GS Design has completed the Sumei Skyline Coast Boutique Hotel in Sanya, China, in an area popular with tourists. The firm handled both the architecture and the interiors, and gave the whole building a minimalist white finish inspired by the blue sea and its breaking waves.
Arches on the beachfront
The hotel stands right on the beach. Its white exterior is broken up by arches of different sizes and by glass railings along the balconies.
Water in the shared spaces
The lounge contains the reception, seating and a shallow water feature whose outline follows the winding coastline. On the roof, a second gathering space has another shallow pool that works as a mirror for the sky. Stone steps lead down to a sunken seating area, and built-in benches and an arch installation create a spot that guests use for photographs.
Between these spaces, walkways with high ceilings and geometric details lead guests through the building.
The swimming pool and spa areas bring colour into an otherwise white scheme. One pool has an infinity edge facing the ocean, and there is also a sunken hot tub.
Rooms that differ from one another
The geometric language carries on into the guest rooms, which do not follow a single layout. Some have arched ceilings and bathtubs framed by the windows, while others have skylights or circular windows.
As a general point, a single colour used throughout a building lets light, shadow and form do most of the work, and makes small accents such as water or a pool stand out more clearly.
Project credits
- Project: Sumei Skyline Coast Boutique Hotel, Sanya, China
- Architecture, interiors and furnishings: GS Design
- Design directors: Liangchao Li, Yuanman Huang
- Furnishing director: Yu Feng
- Design team: Chao Li, Zigeng Luo
- Photography: Ao Xiang
- Source: Contemporist