Hong Kong-based studio AB Concept has unveiled the design for China’s first Rosewood Resort, a 246-key development that opened in Sanya’s Haitang Bay in August.

Located on Hainan Island, the resort has been designed by Ed Ng and Terence Ngan, co-founders of AB Concept, and is inspired by the tranquility of the South China Sea.

Encompassing a private residence-style, the hotel’s guestrooms and suites are accented with soft neutrals, and feature balconies with sea views. The 46 ground-floor suites come with private terraces and plunge-pools, as well as garden, barbeque and massage areas. In keeping with the nature-inspired design philosophy, the resort includes tribal totems, wood accents, and colour palettes of grey and blue.

Complete with plush seating and shelves displaying curated books and artwork, the hotel lobby extends into a lounge area and tea bar. Artworks act as a focal point in the space, with pieces including a 7m high abstract canvas painting by Argentine-based artist Carlos Arnaiz; a large pink bear piece by Byun Dae-Young; and Mahogany Whale Tail by West Virginia’s Thomas Givens, which celebrates wildlife native to the local surroundings.

Rosewood Sanya is home to five restaurants and lounges, including The Fishmonger, a destination fish restaurant offering a traditional market experience with interiors featuring reclaimed wood panels, exposed pipes, alongside hand-selected ingredients.

In line with the hotel’s interior theme, the all-day culinary offering East Kitchen features soft shades of grey, blue and orange, as well a Wire Octopus, a suspended piece of artwork by Thomas Hill. Elsewhere, steak restaurant The Chop House infuses casual coastal dining with large sliding shutters that open onto the pool area.

Additional facilities include a ballroom, meeting spaces with ocean vistas, and a private dining room, The Pavilion. Inspired by Tuscany, Ng and Ngan have sought to achieve a speakeasy-style dining experience at the dining venue, with an open facing kitchen, moulded tin ceilings and an intimate wine cellar.

Ed Ng comments: “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.”

www.abconcept.net