Raffles Hotels & Resorts Arrives on Tropical Hainan Island, China

Raffles Hotels & Resorts will expand its collection to 10 hotels with the opening of Raffles Hainan - their second property in China. The luxury resort will open in Clearwater Bay, the new hotspot on the southeast coast of Hainan Island - China's answer to the French Riviera and a rising star in the luxury tourism market.

With a fantastic beachfront location Raffles Hainan will have 299 rooms - the largest in Sanya starting at 80sqm - and 32 villas, all with private balconies and ocean views. A large signature Raffles Spa, restaurants and private events spaces will sit alongside Hainan's homage to the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel Singapore, in tribute to the Hainanese bartender who created the Singapore Sling.

The Clearwater Bay development encompasses the Raffles resort, two championship golf courses designed by US-based Schmidt-Curley Design, deluxe private residences, luxury retail, a cinema complex, yachting clubs and 200-berth marina for sailing and water sports.

Herbert Laubichler-Pichler, General Manager of Raffles Hainan says:

"Raffles Hainan will be one of the most prestigious address on China's popular holiday island as the first luxury opening on Clearwater Bay, the only resort adjoining championship golf courses and with Sanya's largest guestrooms, all with sea-view balconies.  With the addition of Raffles' signature warm and graceful service embodied by the Raffles Butlers, we are setting a new luxury benchmark on the island."

Peter French, President of Raffles Hotels & Resorts adds:

"Drawing on the timeless quality of the flagship Raffles Hotel Singapore, Raffles Hainan continues our commitment to bringing 125 years of heritage and experience in bespoke luxury service to our strategic expansion."

Each of Raffles Hainan's 299 elegant guestrooms and suites will have a contemporary design with locally inspired accents, such as artisan wood furnishings, colourful fabrics and indigenous artworks. These pay homage to the traditional local hill tribes in Hainan and Bali, and bring a sense of place to the interiors.  Each room enjoys magnificent ocean or golf course views from private balconies.

For guests looking for privacy and exclusivity, each of the 32 exquisitely appointed beachfront Private Villas offer a plunge pool, private garden and access to a guests-only deluxe Clubhouse. The crowning jewel is the spectacular Presidential Villa, set over two floors and featuring seven bedrooms and a private swimming pool in a lush garden setting.

Dining is a highlight at Raffles Hainan with four superb restaurants including all-day dining at Desa, Bai Wei Chinese Restaurant, Sapori Italian Restaurant and the al fresco Balinese-style Sing Ken Ken Pool Bar & Grill, set in a limestone cave. The legendary Raffles' Long Bar will also travel to Hainan, a tribute to Ngiam Tong Boon, the Hainanese bartender who created the Singapore Sling.

Raffles Hainan is home to the first Raffles Spa in China, a 1,400 sqm retreat designed to resemble a small Chinese village.  The resort will also offer an outdoor lagoon swimming pool, Fitness Centre, water sports and a dedicated Children's Club.

The beachfront pavilion is a uniquely romantic venue for weddings, banquets and anniversary celebrations and the ballroom can host up to 500 guests for cocktails and 300 guests for banquets. These are complemented by seven multifunctional meeting rooms.

As a special introductory offer, guests at Raffles Hainan can stay three nights for the price of two until 30 September 2013, including a complimentary upgrade to a Grand Ocean View Room, round-trip airport transfers, welcome drink, daily buffet breakfast for two and late checkout until 6pm. Visit raffles.com for reservations and details.