IF those hot-spring resorts which simply provided hot water failed to meet your needs and left you with a pallid memory, the newly opened Ocean Spring Resort in Zhuhai is probably the place for you.
The 2.2-billion-yuan (US$275 million) resort which opened in late January has 60 hot-spring pools, two five-star hotels, a marina featuring gourmet restaurants and boutiques, a theater, a theme park, a fitness club and even a health center providing various checkup deals for holidaymakers.
Owned by China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Ltd., the company which developed Shenzhen’s Splendid China and Window of the World, the 40-square-kilometer resort promises visitors a holiday to remember.
Around 1.7 million people had visited the resort by the end of July, yielding sales revenues of 200 million yuan.
As big as it is, the opening of the resort only represents the first phase of development. Coming soon is a golf course with a golf hotel, while the third phase will feature residential villas for those who fancy golf and hot springs as the ideal lifestyle.
Hot spring
Autumn is an ideal season for hot springs. The best way to refresh yourself after a two-hour journey from Shenzhen to the resort is to soak yourself in one of the 60 hot-spring pools with a marvelous sea view.
Don’t worry if you arrive in the evening as it stays open until 10 p.m., to ensure every guest can catch a hot-spring bath before going to bed.
The hot springs come from under the seabed with temperatures of up to 82 degrees Celsius. Don’t forget to try the authentic Oriental massages and Turkish spa next to the hot-spring pools, where you can still get a magnificent view of the South China Sea through the French windows.
Surfers can also try riding the waves at the pools which have advanced wave-making techniques, recreating an ocean coast.
Breakfast on the balcony
Burnt the midnight oil by singing karaoke, playing cards or chatting? What can be better than having your breakfast on the balcony in the morning sunshine?
Costing 50 yuan per person, a full set breakfast includes orange juice, corn flakes, yogurt, fried egg, bacon, sausage, ham, bread and jam, fruit salad and hot drinks.
A sea or garden view is promised according to the location of rooms. Bamboo-made rocking chairs are available on all balconies.
Mysterious Island
Mysterious Island, the resort’s theme park, has five different areas. High-speed roller coasters, a vertical chariot and escape boats are the most popular items.
Performances such as African drumming and Scottish pipes are impressive.
Admission: 110 yuan per person, 55 yuan for children and the elderly between 65 and 69 (valid ID cards required), free admission for children under 1.1 meters or the elderly over 70.
Fishing marina
Next to the lake, the fishing marina and its 2.7-kilometer-long avenue dotted with boutiques, bars and restaurants is a must visit. You can enjoy afternoon tea there, or watch a film on the waterfall screen.
Fantasy Theater
The 1,200-seat Fantasy Theater, next to the marina, offers nightly performances of “Dream by the Sea.” Featuring acrobatics, ballet and modern dance, the show is a popular nighttime choice of entertainment.
Performances begin at 8 p.m. on weekdays, and an extra show will be staged on public holidays at 4 p.m.
Admission: 100 yuan per person, 150 yuan for first-class seats and 280 yuan for VIP seats.
Health checkup packages
Rather than endure a physical examination in a noisy hospital full of the smell of disinfectant, try the resort’s 13-department health checkup center.
Health checkups at five-star resorts in Southeast Asian countries are popular among Hong Kongers, with their relatively low price and pleasant environment.
The resort, targeting mainland group tourists traveling on company expenses and individual Hong Kong holidaymakers, is probably the first one on the mainland to provide such a service.
The checkup report will be completed the same day and a detailed health report will be filed for individuals.
Where to stay
Two five-star Mediterranean-style hotels offer more than 1,000 rooms ranging from standard doubles to honeymoon suites and villas for families.
Doubles start from 1,080 yuan per night, and a villa with three en suite bedrooms, hot-spring pool, kitchen, dining room and terrace start from 4,280 yuan.
Paying some 2,880 yuan, you can enjoy a honeymoon suite with a king-sized bed, a hot-spring pool and, most importantly, a private berth at the marina.
Tan Xiaomi
IF those hot-spring resorts which simply provided hot water failed to meet your needs and left you with a pallid memory, the newly opened Ocean Spring Resort in Zhuhai is probably the place for you.
The 2.2-billion-yuan (US$275 million) resort which opened in late January has 60 hot-spring pools, two five-star hotels, a marina featuring gourmet restaurants and boutiques, a theater, a theme park, a fitness club and even a health center providing various checkup deals for holidaymakers.
Owned by China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Ltd., the company which developed Shenzhen’s Splendid China and Window of the World, the 40-square-kilometer resort promises visitors a holiday to remember.
