Mission Hills Haikou is the island’s newest resort property. The resort seems to be the first major step to developing the tourism potential of the northern part of Hainan Island.
Haikou is a three-hour car journey from the southern city of Sanya where most of the resorts are based, although this will be reduced to 90 minutes when a high-speed rail link opens later this year.
The resort offers 525 oversized guestrooms that all come with private balconies. Next door is a huge clubhouse with meeting facilities while there is also a good range of F&B outlets. The volcano-themed hotel pool is notable too and more resembles a miniature sea than just a hotel swimming area.
GOLF OPTIONS
The main highlight of Mission Hill Haikou is its golf courses. Each is named after different environments. The Blackstone Course is the best in the selection and will challenge as one of Asia’s leading courses once it is established.
The Stone Outback and Stone Ruins are the other two courses now open, with a further three courses to open in time for the Mission Hills Star Trophy pro am from October 28 to 31. Eventually the resort will have 10 courses available.
The resort will soon open the Hank Haney Golf Academy. Haney has been listed as the second-best coach in the US according to Golf Digest’s 2009 list of “America’s Top 50 Teachers”.
MICE FACILITIES
Mission Hills Haikou is well set-up to host conference groups of up to 800 people. The main facilities are located in the clubhouse with a grand ballroom that can host 800 theatre style, 600 for a banquet and 1,000 for cocktails.
However for 1,000 people the resort’s outdoor spaces would be more suitable for networking events. There are a further five function spaces that can hold from 12 to 300 people in different configurations.
OFF-SITE ATTRACTIONS
Day trips can be made to Shishan Volcanic Cluster National Geopark and Hainan Tropical wildlife Park.
Each night the ‘Impression Haikou’ Cultural Show is held in Haikou City. This open-air stage show is designed by Zhang Yi Mou, the famous Chinese movie director who also organised the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies.