The Mermoon Resort Hainan Tufu Bay
Tapestry Collection by Hilton

I booked a king-size bedroom with breakfast included, along with reservations at other hotels during the trip. The price was lower than at the previous hotels, which led to a reassessment of expectations.

The Hilton Mermoon is located in TuFu, a village about 40 kilometers from Perfume Bay, where Lishui and Sanya converge. As the car approached the hotel, "Bay Blessed" real estate advertising banners lined the roadside, with Hilton being one of the main attractions.

The complex consists of five relatively new white buildings, with Hilton Mermoon occupying Building 3; the others are residential apartments.

Upon arrival, the receptionist greeted me warmly while the bellboy assisted with my luggage. The room was upgraded to an ocean view without any conditions. The key was handed over at 1:30 PM, which was convenient as there was no need to wait until 3 PM, as stated in the hotel policy on Ctrip. Despite the hotel being about 70% occupied, according to the check-in staff, it was remarkably quiet.

Stepping into the lobby, I was greeted by the familiar scent of Hilton, accompanied by the flawless cleanliness and neatness that the brand consistently delivers. Hilton's established reputation ensures a reliable experience, and this property was no exception.

The ceiling was high, featuring a half-open-air design similar to other hotels I've visited in Hainan. Moreover, flexible doors were installed, allowing the space to be closed off if necessary. The main color pattern was blue, centered around a mermaid theme, with ship cabinets, shells, and coral ocean motifs adorning the space. The overall design was both stylish and beautifully fashionable.

Upon reaching the 7th floor where my room was located, the Mermoon icon was impressively visible on the roof of a lower building, showcasing the architectural creativity that considered every angle of view. Walking down the hallway felt like strolling along a ship's deck, further enhancing the overall theme.

The room featured beige as the primary color, accented with blue and navy highlights. Rudder-shaped handles and anchor patterns on the cushions added to the nautical theme, while a vintage cabinet with a studded design evoked the feel of a pirate's treasure chest.

The mattress, from King Koil, struck the perfect balance between coil and foam, living up to the hotel's promise of providing a "home-like sleeping experience." In my experience, I often sleep better in high-quality hotel bedding. The down pillow seemed to contain a special material that made it more resilient than typical pillows, easily returning to its original shape after being compressed.

The duvet was neatly folded, but the end was tucked under the mattress. I had to pull it out to allow my feet to breathe during the night, as leaving it tucked in would have made me feel trapped. Some hotels no longer tuck the duvet edge under the mattress.

The pantry is in a treasure cabin and features a kettle, Chali tea bags, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and two shell-shaped cups with a pearl-like gloss. The fridge contained two bottles of water. Shortly after settling in, the housekeeper knocked on the door to deliver welcome snacks and drinks.

The room also included a round table, a couch, a chair, two pairs of sandals for the beach and pool, and regular slippers made of cotton, which I found much more comfortable.

The balcony offered a stunning oceanfront view, with Sanya city visible in the distance, boats sailing across the sea, and a glimpse of the beach through the coconut trees and woods. The well-mowed lawn, hotel pools, and two adjacent apartments completed the picturesque scene.

The bathroom features an open-space design, with the option to create a private area using two sliding doors. The sink is installed on an island-style counter, complemented by a large round mirror that gives the space a modern feel — reminiscent of a sailor's dorm. The amenities provided include a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a comb, along with handwashing soap and lotion beside the sink. The bathtub is placed to the side, with the shower room and toilet separated into two spaces for better functionality.

The toiletries have a pleasant scent and are manufactured in Shenzhen, which makes sense given that Guangzhou and Shenzhen have strong clusters of daily-use chemical and cosmetic industries.

Breakfast offered local specialties, including noodles, rice noodles, and three types of porridge. There were also Chinese and Western-style hot dishes, steamed items, bakeries, salads, fruits, coffee, tea, milk, juice, and iced herbal drinks. The selection was enough to provide a satisfying meal, and the quality appeared fresh and well-prepared. Around 7:30 AM, the restaurant became crowded as a group of tourists gathered before departing for their next destination.

Dinner was served in a room rather than a restaurant, with only four tables. The menu featured Hainan cuisine, and I ordered coconut sticky rice, which was fresh with a naturally sweet flavor, along with stir-fried pork, shrimp, dried seafood, eggs, and cabbage. The flavors were well-balanced with the sauce.

However, the shrimp — which were frozen — had an unusually clear color and a texture that was too elastic, likely due to the addition of chemicals. Additionally, when I requested a beer, the waitress informed me that they had run out.

One aspect that took some getting used to was the lack of air conditioning in the lobby — hot and humid. I ordered a salty lemon passion fruit drink that I enjoyed. I initially wanted a mojito but was told they couldn't make it due to a lack of soda in stock.

Instead, I opted for the Mermoon signature cocktail, made with rum and coconut milk. The drink had a lovely baby blue color, and the ingredients blended perfectly. I also tried the delicious churros. The bartender — a friendly lady — suggested I purchase a package from Meituan to get a better discount.

The hotel provides conference and meeting rooms equipped with LED screens, projectors, stages, and audio systems. The spacious open-air foyers have ceilings made of slatted beams that let sunlight filter through, casting dramatic striped shadows across the floor.

Around 4 PM, the natural light creates a harmonious interplay between the architectural elements and the surroundings, emphasizing the seamless blend of structure and nature. However, it appears the conference room hasn't been used for some time, as the ventilation is inadequate and the lingering smell of decoration materials can be irritating to the eyes.

The hotel also has a handicraft studio where another group of guests and I participated in a tie-dye workshop. This activity is part of the intangible cultural heritage of Guizhou, and the hotel had specially trained staff to teach the technique. In just half an hour, each participant was able to complete their work.

The fitness center includes treadmills, ellipticals, a mountain climber, a rowing machine in the cardio area, a resistance training rack, and dumbbells. While it's not a large space, it's well-equipped and — with strong air conditioning — provides a comfortable workout environment.

An indoor playground and vending machines on-site add convenience for guests, especially those with children.

The hotel features swimming pools, including a splash pool for kids. Beyond the lawn and woods, the beach is easily accessible, offering water activities like boating, sailing, and snorkeling provided by external vendors.

At night, I watched a drone show organized by a guest who was celebrating their child's one-year birthday at the neighboring Capella Hotel.

I realized that Hilton Mermoon is a good choice for a stay — especially for tour groups or anyone looking to spend some relaxing and quiet moments, perhaps taking leisurely walks along the beach.

When I spoke with the staff about where the guests typically come from, the response was similar to what I've heard at other international hotels like Marriott and Hyatt: Hilton's CRM system notifies its members, and guests trust the brand enough to explore something new. During check-in, the receptionist encouraged me to join their membership program, which offered a 10% discount at the restaurant.