Sanya, Hainan Island⊠the Hawaii of China and a top tourist destination for travelers around the world to enjoy the resort cityâs stunning beaches, tropical forests, picturesque architecture, and more. Since the Mandarin Oriental opened in 2009, it sparked a movement that brought many legendary properties to the Hainan tourism market, including Sanya EDITION, Atlantis Sanya, The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, and many other ultra-luxury resorts.||As someone who mostly stays with InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), I had the chance to try one of the most expensive resorts in Sanya: Capella Tufu Bay, Hainan. Taking a step away from IHG, I did not know much about Capella or its brand profile until visiting the Tufu Bay property on short notice. There were some pleasant surprises that boosted the brandâs reputation, but also disappointments with the hotelâs consistency. I want to give an honest assessment of staying at a hotel that charges at least „2,400 RMB ($337 USD) per night for its entry-level rooms.||With that said, here is my review of Capella Tufu Bay, Hainan:||Pre-Arrival||My father had a business trip to Sanya, with his company booking a sizable portion of the rooms at Capella. He invited me to join him and try the property, which opened in 2019. Once I confirmed I was coming, my father called to add my name to the guest list so the hotel would be aware of my arrival.||Our stay was from September 18â20. I stayed for one night (the 18th), while my father remained for the full two nights.||Arrival||After a pleasant afternoon renting an e-bike and exploring Yalong Bay, I took a 40-minute cab ride to Capella. Upon arrival, the bellman greeted me and took my luggage straight to the assigned room. A Guest Relations Officer then escorted me through the grand reception area, featuring an impressive floor-to-ceiling fountain display.||Several Guest Relations Officers and a manager welcomed me at the desk, ensuring I was accommodated with the room key, a map of the resort, and details about the facilities. From there, a butler drove me by buggy to Room 1501.||Oceanfront King Room||The company booked us the 88 sqm (947 sqft) Oceanfront King Room, marketed at the time for „3,148 ($443 USD) per night. Located in the main building, The Manor, the room consisted of a spacious bedroom/living area, a bathroom and closet section, and a balcony overlooking Tufu Bay.||- Bedroom: King bed with grey linens, bedside desks and speaker, sofa seating, oversized desk, flatscreen TV, and complimentary minibar.|- Bathroom: Double vanity sinks, rainforest shower, freestanding bathtub, TV, and full closet wall with robes, slippers, and essentials. The Eau De Magnolia bath amenities were a personal highlight.|- Balcony: Multiple seating options with panoramic views of Tufu Bay and, in the distance, Haitang Bay and Atlantis Sanya.||The room design drew from local architectural influences and Capellaâs signature minimalist, tranquil style.||Problems with the Room||Unfortunately, the condition of Room 1501 left much to be desired. Since the propertyâs 2019 opening, there has been no major refurbishment, and signs of wear and tear were obvious.||Examples of wear and tear:||- Scratched and stained oversized desk.|- Corroding wooden stand behind the bathtub.|- Frayed carpet with permanent scuff marks under the bed.|- Curtains with loose threads hanging on the floor.|- Water-stained marble surfaces, particularly the vanity sinks.||Housekeeping and functionality issues:||- Broken USB-C sockets on both sides of the bed.|- Electronic toilet remote unusable due to dead batteries.|- Hair strands left on the sofa pillow and above the bed.|- Dust on multiple surfaces, including leather containers and wooden sills.||To make matters worse, I had to sleep on a rollaway bed while my father used the king bed. The extra bed was too short and uncomfortable, leading to a poor nightâs sleep.||Thankfully, Housekeeping Manager Luke and Duty Manager Spencer responded to my complaints professionally. They addressed several issues, provided compensation in the form of dinner at the Thai restaurant Sabai Sabai, and even gifted me resort souvenirs. Their kindness stood out despite the problems.||Resort Tour||Guest Relations Officer Ouyang kindly gave me a buggy tour of the resort, showing me:||- Outdoor swimming pool|- Sabai Sabai (Thai) and The Dempsey (Western) restaurants|- Spa facilities|- Indoor pool and fitness center|- The Living Room Bar|- Silk Room all-day dining restaurant|- Villa accommodations||Dinner at Sabai Sabai||At Spencerâs suggestion, I used my RMB 500 F&B credit at the Thai restaurant Sabai Sabai. I ordered:||- Prawn spring rolls|- Thai green chicken curry|- Stir-fried spinach|- Jasmine rice|- Coconut panna cotta|- Fresh Hainan coconut||Every dish was excellent, and the waiter provided attentive and personalized service, even adjusting spice levels to match preferences. The ambiance was reminiscent of an upscale Thai seaside restaurant.||Fatherâs Buffet Dinner||Meanwhile, my father attended the companyâs dinner buffet at The Silk. He reported a disappointing experience: limited selection, lukewarm dishes, and poorly executed soups (one tasting more like salted water). For a luxury resort, even a contracted buffet should be properly prepared.||Breakfast Buffet||Breakfast at The Silk Road offered an extensive selection: pastries, Chinese dishes, Western items, fruits, and drinks. My choices included truffle onsen egg, beef sausage, hash browns, Hainan Baoluo noodles, fruits, coconut water, and watermelon juice.||While variety was impressive, quality was inconsistent:||- The truffle egg lacked truffle flavor.|- The beef sausage was dry and almost inedible.||On the bright side, the dining room atmosphere was serene and beautifully designed, with natural light, tasteful furniture, and a peaceful ambiance despite its large size.||Service||Despite shortcomings in the product itself, the service was exceptional. Staff were consistently professional, warm, and attentive. Some junior managers performed with the polish of senior directors at IHG properties.||A suggestion: staff should wear name badges or carry business cards, as many provided excellent service, yet I was unable to note their names.||At departure, I met with Front Office Manager Lilly Hu and Duty Manager Yilei Zhang, who graciously listened to my feedback. Lilly even arranged a complimentary transfer to my next hotel, the Kimpton Aqueos Resortâan appreciated gesture.||Conclusion||Was the Oceanfront King Room worth nearly „3,000 per night? No. For the state the room was in, the price is far too high. The resortâs prime may have been in 2019 when everything was new, but without renovation and stricter attention to detail, the value today is lacking.||While the service team is outstanding, the disconnect between excellent service and poor room condition/food quality makes for an inconsistent overall experience.||To finish, I have a message for the previous General Manager at the Stunning Amanyangyun Christophe Olivro:||I write this review from the Kimpton Aqeos, a gem of a property that costs much less than the Capella, and delivers excellent service, rooms, and food.||As a guest, paying „2,300+ for a room in such condition as described is unreasonable. High prices mean high expectations, especially for a brand that advertises itself as prestigious. What I saw was somewhat the opposite. ||The staff cannot be faultedâthey were exceptional. But to truly support their efforts, the resort urgently needs investment in room renovations and a renewed focus on F&B quality. ||Capella Tufu Bay is a magnificent property in spirit, but at present, it fails to deliver the consistency expected of an...
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