Around 1.7 million people had visited the resort by the end of July, yielding sales revenues of 200 million yuan.
As big as it is, the opening of the resort only represents the first phase of development. Coming soon is a golf course with a golf hotel, while the third phase will feature residential villas for those who fancy golf and hot springs as the ideal lifestyle.
Hot spring
Autumn is an ideal season for hot springs. The best way to refresh yourself after a two-hour journey from Shenzhen to the resort is to soak yourself in one of the 60 hot-spring pools with a marvelous sea view.
Don’t worry if you arrive in the evening as it stays open until 10 p.m., to ensure every guest can catch a hot-spring bath before going to bed.
The hot springs come from under the seabed with temperatures of up to 82 degrees Celsius. Don’t forget to try the authentic Oriental massages and Turkish spa next to the hot-spring pools, where you can still get a magnificent view of the South China Sea through the French windows.
Surfers can also try riding the waves at the pools which have advanced wave-making techniques, recreating an ocean coast.
Breakfast on the balcony
Burnt the midnight oil by singing karaoke, playing cards or chatting? What can be better than having your breakfast on the balcony in the morning sunshine?
Costing 50 yuan per person, a full set breakfast includes orange juice, corn flakes, yogurt, fried egg, bacon, sausage, ham, bread and jam, fruit salad and hot drinks.
A sea or garden view is promised according to the location of rooms. Bamboo-made rocking chairs are available on all balconies.
Mysterious Island
Mysterious Island, the resort’s theme park, has five different areas. High-speed roller coasters, a vertical chariot and escape boats are the most popular items.
Performances such as African drumming and Scottish pipes are impressive.
Admission: 110 yuan per person, 55 yuan for children and the elderly between 65 and 69 (valid ID cards required), free admission for children under 1.1 meters or the elderly over 70.
Fishing marina
Next to the lake, the fishing marina and its 2.7-kilometer-long avenue dotted with boutiques, bars and restaurants is a must visit. You can enjoy afternoon tea there, or watch a film on the waterfall screen.
Fantasy Theater
The 1,200-seat Fantasy Theater, next to the marina, offers nightly performances of “Dream by the Sea.” Featuring acrobatics, ballet and modern dance, the show is a popular nighttime choice of entertainment.
Performances begin at 8 p.m. on weekdays, and an extra show will be staged on public holidays at 4 p.m.
Admission: 100 yuan per person, 150 yuan for first-class seats and 280 yuan for VIP seats.
Health checkup packages
Rather than endure a physical examination in a noisy hospital full of the smell of disinfectant, try the resort’s 13-department health checkup center.
Health checkups at five-star resorts in Southeast Asian countries are popular among Hong Kongers, with their relatively low price and pleasant environment.
The resort, targeting mainland group tourists traveling on company expenses and individual Hong Kong holidaymakers, is probably the first one on the mainland to provide such a service.
The checkup report will be completed the same day and a detailed health report will be filed for individuals.
Where to stay
Two five-star Mediterranean-style hotels offer more than 1,000 rooms ranging from standard doubles to honeymoon suites and villas for families.
Doubles start from 1,080 yuan per night, and a villa with three en suite bedrooms, hot-spring pool, kitchen, dining room and terrace start from 4,280 yuan.
Paying some 2,880 yuan, you can enjoy a honeymoon suite with a king-sized bed, a hot-spring pool and, most importantly, a private berth at the marina.
Address: Ocean Spring Resort, Pingsha Township, Jinwan District, Zhuhai (珠海金湾区平沙镇海泉湾度假城)
Inquiries: (0756) 7728-999, (0755) 3339-9528
Web site:
www.oceanspring.com.cn
How to get there
By bus
Shuttle buses provided by the Mango City travel agency depart at 10:30 a.m. from Shenzhen every Saturday, and at 4:10 p.m. from the resort Sunday.
China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Ltd. offers one-day or overnight travel packages to the resort starting from 250 yuan per person. Call 400-664-0066 or (0756) 3886-883 for more information.
By car
Take the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway toward Humen. Transfer to the Beijing-Zhuhai expressway through the Humen Bridge, and then connect to the West Coastal Expressway. Exit at Zhugang, and take the Zhugang Thoroughfare until you see the Ocean Spring Thoroughfare. It takes two hours to drive from Shenzhen to the resort.
广深高速公路 — 虎门 — 经虎门大桥转入京珠高速 — 西部沿海高速 — 珠港出口 — 珠港大道 — 海泉湾大道 — 海泉湾度假城
By boat
Take the boat to Zhuhai at the Shekou ferry terminal, and then transfer to shuttle buses next to the Zhuhai terminal.
