AB Concept unveils design for China’s first Rosewood Resort at Sanya

Posted in News on 16 October, 2017

Hong Kong-based design studio, AB Concept, is proud to unveil the design for China’s first Rosewood Resort in Sanya, which opened its doors in August. Conceived around a unique balance of relaxation and excitement at the exclusive Haitang Bay at Sanya, the resort sets a new standard for luxury hospitality in one of the most popular vacation destinations in China.

At the southernmost tip of Hainan Island, China, Ed Ng and Terence Ngan, co-founders of AB Concept, who acted as the lead design team for the project, celebrate the tranquility of the South China Sea serving as the inspiration behind Rosewood’s first ever resort in mainland China. The duo make a departure from traditional resort expectations, introducing fresh themes and motifs with an overall design that is intended to reflect an intimate home with comfort and tranquility. Ed Ng said of the project, “there is no extravagant lobby, nor are there any exaggerated shapes and colours. Our goal was to create a place to connect modern city dwellers back to nature with organic shapes and details for an intimate and relaxing experience whereby guests can truly get away from it all.”

On arrival, guests are welcomed with wraparound views of the South China Sea contrasted by soft shades of taupe and delicate cream. The lobby extends into a lounge area and tea bar, complete with plush seating and shelves displaying curated books and artwork. Art is a focal point of the property and is prominent throughout.  In the lobby, several striking pieces of artwork adorn the walls; the first is a seven-metre-high abstract floral oil painting on canvas by Argentine-based artist Carlos Arnaiz, who is renowned for his poetic representations that celebrate the natural growth and evolution of plants. There is also a large pink bear piece by Byun Dae-Young, intended to act as a surprise and delight for guests.

Connecting the 14th floor reception and the elevator foyer is a Mahogany Whale Tail by West Virginia US-based artist, Thomas Givens, which displays a powerful force as if diving into the floor. Other notable art works include a remarkable Wire Octopus by Thomas Hill in one of the hotel’s restaurants, EAST Kitchen, which is suspended on a wall. All of the art in the hotel is intended to transport guests through culture and nature, as each of the pieces celebrates wildlife native to the local surroundings.

The 246 guestrooms and suites encompass a similar private residence-style intimacy as the lobby, accented with soft neutrals and designed to emulate a more personal and comfortable space. Each room features expansive sea views with balconies and the 46 ground floor suites feature a private terrace with a plunge-pool, garden, barbeque area and a massage area, encouraging guests to enjoy the therapeutic qualities of a direct sea breeze. Keeping in tune with the nature-inspired design philosophy, the resort incorporates tribal totems, wood accents, and soft tones of grey and blue.

Rosewood Sanya is home to five restaurants and lounges throughout the property. The Fishmonger; the resort’s destination fish restaurant, offers guests an authentic experience of dining in a traditional fish market with reclaimed wood panels and exposed pipes throughout. Guests hand-select their own ingredients and chef prepares their selection at either the grill, raw or stir fry stations.  The resort’s all-day dining restaurant, EAST Kitchen, features soft shades of grey, blue and orange, where guests are treated to panoramic sea views to complement their Southeast Asian meal. The Chop House is the resort’s steak restaurant and infuses casual coastal dining with large sliding door shutters that open up to the pool for an indoor/outdoor dining experience with views of the sky above.

Versatility permeates throughout the various function venues offering an array of spaces for different events. Rich, buttery textures that fill the ballroom adds elegance, whilst the sophisticated meeting facilities profit from the expansive sea views. The private dining room, called The Pavilion, is inspired by Tuscany, where Ed and Terence sought to achieve a speakeasy-style dining experience with an open facing kitchen and nods to an intimate wine cellar.  Moulded tin ceilings reflect the warm natural lighting that floods the space during the day and creates a gourmet ambiance in the evening. The feeling is such that guests feel as though they are entertaining in one’s own home.