Mr & Mrs Smith

Hayman

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Surrounded by the azure Coral Sea and boasting the largest pool in the southern hemisphere, Hayman boutique hotel on the Great Barrier Reef personifies the life aquatic. Bright, light contemporary rooms let the ocean take centre stage, although guests spend most of their time outside, whether snoozing on a sunlounger, being massaged into submission at the spa or partaking in adrenaline-boosting adventures.

Need to know

• Rooms 210, including 38 suites.
• Rates Double rooms from $517.53 (AU$536), excluding tax at 10 per cent.
  The price shown represents the lowest nightly rate for a double room available at this hotel over the next 21 days. Any price conversions from the hotel's local currency (AU$536) have been conducted using today's exchange rates from xe.com.
• More details Rates include buffet breakfast in Azure restaurant and non-motorised water sports and activities.
• Facilities Spa, gym with personal trainers, tennis, squash and basketball courts, croquet, golf putting and chipping, PADI dive centre, watersports, kids' club, beach, concierge, library, games (fussball, Wii and ping-pong), WiFi throughout (free at low speed; high speed costs AU$15 a day). In rooms: flatscreen TV with cable channels and on-demand movies, CD player, iPod dock, personalised minibar, Hayman toiletries (Bulgari in Suite rooms or above). Beach Villas and the Beach House also offer Apple TV; Beach Villas sport iPads, too.
• Poolside The resort's centerpiece, the Hayman pool, is the largest in the southern hemisphere and is surrounded by sunloungers, shady pool pods and huge white umbrellas. There’s also a small pool near the Lagoon wing if you fancy getting away from the action.
• Check-out Midday; check-in, 2pm, both flexible on request subject to availability.
• Children Oh. Em. Gee. All the kids love Hayman and Hayman completely caters to them. Many rooms already have extra beds; cots for under-threes can be supplied for free. An extra bed can be added to rooms at a cost of AU$125 a night. More...
• Also Smoking is not permitted inside rooms. Two of the Lagoon Rooms are wheel-chair accessible, as are all the restaurants and public areas.

Food and drink at Hayman

• Hotel restaurant

  Where to eat today may be the question you ponder during your stay at Hayman. There are four main restaurants offering all styles of cuisine. The most upmarket is Fontaine, serving mod Australian fare with a focus on seafood. La Trattoria, with its trad gingham tableclothes, is the place for pizza and pasta. Set in tranquil gardens, Oriental's menu spans Indian, Japanese, Thai and Chinese. Breakfast is served at Azure, overlooking the beach; in the evening, chefs here whip up contemporary dishes from the grill. Grab lunch or a snack at the Pool Bar.

• Dress code Everywhere is really relaxed and what you’ll wear reflects that. If you feel the urge to frock up, head to Fontaine.
• Top table Ask the concierge about the twilight dining experiences, where intimate tables for two can be set up by the beach, nestled in the garden or beside a waterfall.
• Last orders It’s a bit free-flowing depending on how busy the hotel is, and not all restaurants open every night. If you plan on dining later – say, after 9.30pm – best to discuss your options with the concierge.
• Room service Available 24 hours a day. Between 6am and 11am, the breakfast menu is on. Try a healthy egg-white omelette and fresh juice or splurge on French toast with strawberry compote and maple syrup. After that it’s an edited selection of lighter meals.
• Hotel bar

  Again, there’s a choice. The Mexican-inspired Beach Pavilion has ocean views and a great selection of tequila. Then there’s Hayman Pool Bar, where you can enjoy a cold one while watching everyone splashing around. The Club Lounge, with its timber panelling and board games, to our mind doesn’t really fit the casual island vibe but would be a peaceful option. Much more appealing is hiring your own private gazebo – for a price it comes with its own waiter and unlimited drinks and snacks.

   

Also worth knowing

• Weddings This property is suitable for weddings. More...

Hayman Hayman Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland 4801