Fairmont Sanya Haitang Bay

The Fairmont hotels, aesthetically speaking, are a fairly conservative lot, but they’ve got an eye for classic elegance — from the regal European inspiration of the Canadian railway hotels to the Southeast Asian contemporary-luxe style of the Fairmont Sanya Haitang Bay. The setting, on the south coast of China’s well-traveled Hainan Island, is idyllic, and the views are picturesque, taking in Wuzhizhou Island and the limitless seascape beyond.

With 523 rooms and suites it’s practically a village unto itself, complete with a kilometer-long salt-water canal winding its way through the property — a dragon boat ferries guests from check-in to their accommodations. The rooms and suites themselves are typically luxe, with plenty of space to spread out in and an interior-design style that makes generous use of the wood and stone construction that’s native to the region.

Meanwhile, the restaurants include an all-day Southeast Asian café, a Spanish-style grill, and Yuen Court, which combines Cantonese and Hainanese flavors. Along with the spa are no fewer than three swimming pools — one of which features a poolside lounge, and the outdoor deck at the Ocean Lounge is just about as pleasant as it gets.