Help me boost my presence! DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Chengmai Fuli, Hainan

Playing the hotel membership game, the greatest reward is visiting many obscure little places that require zooming in on the map to locate. I often marvel at how frequent travelers' dreams of touring China are being realized with the help of real estate developers. Even more astonishing is how these property owners manage to find such remote corners of the world to build hotels.

The newly checked-in DoubleTree Chengmai takes the "hard-to-find" concept to new heights. Chengmai county itself is already quite off the beaten path, and this hotel is located dozens of kilometers away from the county center in a newly built village by coastal wetlands. Standing proudly at the village entrance as part of a residential real estate project, though only a dozen stories tall, it's already the highest point for miles around.

Such a location dictates that the hotel must embrace seclusion, and it's naturally quiet most days. Thus, they're exceptionally generous with members - no negotiation needed for upgrades to large suites. In this off-season, every space feels vast and empty, with rustling corridor leaves amplifying the tranquility. Perfect for introverts or introverted families seeking undisturbed retreat days.

But solitude comes at a cost - even basic services are scaled back. Welcome cookies canceled, executive lounge benefits reduced to two simple snack meals. The barely-open breakfast buffet is painfully basic - they might as well switch to set meals. Still, they deserve credit for maintaining a members-only menu. With minimal staff, you'll keep seeing the same employees everywhere, like the sole NPC in an escape room reappearing in different scenes - awkward encounters guaranteed.

The upside? You can create your own fun. Enjoy private access to the heated pool (only one open, and only during scorching daylight hours). Visit the neighboring mangrove wetland park to see flamingos - sometimes even free entry. Last year's typhoon damage still scars the roadside, but fresh green shoots promise renewal. Brave the heat to drive 10+ km to Coffee Town - after all, Chengmai is Hainan's coffee heartland. A few nearby restaurants suffice for basic meals; real culinary adventures require trips to the county center or coastal villages.

Final complaints: dated facilities needing maintenance, musty odors from poor ventilation, weak AC struggling against the heat. But at just ¥300/night, these become easy to overlook.

PS: Accessible without a car. Take HSR to Fushan Town Station, then a <¥20 taxi. Or carpool directly from Haikou for under ¥100.

Room details:
Room: 701
Official name: Mangrove Lake View Luxury Suite
Size: 84 sqm

Mattress: King Koil
Linens: Canasin
Living room TV: LG
Bedroom TV: LG
Audio: Bose

Shower/faucets: Kohler
Sinks/bathtub: Kohler
Bedroom toilet: Manual Kohler
Living room toilet: Manual Kohler
Hairdryer: Kinhao
Amenities: Bulk Crabtree & Evelyn

Kettle: Grelide
Coffee machine: Nespresso
Instant coffee: Nescafé
Tea bags: Chali
Water: Pure Water
Minibar: None