We visited this resort in August 2011. Actually we were in awe when we saw the hotel. The location is almost a paradise-like place. The beach and pools are the highlights of Marriott. I think the pool system was the best i've ever seen - a big labirynth where you don't bump into the noisy Chinese who constitute the major part of visitors. Service was excellent , BUT you have to stick to positive approach as staff don't understand English though they STRIVE to, so it was ok and somehow rather funny. Asking for a screwdriver was a real challange, but we were ok with that. The only drawbak is a price for food. The breakfast is super tasty and abundant, but having a dinner at the Marriott restaurants was even more pricey than dining at Hilton and Sheraton, which were next to the hotel (TIP!). Might consider coming back when i get super rich.

I read a lot of reviews on hotels in Sanya prior to our stay there and a lot of them mentioned that the food was overpriced, but I think that is an understatment when it comes to the Marriott. I had a tuna salad sandwich with cheap Chinese style potato chips and after resort fees and taxes it was close to $30USD. I could have made something better for much less. The food in the restaurants was also overpriced, but at least it was better quality. Overall between food and alcohol my boyfriend and I spent close to $1000USD over a seven day stay, that is pretty crazy considering the breakfast buffet was included in our room(which was well worth it and delicious). I will say we had dinner at the seafood restaurant at the entrance to the hotel and it was great and much less expensive.

As for the rest of the hotel, the service was good and the rooms were nice and spacious with comfortable beds. If I had to do it again though, I would just go back to Thailand and enjoy the beaches there.

I have been to this resort in Summer 2009 and 2010.
The wow factor you get as you enter the resort is amazing. Seeing the view out of the lobby is breathtaking. Even going back a year later I got butterflies seeing it again.
We had a sea view room the first time and then another view the second time. Both times rooms were excellent, very clean and service very efficient. You can get lost in the maze of pools which are kept to an excellent standard.
Outside of the main strip of hotels (all with private beaches) Sanya is very different and as you would expect for a developing country. The driving in Sanya is not for the faint hearted either and taxi drivers do some crazy things- something to note if you are a nervous person.
Overall it's an experience.

My Ocean View room with King Size bed is spacious with good quality furniture. The walk-in shower in the bathroom has good water pressure. From the balcony the view of the sea, bay islands, beech and palm trees is idealic and the location on the golden sand beech is superb. Swimming is delightful in both the clean blue warm sea and the interesting swimming pool. The gardend well well manicurred and there were plenty of good quality sun loungers on the beech. Clientelle was a mix of Chinese and Russian. The quality of eating and drinking was high but it was all too functional. The Western Restaurant is also the breakfast room, ideal for feeding hundreds in the morning but it had the charm of a motorway service station cafe for dinner. The Chinese restaurant had a better feel with white table cloths. In neitther did the food did not match the five star prices. Also disappointing was the drinking areas. The lovely beech bar had potential with the sound of lapping waves but the high prices (Y100 per glass of wine and Y60 for a small bottle of beer) seemed to discourage drinkers, there were no patrons any night when I stayed. The Marriot has adopted the Chinese food and beverage view that high prices means exclusive. The same could be said of the lobby bar where a Filippino band played live to a hugh bright empty space. Paradise on the beech, but not much fun.