Following a visit to Beijing (see review), my boyfriend, Dave, and I, Natasha decided to visit the island of Hainan in the South China Sea for 7 nights in July.

Based on the recommendations of our local travel agent, Jenny at FreeSanya.com we chose the Mangrove Tree Resort at Yalong Bay near Sanya. This was marketed as a luxury, international, 5 star resort. In reality this resort turned out to be only suitable for and geared towards Chinese tourists, not western tourists.

Upon arrival we were impressed with the beach, hotel and grounds in their Balinese style. We booked an Elegant Seaview Room. We were assigned a room on the right side of the hotel. We noticed a huge hotel construction site next door and voiced our concern but were assured that there was absolutely no construction noise. The room was good sized, nicely furnished with a small sitting area with a couch and table, and a nice bathroom. There was also a balcony with partial sea view.

Being late in the day, after many hours of travel, we were anxious to get some well-needed rest. First negative surprise was that the bed was Chinese style, with no soft mattress. You were basically sleeping on a board! To say it was uncomfortable would be a major understatement.

Second surprise came at the crack of dawn when we were awakened by screeching construction noise.

We went to the front desk and requested another room, and were told to stop by after breakfast.

Breakfast buffet that was included in the price consisted of many Chinese items, but lacked international options. Food wasn’t very good and service was terrible.

When we went back to the front desk we were happy to find out that we were generously upgraded to a 1 bedroom suite, on a high floor on the opposite side of the resort, away from the construction. The suite was lovely and huge, consisting of a spacious living room, bedroom, bathroom, dressing room, 2 large balconies and walls of glass with vast, panoramic views of hotel grounds, beach and sea.

After moving in, we went out to enjoy the beach and pool for a few fun-filled hours. When we returned to our room in the early afternoon we shocked at the temperature. It was boiling hot even though all the Air Conditioning units in the suite have been turned on to maximum levels.

Once again, we called the front desk, and many calls and technician visits later, and our entire afternoon and evening wasted, the A/C wasn’t fixed. The room was unbearably hot, and it was obvious that there was no way we could spend 6 more nights in this environment. Hotel management informed us that local tourists were not concerned with the A/C and didn’t mind the heat.

So, after the second sleepless night on a bed made of boards in unbearable heat, we decided to check out of the Mangrove Tree Resort and move to the Ritz Carlton (see review). Fortunately, our local travel agent was able to arrange for checkout with no penalty and the remainder of our pre-paid amount was applied towards the Ritz.

Even though it is pretty to look at, we do not recommend the Mangrove Tree Resort for western travellers

Stayed for 5 nights in double room, 3rd floor, lake view (never discovered any lake) with 2 adults and 2 children (8+6), which was ok but room was small in comparison to the USD 20 guesthouse rooms we had before. 5* Does not mean softer beds! The shower on the balcony was just fun. The swimmingpool is shallow (1.2 mtr), nice for children, diving not allowed. What disturbed us very much was that the only waterslide available only operates from 3 - 6 PM, although that was what we were told, but Chinese children came in and somehow the waterslide also operates in the morning ??? Childrens playroom, only for toddlers. English of most employees is very poor. Breakfast is ok, lunch menu quite poor (the Hainanese Chicken Rice was tasteless) and very expensive (cappucinno usd 5,50). In the evening no action. Near hotel (10 min. walk) is a plaza with a supermarket, buy your drinks over there, also bigger choice of restaurants. Next time we would choose Horizon Resort (next door: more slides, entertainment for children). Nice beds by pool and on beach. Sea can be quite rough, we had only red flag so no swimming. Beautiful garden and lobby area.
Chinese 5 star rating can not be compared with 5 star rating in other Asian countries like Malyasia, Thailand.

Had dinner in the Thai restaurant on the 1st of March with 5 friends. During dinner the gardeners were spraying insecticde on the plants around the restaurant. Both the smell and the potential for spray drift going on the food was horrible. the insecticide being used was Lorsban.

The room is spacious and had a nice balcony and view of the water. Free internet in the room. We ate at all the restaurants and the food is excellent. It is on the beach and has nice lounges on the beach. The swimming pool is shallow, and not suitable for swimming. Rental of sports equipment is available but a bit expensive, as you might expect. Overall a great vacation.