coastal calm

Reinterpreted indigenous influences, strong and light elements, tall and low spaces, and abundant greenery set the stage for a relaxed holiday in the Sanya Wellness Retreat by Neri&Hu Design and Research Office.

- Luo Jingmei

Sanya’s sub-tropical weather and beautiful beaches make it a popular destination for tourists. In recent years, many new hotels have popped up to meet the needs of the location’s increasing popularity. One of them is the Sanya Wellness Retreat, designed by Shanghai-based Neri&Hu Design and Research Office.

The firm’s founders, Rossana Hu and Lyndon Neri, harnessed their personal memories of Sanya in creating the hotel. “Rossana was born in Kaoshiung and I was born in Cebu, so we both love beaches and take every opportunity during family vacation to find resorts to go to as a means to rejuvenate and recharge. When we both moved to Shanghai 20 years ago [from the States], the closest island resort was Hainan so naturally, we took our kids there during school holidays,” shares Lyndon Neri.

There, they became familiar with the island’s natural features and indigenous culture. “The Li minority tribe culture and local craftsmanship were not only interesting but also has its own strong identity. With that ingrained deeply in our psyche, we made sure to include them as part of our concept when we were asked to do this project in Sanya,” Neri adds.

inspired by local culture

The team conceived a simple datum for the architecture: two interlocking L-shaped blocks surrounding a central water courtyard, bringing a sense of the water deep into the plan. The programmatic division was inspired by the ancient Chinese walled city that is elevated on a heavy plinth and typically surrounded for water for protection.