All-Inclusive Fun Activities at Club Med Sanya China May 2017

Located on the sun-drenched southern tip of China's tropical Hainan Island, this city truly lives up to its reputation as the only tropical destination along the nation's vast coastline. Stepping off the plane, you're immediately greeted by a wave of warm, humid air scented with distant blossoms and the sight of swaying palm trees – a welcome escape, especially during the winter months for visitors from colder regions like Northern China or Russia, for whom Sanya is a hugely popular retreat (Dadong Hai, or 大东海, is particularly known for its Russian visitors!).




Sanya is a booming tourist hub, offering a fantastic array of experiences across its various bays and islands. You can find everything from upscale hotels clustered in areas like Yalong Bay, known for its luxurious resorts, to natural wonders like Wuzhizhou Island, famous for its vibrant coral reefs and being a prime destination for scuba diving, surfing, and other thrilling water sports. The region is packed with opportunities for adventure, whether you're interested in snorkeling in clear waters, racing across the waves on a jet ski, or hiking through lush rainforests. While tourists arrive in every season, the peak visiting period generally kicks off from October 1st and lasts through the end of winter, as people flock here to trade snow for sunshine. While the water in Sanya Wan (beautiful at night!), Yalong Bay, and Dadonghai are generally clean enough for a refreshing swim, those seeking truly unspoiled, natural scenery might want to venture further afield to Wuzhizhou Island or explore areas further north along the coast.





For our recent getaway to this tropical paradise, we chose to experience the renowned all-inclusive concept at Club Med Sanya, located right on Hainan Island. From the moment we arrived, the whole atmosphere of the club was incredibly warm, friendly, and inclusive. It genuinely felt less like checking into a hotel and more like being welcomed into one big, happy family – which, as we learned, is the signature magic of the Club Med experience, fostered by their unique GOs (Gentle Organizers) concept.



While it's true that the facility itself isn't brand new, any sign of age or wear is completely overshadowed and made up for by the absolute dedication, energy, and wonderful spirit of the GOs, the Club Med staff. They are truly the heart and soul of the resort – a diverse, energetic, and multilingual team always on hand with genuine smiles, ready to lead activities, chat with guests during meals, perform in the evening shows, and generally make sure you feel welcomed, entertained, and well taken care of from morning till night.




We spent most of our time fully immersed within the "village," taking part in the myriad of included activities and enjoying the resort's facilities. Because of this, we got to know lots of the GOs personally, and they made a huge difference in our experience. They were attentive, encouraging, and their passion for making sure guests have a good time is infectious!





The resort boasts a beautiful, very wide, and spacious beach, perfect for leisurely strolls with the sand between your toes or simply relaxing on a comfortable sun lounger under the shade of a palm tree, listening to the gentle lapping of the waves. The expanse meant it never felt overly crowded, even during busier periods.




The large main pool area is another central hub of activity and relaxation. It features a convenient graduated entrance, making it easy to step right into the cool water, and two fun water slides that provide splashes and laughs (though be sure to check their specific operating hours!). A definite highlight for adults was the swim-up bar – nothing beats enjoying a refreshing tropical drink without having to leave the comfort of the pool! For families with younger children, the resort also offers a fantastic graduated pool with a shallow, sandy area; it's like a safe, miniature beach right by the main pool, perfect for little ones to play and splash in.




Dining at Club Med was consistently good, with a wide variety of options available, primarily served buffet style in the main restaurant(s), offering plenty to explore at each meal. As expected given the location and the all-inclusive nature encouraging local flavor, the cuisine was heavily focused on delicious, fresh Chinese dishes and an abundance of tempting seafood options, allowing us to sample authentic tastes of Hainan and beyond. However, there were always reliable international and Western options available, catering to different palates and ensuring there was always something satisfying. The abundance of choices, especially the local flavors presented so accessibly, provided us with a wonderful chance to step outside our culinary comfort zone and try plenty of new and exciting things – many of which were delightful surprises!





Spending most of our time within the Club Med village meant we fully immersed ourselves in the resort lifestyle and the constant stream of included activities offered daily by the GO team – from various sports lessons (like sailing, kayaking, or fitness classes) and friendly tournaments to unique cultural workshops, engaging games, and lively evening entertainment and themed shows put on by the GOs and guests. This constant stream of shared experiences, coupled with the resort's naturally social and welcoming atmosphere, facilitated by the ever-present GOs, made making new friends incredibly easy and felt like a natural, enriching part of the vacation. Striking up conversations at the bar, joining a group for a game, or sharing a table at dinner led to meeting fascinating people from different backgrounds and cultures. This focus on connection and the opportunity to easily meet and interact with fellow travelers from around the world, facilitated by the GOs' social energy, is truly the part of Club Med I like the most. It transforms a vacation into a shared, communal, and incredibly fun-filled experience.




Our tropical getaway to Sanya, staying at Club Med, was a wonderful experience. The combination of Hainan's beautiful tropical setting, the resort's comfortable facilities, delicious food, engaging activities, and most importantly, the incredibly warm and friendly atmosphere created by the GOs and fellow guests, made for a truly memorable and fun-filled vacation. It's a place where you arrive as a guest and quickly leave feeling like part of the family, with new friends and great memories.