IHG Hotels & Resorts will expand its luxury portfolio in China’s Hainan region under a new two hotel agreement with China Duty Free Group. Regent Sanya Haitang Bay is slated to open in 2026 in what is dubbed the “Hawaii of China”.
The partnership between IHG and China Duty Free Group will also include a brand-new Hotel Indigo Sanya Haitang Bay.
Regent Sanya Haitang Bay will feature 317 rooms, including 10 private villas, while The Hotel Indigo Sanya Haitang Bay will house 175 rooms. The new development is situated close to the InterContinental Sanya Haitang Bay Resort and will bolster IHG’s brand portfolio in the region. At present, IHG has 12 hotels in operation in Hainan and 17 under development, spanning a range of distinctive brands.
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Situated close to Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex, the two new hotels will help transform the Haitang Bay area into a world-class tourist and leisure resort by offering distinctive guest experiences.
China’s 14th Five-Year Plan has laid out a blueprint to develop the Hainan province into an international hub for tourism and shopping. Specifically, it called for accelerated development of tourism and commerce, as well as the introduction of top global hotel brands, so as to bring the hotel sector in line with international standards. IHG has played an active role in contributing to this blueprint with a growing portfolio of brands and hotels in Hainan.
Designed by renowned architect Ole Scheeren, the development is conceived as a “vertical oasis” that integrates hotel buildings with commercial premises. The main building is comprised of distinctive floating boxes with rippled curtain walls, whose sweeping facade hugs the coastline. Meanwhile, the hotels’ vertical garden blends in seamlessly with the guest rooms.
This vertical arrangement of boxes merges to form a window on Haitang Bay, offering guests unobstructed sea views and hanging gardens. Scheeren’s architectural concept combines eco-friendly design features with plenty of local character to create a next-generation resort that blends harmoniously into its surroundings.
“IHG sees bright prospects in Hainan and hopes to harness consumption trends in the region,” said Daniel Aylmer, Managing Director, IHG Greater China. “By joining forces with a strong partner like China Duty Free Group, we hope to tap both international and domestic consumption, capitalise on regional strengths, and further grow our geographical footprint. The addition of the Regent and Hotel Indigo properties will create a more immersive stay experience for a new generation of travellers.”
Commenting on the partnership with IHG, Peng Hui, Chairman of China Tourism Group Duty Free Corporation Limited, said: “This will be a win-win partnership that leverages strengths from both sides, including IHG’s outstanding operating expertise and powerful system to form a complementary business ally. As an integral part of a luxury tourism and duty-free shopping complex, the two hotels promise to meet the increasing lifestyle needs of today’s guests.”