Leaders from global architecture firm HOK recently joined colleagues from Atlantis Resorts, Fosun International and Kerzner International to celebrate the grand opening of Atlantis Sanya. The resort represents a new era of world-class hospitality and culinary experiences in Hainan Island, internationally known as the ÒHawaii of China.Ó
ÒWe are delighted to be welcoming Atlantis Sanya into our family as not only the first Atlantis resort in China but also a proud first step into the Asia Pacific region,Ó said Serge Zaalof, COO, Atlantis Resorts and Residences. ÒAtlantis Sanya marks the next generation of Atlantis resorts, offering unrivalled family entertainment, world-class culinary choice and unforgettable guest experiences.Ó
HOK’s modern design for the 48-story building features 1,314 guestrooms overlooking the South China Sea.Ê With 21 restaurants and ample entertainment, the resort also includes one of the world’s largest open-air aquariums, educational exhibits, and a family-friendly waterpark with both fresh and saltwater recreational pools.
ÒInspired by waves crashing against the island’s rocky coast, we designed the Atlantis tower to rise in two fin-like forms that are joined to create a dramatic massing, Ò noted Greg Cranford, senior principal of design at HOK. ÒWe conceived the building podium, including the main lobby rotunda, as a series of spiralling vortexes of water streaming away from the towers.Ó
A 78-foot-high lantern caps the tower, pulling the rhythm of the tower’s continuous linear balconies up to its peak. The curtain wall and balcony rails incorporate a waved pattern that appears to send ripples up the building, reinforcing the fluid nature of the design. The design team incorporated the signature Atlantis Bridge Suite into the penthouse level of the tower, reinterpreting the Atlantis brand’s classic tradition in a modern way.
To maximize the guest experience, HOK designed the porte-cochere and lobby reception area on an axis with views of the waterpark and ocean. Pushing back the building’s core to the arrival side introduces a subtle bend in the plan and allows more guestrooms to face the beach and ocean. The podium includes more than 320,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and conference space.
HOK’s Hospitality practice creates design solutions that bring long-term value to owners while welcoming guests with exceptional experiences. Current and recent projects include MGM Grand Sanya, Topwin Center and InterContinental Beijing, Le Meridien Hangzhou and St. Regis Hotel & Residences, Belgrade.
With offices around the globe, HOK creates a better world through the design of buildings and spaces that respond to the needs people and the environment. HOK designers are rooted in technical excellence, driven by imagination and focused on a solitary goal: to deliver solutions that inspire clients and communities.
