The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, Yalong Bay

The Ritz-Carlton Sanya sits on the eastern edge of Yalong Bay in the Ji Yang Qu district of Hainan. Guests reach the sands of Yalong Bay Beach with a ten-minute walk through the property grounds.

This resort is for those who prefer their isolation buffered by high-frequency service. While the beachfront strip is crowded with neighbors, this property keeps the energy internal, leaning on a sprawling pool complex and a dedicated spa rather than the public scene at Yalong Bay Underwater World. It is dressier than the casual surf shacks nearby, and the 24-hour room service is a necessity given how far the hotel sits from the local dining clusters. Choosing this location is a bet that the facility itself will prove more engaging than the surrounding forest park hikes.