We wanted to experience Haitong Bay and had moved to Sofitel from a XiaoDong Bay hotel. Sofitel is definitly a superbly designed property and has some nice touches - kids pools, warm water pools, large lap pools, activity pools and a huge variety of places to lay, sit, rest, nest, swing outdoors. They gym was good, but it could have used a few more machines. I noticed they had a pole, for dancing! Staff were good, but sometimes could have been more proactive. My major complaint is the helicopter that takes off from near the pools sometimes every 15 minutes for short tours up and down the beach. this is loud and annoying - and really is the key thing that would cause me not to return. Guests should be aware that the "no swimming" signs on the beach by the hotel appear to be permanent. So if you want to swim in the ocean, this is not the beach to stay at.
