Kerzner International builds first resort in China

Kerzner International Holdings Limited, which through its subsidiaries is an international developer and operator of destination resorts, casinos and luxury hotels, has entered into an agreement with Hainan Gezhouba Industrial Company Limited with the assistance of Greentown Hotel Management Co. Ltd., to develop and operate a new One&Only resort on Tufu Bay in Sanya, Hainan, China.

With approximately 180 luxury guest rooms and villas, One&Only Sanya will be located amidst 40-acres of coconut palms and rosewood trees, with views of over half a kilometre of private coastline. This will be One&Only’s first resort in China and is anticipated to open in early 2014.

Created exclusively for the super-luxury resort market, One&Only Resorts are conceived as hallmarks of excellence. Its hallmarks are distinctive style and personality influenced by the local cultures in which the top resorts are located, coupled with the best in hospitality service. The brand has seven properties, including the One&Only Cape Town in South Africa; One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives; One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius; One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai; One&Only Ocean Club in The Bahamas; One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico; and One&Only The Palm in Dubai.

Sol Kerzner, chairman of Kerzner International, says: “Tufu Bay is ideally suited for creating the first One&Only experience in China. The setting is just spectacular and I am very confident the resort will be well received by our many loyal One&Only guests and new guests alike. It feels terrific to be able to make this announcement and get back to doing what we do best – designing and managing world-class luxury resorts.”

Tufu Bay offers views of the South China Sea, which will inform the design of both the public and private spaces of the resort. True to the brand’s heritage, One&Only Sanya will offer a variety of world-class cuisine showcasing regional specialties in restaurants overseen by internationally-acclaimed chefs.

The resort will also house a One&Only Spa, honouring Sanya’s Chinese heritage by utilising ancient Eastern traditions and holistic practices fused with modern spa therapies. In addition, meeting space will be available for bespoke gatherings for business or pleasure purposes.

Like all of the resorts within the collection, One&Only Sanya will place an emphasis on privacy while evoking a ‘sense of place,’ using materials that showcase the natural elements of Hainan. The resort plans to weave pieces of the island’s historical tapestry throughout the resort with the use of original furnishings, fabrics and art crafted by descendants of local tribes. As with all One&Only properties, this resort will also feature innovative programming for families, including the celebrated KidsOnly Club. Guests will also have access to a host of unique sporting and entertainment facilities on-site.

“With so many guests from China already experiencing One&Only and Atlantis resorts worldwide, it made perfect sense for our next resort to be in China,” says Alan Leibman, CEO, Kerzner International. “I am thrilled we were able to partner with such industry leaders as Gezhouba and Greentown. I am very excited about entering the Chinese market – it is the perfect place for One&Only to continue the growth of its brand.”

The Project Design Team is currently in the process of reviewing plans which will be submitted to the local authorities for approval.