The Ironman China website has just been
updated with travel and accommodation information. Among the highlights:
The
Sheraton Haikou Resort has been identified as the host hotel. It is listed as 3km from the start and 15 minutes from the finish.
The organizers have also listed six other possibilities including the Crowne Hainan Spa & Beach Resort, which they note is the only one that is comparable with the Sheraton. It looks like a few of the others are not really set up for westerners. When possible I like to stay at the event's host hotel. Also if the finish is not the same place as the start, as a matter of preference I opt for a hotel that is close to the start. Race morning has enough going on that it's nice to be able to just walk out of the hotel to the race start (and back if I make a last minute change on something or have forgotten anything). I also like having access to the hotel restrooms over having to wait in the mile long portapotty lines with the masses. The Sheraton isn't quite walking distance to the start but it's still pretty close.
In addition to being the host hotel I'm likely going to opt for the Sheraton for these reasons:
1. They have Wi-Fi and high-speed in the rooms (might be an extra charge).
2. I think it will be safest when it comes to food.
3. Likely to have more English speaking staff than the other hotels
4. They have non-smoking rooms
5. In-room coffee makers
6. In-room safes
While exchange rates may change, it looks like a very nice ocean view room can be gotten for around $170/night (inclusive of taxes/fees).
I decided to see what the Sheraton Haikou reviews looked like on
TripAdviser. Though there were a few complaints about service, it seems that everyone liked the rooms and setting.
Before I book the hotel directly however I'm going to see what packages are available from
Endurance Sports Travel (ETS) who is working with the promoters of the event. While I've never used ETS, I know that it is run by triathlon legend Ken Glah. (Note: if you are coming from Europe, Japan or Australia the promoters have hooked up with different travel operators. Go to the Ironman China website for links to these.) Right now ETS just has a placeholder up on their site with plans to have something more definite up in December.
One of the things on the ETS site that particularly piqued my interest was the "ground service package" consisting of transportation,
translators, some group meals, course tours,
bike mechanics, CO2 cartridges etc.
Since it appears that I will be traveling alone to China (though possibly joined from a
friend from Korea a day or two before the race), having a group meal with other triathletes sounds fun. I've also being trying to figure out how to drive the course without having to charter a taxi. It looks like ETS is already thinking about this. All in all, assuming the costs are inline with alternatives it looks to be pretty compelling.