A feature from the IAGTO Directory 2013

Starwood Hainan Golf Safari, China

Starwood Hainan Golf Safari, ChinaPlay some of the best golf courses in the south and east of

China’s tropical Hainan Island and stay at luxury Sheraton hotelsHainan Island is the most southerly part of China and its tropical climate allows golf to be played year-round.

A three-day Starwood Hainan Golf Safari combines golf on top-quality courses with a stay at three Sheraton properties, and an opportunity to extend your stay and add more golf.

Shenzhou Peninsula

The Hainan Golf Safari encompasses two days on the beautiful, untouched Shenzhou Peninsula in the Wanning region, on the east coast of the island, and one day in Sanya, the international resort on Hainan’s southern tip.

On the first two days of the safari, golfers can stay at either the Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort or the Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula to play The Dunes, a 36-hole masterpiece that features two seaside courses carved out of the native sand dunes on the natural peninsula, right on the hotels’ doorstep.

The Dunes has been thoughtfully designed by internationally-renowned Tom Weiskopf to make the most of the distinctive geography and dramatic beauty of this unique location – from the rugged coastal dunes to the strong, craggy boulders. It comprises the West and East Courses, which can be combined to form a separate Composite Course, together with an additional five practice holes.

The courses present golfers with mature trees, natural waterways, dunes, seaside vegetation, gentle elevation changes and spectacular ocean views along with the majestic rock outcrops. In the words of Tom Weiskopf: “The consistent wisps of wind from the South China Sea and the refreshing sounds of the water breaking along the coastline rocks on the seaside holes will surely leave an everlasting impression to each golfer’s journey.”

Starwood Hainan Golf Safari, China

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Golf room at the Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort

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Starwood Hainan Golf Safari, China

Located in Shenzhou Peninsula’s Festival Bay and facing the South China Sea, the Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort features 308 capacious and comfortable guest rooms and suites, each with its own beautiful ocean view.

The hotel provides a variety of gourmet choices: Feast, which features the freshest international and local ingredients; authentic Cantonese food in Yue, the hotel’s fine dining Chinese restaurant; and, on the lobby floor, the South Seas Terrace – an ideal place to chill out with a wide range of wines and cocktails in a comfortable setting.

Shine Spa for Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort offers five signature treatments by Spanish cosmetics producer Germaine de Capuccini, including a massage, facial, body treatment, manicure/pedicure and a treatment for two – to help guests find their glow. The facilities include 12 elegant treatment rooms set amid tropical lush gardens.

Opened in December 2011, the Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula is the first Four Points by Sheraton resort in Greater China and combines tropical gardens with funky and contemporary architecture styles. The hotel features 338 guest rooms and suites, and most rooms have a beautiful sea view.

The Eatery, featuring a wide range of Western and Asian favourites, is fun and big on value. Sample tasty grills at the beach-front Brazilian BBQ restaurant, Casa Churrasco, and immerse into an all-night festivity with the live band. Relax with a selection of ice cold beers from the Best Brews beer programme in Jive after a long day at the beach, playing golf or sightseeing.

Golfers can extend their stay with an Unlimited Golf Package at the Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort, from RMB 1,100 per person per night. The package features accommodation with breakfast in a Deluxe Room, one day with unlimited rounds at The Dunes, including all day green fee, first 18 holes caddie and buggy fee. Options for non-golfing companions include beginner’s or advanced golf lesson or a 90-minute signature spa session. It also includes transportation between the hotel and Wanning train station and between the hotel and The Dunes. A Comfort Golf Getaway Package at the Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula costs from RMB975 pppn and includes unlimited golf at The Dunes with caddies and buggies for the first 18 holes, shuttle transportation and accommodation with breakfast in a Comfort Room.

The Dunes West course

Rear view of the Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort

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Starwood Hainan Golf Safari, China

Sanya

The third day of the Hainan Golf Safari is spent in Sanya, in the far south of the island. Golf here is at Yalong Bay Golf Club, a tour de force by American master-designer Robert Trent Jones that has hosted several international professional golf tournaments.

The course concept for the initial 18 holes was designed to create a links land championship resort course. It is dotted with 98 deadly bunkers and streaked with a winding river. Each fairway has five tee boxes and with its large stretches of grass, the course, shaped like a dragon’s claw, is hemmed in by adjacent green hills and beautiful Yalong Bay, all combining to form a beautiful landscape.

The Sheraton Sanya Resort, overlooking the clear waters of the sun-kissed South China Sea in the heart of the world-class Yalong Bay resort district, is situated directly opposite the magnificent 18-hole Yalong Bay Golf Club and sets new standards for luxury resort accommodation and facilities in mainland China’s most exotic tropical resort location. It commands a prime beachfront location, with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters providing an excellent sanctuary for the abundant marine wildlife and a wide-range of recreational activities.

Approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Sanya Phoenix International Airport, the resort offers 511 tastefully-appointed guestrooms including 49 suites and five villas, all rooms providing the ultimate in comfort and luxury, and commanding spectacular vistas of Yalong Bay, lush tropical gardens and mountain scenery or the golf course. This is accompanied by a selection of four restaurants, five bars, a night club and 24-hour room service. Mandara Spa, the finest in the destination, features a beauty salon and a variety of treatments to relieve stress, pamper the body and calm the mind.

In addition to the Hainan Golf Safari, golfers can also indulge in a Golf & Spa Package at the resort. Costing from RMB2,455 per room per night, it includes daily accommodation with breakfast, round-trip Sanya airport or train station transfer, welcome drink, complimentary return golf course shuttle, and one round of 18 holes at Yalong Bay Golf Club or Yalong Bay Sun Valley Golf Club (with green fee, caddie and golf buggy fee plus clubhouse facility fee), as well as three 60-minute or two 90-minute treatments at Mandara Spa.

Adapted from copy supplied by Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort, Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula and Sheraton Sanya Resort

Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula ResortTel: +86 898 6253 8868www.sheraton.com/shenzhoupeninsula

Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhou PeninsulaTel: +86 898 6253 8838www.fourpoints.com/shenzhoupeninsula

Sheraton Sanya ResortTel: +86 898 8855 8115 www.sheraton.com/sanya

Yalong Bay Golf Club© P

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Cover Photo: Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort***** • www.terre-blanche.com

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