Ahn Luh Dong’ao Island Zhuhai

Located in the heart of the Wanshan Archipelago off Zhuhai, and facing Hong Kong and Macau across the sea, Dong’ao Island is revered as one of China’s most pristine maritime escapes. A jewel of the “City of a Hundred Islands,” it offers an exquisite harmony of dense vegetation, dramatic rock formations, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life—where nature and legend meet.

Ahn Luh Dong’ao Island Zhuhai is envisioned as a contemporary sanctuary deeply rooted in this mythical, natural setting. Nestled into the sloped eastern coastline of Dong’ao Bay, the resort is conceived as a hillside retreat that embraces the island’s raw beauty, serenity, and sense of escape.

Inspired by the land, aligned with the elements, the architectural masterplan arises from a deep respect for place. Through rigorous analysis of orientation, slope, and topography, the resort layout maximizes views of the South China Sea while minimizing its impact on the land. Buildings are terraced along the hillside; their staggered placement ensuring that each villa and guestroom enjoys a direct, uninterrupted view of the ocean.

By “touching the site lightly”, the design preserves the island’s dramatic terrain, weaving built forms between clusters of native vegetation and exposed stone. Villas are gently anchored into the hillsides, their architecture embracing a natural palette inspired by sea, sky, and forest. Many structures are partially concealed, enhancing both privacy and sense of discovery.

Guests arrive via a winding drive that ascends to a discreet hotel entrance, where the horizon reveals itself in dramatic layers – sea, sky, and infinity pool merging into one theatrical vista. The lobby offers an immediate sense of arrival and awe, setting the tone for the resort’s immersive, nature-forward experience.

The site is divided into two main zones: the hotel precinct and the villa precinct. Each is accessible by dedicated entries and connected by a pedestrian bridge that winds through the forest canopy, evoking the feeling of walking through a forgotten garden. Along the southern edge, a coastal boardwalk leads to nearby islets and a waterfront activities center, offering a rich and leisurely seaside journey. Throughout the landscape, pathways meander past sculptural rocks, reflective pools, and forest vegetation, creating a narrative journey reminiscent of an ancient poem—calm, flowing, and imbued with a quiet Zen spirit.

The design language draws from Southeast Asian architectural vernaculars, infusing the resort with a sense of exotic seclusion. This approach celebrates the island’s subtropical climate and lush coastal setting, while evoking a relaxed, escapist atmosphere. Natural materials and forms have been carefully considered for their ability to harmonize with the environment and age beautifully over time.

The villas range from one to three bedrooms, each a refined cocoon for rest and reflection. Private plunge pools, sunken courtyards, and garden atriums bring nature inside, while full-height glazing frames uninterrupted views of the sea. Elevated villas offer long vistas; those closer to the shore provide an intimate proximity to the water. Each typology is designed to respond to the land and capture the island’s shifting terrain and perspective.

The spa is discreetly located in a low-lying, tranquil part of the site, away from the main buildings, framed by garden views and distant glimpses of the sea. This placement ensures privacy while reinforcing its role as a restful retreat.

Ahn Luh Dong’ao Island Zhuhai is a sanctuary shaped by the rhythms of land, sea, and sky. A place where architectural form and natural force meet, every view opens to a moment of stillness. Designed for reconnection with nature, with culture, and with self, the resort invites guests to pause, reflect, and rediscover a simpler, more meaningful way of being.

“Our vision for Ahn Luh Dong’ao Island Zhuhai was to create a retreat where architecture nestles into the hillside, dissolving the boundaries between built form and nature. At every turn, guests encounter sea, sky, and solace. Rather than impose, we chose to listen — to the land, the topography, and the sweeping views — and respond with a design that safeguards the island’s raw beauty while elevating the guest experience.” – Robert Payan, Principal, Studio Director of Architecture.

Photos courtesy of Ahn Luh Dong’ao Island Zhuhai