hospitality should be about warmth and connection—here it feels robotic and distant.

Check-in was another low point: I arrived late at night, the receptionist had her head on the desk, popped up when I approached, and said simply “passport.” No greeting, no welcome, no acknowledgment of my Ambassador status, and certainly no warmth. I was handed my key and pointed toward the elevator. No welcome amenity in the room either, which is standard at this level.

Club Lounge & Dining

I booked the Club Level expecting Ritz-Carlton standards. Instead, I found the food and beverage offerings mediocre, with limited selections. Drinks are kept in a tiny, dorm-style refrigerator with a broken door—everything is warm. This is embarrassing for a property of this brand.

At breakfast, scrambled eggs required multiple attempts via translation apps before staff finally understood. A simple bilingual menu in English and Mandarin would solve this instantly. On another morning, when I asked for more orange juice, the server picked up my half-full glass to “see what it was,” then placed it back on the table. This is not luxury service.

Value

I am spending over 11,000 RMB for three nights, and the experience is nowhere near worth it. The property is overpriced, under serviced, and simply not representative of the Ritz-Carlton or Marriott standards.

Final Observation

I am not trying to critique for the sake of being critical—I am observing, and I hope someone in Marriott leadership cares. On property, unfortunately, it feels like nobody does.

For foreigners seeking a luxury Ritz-Carlton experience, this is not the place. It is overpriced, poorly serviced, unimpressive, and fails to live up to the brand.

Beautiful hotel, the staff were super friendly and attentive and the food was fabulous. Got to talk to the head chef Stuart, attention is o detail seems to be a speciality at the hotel, we will definitely be back in the near future. The gardens were a real feature on the restaurant terrace with a welcome breeze