Events | French Soul in Sanya

Allan Tam, Henry Padovani & Bennett Pang

With numerous terrorist attacks occuring during the past year in various parts of the world, many are thinking twice about going on vacation outside of China. Sad as it is, individuals who are looking for an alternative to a getaway in the French Riviera now have the option of flying to Sanya and stay at the Sanya Sofitel Leeman Resort, a luxury resort inspired by the glamour of Southern France.
Daily flights to Sanya are available from Zhuhai airport and it takes less than an hour to get there. Located on the spectacular Haitang Bay, Sofitel Sanya Leeman brings French art de vivre to a setting on the southern tip of China’s only tropical island destination. An elegant answer to a luxury traveler’s quest for the good things in life, Sofitel Sanya Leeman illustrates an artful blend of local culture and French soul.

Hong Kong celebrities and AccorHotels’ representatives

The promotion of French culture is one of Sofitel’s four key pillars – Design, Culture, Gastronomy and Wellness. At the all day dining venue inside the resort, one can find perfectly baked French macarons at one corner and local Hainanese dishes at other counter. Rooms are delightfully furnished with elements that are reminiscent of nature and the sea. The bathroom even features amenities from Lanvin.

The first Sofitel beach resort in Greater China, Sofitel Sanya Leeman forms an oasis of sophistication reminiscent of that of the French Riviera, an infusion of timeless French hospitality and authentic Hainanese culture. Its 477 superbly appointed rooms, suites and villas, are set amidst lushly landscaped gardens, beachfront swimming pools and gourmet dining outlets. In addition to the usual resort attractions, guests can enjoy pony riding, helicopter sightseeing tours and participate in oriental dance classes.

Henry Padovani

Culturally speaking, this year, Sofitel hotels have been celebrating the French Fete de la Musique since the beginning of last month. This annual music event has been held during the European summer since its inauguration in 1982 and Sofitel has been celebrating the festival amongst its 120 hotels worldwide since 2010. This year’s theme for the majority of Sofitel hotels in Greater China has been “Vivre ensemble la musique” (Musical Togetherness), expressed in diverse events.
Last month, 300 guests enjoyed a special Fete de la Musique performance at Sofitel Sanya Leeman. Guests were fascinated by the star of the evening – multi-talented, Henry Padovani, in his newest show, Fly Like a Song. Co-founder of popular English rock band The Police, the legendary French performer has explored many genres of music in the course of his long career. His newest programme includes some of his most famous and most loved songs in an electrifying performance that ranges from dreamy blues to classic rock interspersed with abrasive and sometimes mischievous sounds.
Nostalgia was to the fore when surprise guest participants joined Henry Padovani on-stage for some impromptu numbers. Evergreen members of The Wynners, Hong Kong’s favourite pop band from the 1970s – Alan Tam, Bennett Pang, Anthony Chan – as well as Eddie Ng delighted the audience by showing that they had lost none of their appeal in the intervening years. The audience reached fever pitch of excitement at the end of the performance.