For DiLeonardo‘s first hotel with the St. Regis brand, the St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort in Sanya, China, the firm was charged with “creating a new level of luxury. We worked closely with both the owner and St. Regis early on in the project to establish the design direction that would celebrate the natural beauty of its location, complement the contemporary architecture, exemplify the St. Regis brand, and tastefully speak to the Chinese culture,” says partner Giana DiLeonardo.

The hotel was no small undertaking: DiLeonardo and her team worked on the hotel’s 401 guestrooms and suites, 28 beachfront villas, public space, meeting and ballroom space, the Iridium Spa, sellable villas, and all F&B outlets including Social, the all-day dining restaurant; Decanter, the wine cellar; Ming Xuan, the upscale Chinese restaurant; and Driftwood, the beachfront restaurant.

Says DiLeonardo: “A key component of the design was to take the voluminous space and create bespoke moments that allow the guests a feeling of intimacy and prestige. We were inspired by a combination of factors such as the location itself-the resort is located on the pristine coastline of Yalong Bay in south China and surrounded by a wetland sanctuary and lush mangrove forest; it is truly stunning.”

Envisioning a grand ocean liner, the designers infused the spaces with finely finished woodwork, polished metal contrasts, and rough-cut stonework. Imagining the Astors traveling the world, they curated an eclectic collection of art, artifacts, and furniture from their travels, and whimsical nautical details complement the clean-lined spaces.

DiLeonardo points to the guestrooms as a standout, as a sanctuary of relaxation, with heady views. “My personal favorite is the bathroom experience,” she says. “The layout of the room allows for a generously sized bathroom, walk-in shower, and soaking tub that provide stunning views and is designed with state-of-the-art fixtures, and technology that is readily, yet discreetly available. The materials used-indigenous ‘woven’ stone tiles, onyx vanity tops, and Macore wood-are local to the region and support the clean-lined design of the guestroom. Its open layout is refreshing and creates a spa-like experience that I did not want to leave!”

Next up for DiLeonardo: a St. Regis in Chengdu.