Island Forest Seaview Hotel

I had hesitated a bit about booking this hotel due to the mixed reviews, but the hotel is fine! Sure, it's somewhat showing its age and not a modern luxury 4-star hotel (but the reasonable room rates also reflect this, so it's fair). They have clearly maintained the hotel pretty well and the room was comfortable. Staff at reception was also very friendly and welcoming. My room had a spacious balcony (although the seaside balconies unfortunately don't get any sun during most of the day, which in winter seemed a pity) and the bathroom had both a shower and a bathtub, which was great. No fridge though, which I would have liked. While I was satisfied with the hotel, I hesitate a bit more about recommending Bo'ao as a place to stay. I wasn't impressed by the beach, which is a relatively narrow ***** of sand, disfigured by people racing around on quads. There are some restaurants and cafés but not directly on the beach and mostly closed or empty in winter (I love the beaches where you can have a drink sitting on a beanbag on the beach, which they have on Hainan's south coast, but that kind of places can't be found here). I visited in winter though and the weather was on the cool side these days. It might all look a lot more cheerful in summer! In any case, different tourists like different things and if you'd like to visit Bo'ao, this hotel is a perfectly fine choice!

Location was excellent with a very agreeable garden full of trees + swimming pool.

The room was clean, the breakfast delicious, and the location idyllic. The view from the spacious balcony was beautiful. The beach is nearby and so are a lot of restaurants and shops. Beside the pool there is also a spot to get your feet cleaned by fish.