Hainan Shi Zhi Resort is an extension of an existing four-star hotel property, borne of the owner’s bid to capture the increasing numbers of high-end leisure travellers coming to Hainan.

The pervading open tropical typology design encourages interaction with nature throughout the property. The master plan introduces the idea of a deep lagoon that links the ocean to the villas and the hotel block, a strategy that takes its cue from the Chinese tradition of ‘borrowing scenery’ (借景). A deep vista is created that enlivens the views from the hotel rooms and creates a waterside ambiance for all the villas. Architecturally modern but still referential to local Chinese vernacular traditions, all hotel rooms and villas are screened with local ‘an mu’ (an wood) harvested from the forest around the site. Each room within the villas has its own private pool and courtyard.

All facilities, including restaurants and the spa were designed out of the same design inspiration to encourage interaction with nature.