I have been to Hainan twice and the beach where the Sheraton Sanya is is great. Very nice place to relax.

I stayed one night in Hai Kou and never found it to be a tourist resort. More like a city in China. Never got to beach there but Sanya is the place for holiday. It's where most people take holiday.

We are going to Hainan late Aug. While planning our holiday I red forums and became convinced that Sanya is better for a beach holiday.

Sanya, of course.

Having lived in Hainan for almost 2 years, I will agree with earlier posts that haikou is really just a capital city, and Sanya is the (over-rated) tourist/beach resort.

I have written a review for haikou crown plaza hotel on here if you are considering staying there.

I have stayed at both Sheraton's and currently live on Hainan Island in Boao. I LOVE the Sheraton in Haikou because it is smaller and less crowded. If you compare prices it is also cheaper. However, it is quite far from the airport.

The Sheraton in Sanya is massive and feels impersonal. Both are beautiful resorts that are located far from anything else. You may feel disappointed that you have come so far and still cannot get around the island easily.

A very nice alternative is Boao on the east side of the Island. It has the best of everything without being over run with noisy tourists.