JW Marriott Hotel Sanya Dadonghai Bay

James ZHEN, Miss Sweet & Selena in the executive club, and Miss Fay at Moto all went out of their way to help me. Selena was also efficient and useful when I was planning things, and I really enjoyed the Executive Club, especially the generous 5 PM happy hour. Breakfast gets crowded, so going before 9 AM is a good idea. The JW Marriott Dadonghai Sanya has fantastic sea views from the room and a great spot for water sports and trying local restaurants. Many nearby places seem geared toward international visitors, particularly Russians. It’s a busy, large hotel, but it runs smoothly. I’d happily recommend it, and a mid-week visit may be a little quieter.

The executive lounge was a real letdown. The food was cheap and bad, and the afternoon snack served every day from 2:30 to 4:30 was peanut butter and jelly on stale bread, with barely any filling. Seriously? The lounge staff also didn’t keep things considerate: kids ran around loudly, and some guests played movies at full volume. As an English speaker, I had trouble communicating here. I’ve been to more than 100 countries and usually stay at Marriott hotels, including in Russia, without this issue. This was the first Marriott where communication was a problem.

The service was good, and the hotel has the amenities I’d expect from a five-star place of this stature. Still, the room condition was well below standard, so I’d suggest choosing somewhere newer. I booked a Deluxe Double Room for two nights and am writing this on night one. The room already looks visibly worn. The day curtain has a tear that’s been stitched up but is still in use, and there are obvious scratches on the floor. I also found a torn pillowcase that’s still being used, and the bathroom showerhead fitting is loose. I hope I don’t spot any more wear and tear.

The kids club is large, which makes this a nice place for families. There isn’t a nearby sandy beach, though. We arrived after 2 AM because our flight was delayed, and the welcome was poor. The night reception staff didn’t speak English and gave us very little information. Even as a platinum member, I didn’t feel welcomed.