If you haven’t entered any dates, the rate shown is provided directly by the hotel and represents the cheapest double room (including tax) available in the next 21 days.
Prices have been converted from the hotel’s local currency (AUD1,300.00), via openexchangerates.org, using today’s exchange rate.
Style
Reef meets Riviera
Setting
A meander from the marina
Infuse some glam into your next group getaway at the Great Barrier Reef's Hamilton Yacht Club Villas. With four bedrooms, expansive entertaining areas and jaw-dropping views over Dent Passage, these family-friendly beach houses take laid-back luxury to new levels.
Get this when you book through us:
A bottle of Robert Oatley wine on arrival
35 four-bedroom villas.
10am; check-in 2pm.
Double rooms from $877.36 (AU$1,182), excluding tax at 10 per cent.
If you haven’t entered any dates, the rate shown is provided directly by the hotel and represents the cheapest double room (including tax) available in the next 21 days. Prices have been converted from the hotel’s local currency (AUD1,300.00), via openexchangerates.org, using today’s exchange rate.Price information
Rates include VIP airport/marina transfers, fruit and bakery platter, concierge service, use of a four-seater golf buggy, catamarans, paddle skis, windsurfers and snorkelling kit, priority booking for Hamilton Island Golf Course. Minimum three-night stay.
A mid-stay clean is offered for bookings of five nights or longer, or make an advance request for more regular cleaning for AU$636 a day.
Marina, Spa Wumurdaylin, gym, kids' club, gardens, golf course, concierge, parking. In rooms: Miele kitchen, barbecue, laundry, flatscreen TV, DVD player, Aesop toiletries.
As these are privately owned villas, decor and design varies throughout, with contemporary furniture from Coco Republic. Premium Yacht Club Villas score extra brownie points for their wow-worthy waterfront position.
The bayside lagoon pool isn't huge, but it's perfectly fine for a quick dip – and kids will love lolling about.
Sporty types should bring boat shoes, golf clubs and diving gear; poolside posers need only pack swimwear and shades.
The Yacht Club Villas are closed to guests during Hamilton Island Race Week in August. An AU$1,500 deposit is required for the golf buggy. A surcharge applies for credit-card payments (1.25 per cent for Visa/MasterCard, 3.36 per cent for Amex).
Kids aged under 12 stay and dine for free (at selected eateries), making this the ideal family escape. Children aged six weeks to 14 years will love the Clownfish Club, Hamilton Island's action-packed kids' club.
Honestly, the kids will love it here. Each villa sleeps up to eight people in four bedrooms, so depending on how many tots you've got with you they may even have a room to themselves. There is so much to do on the island regardless of how old they are. At some of Hamilton Island's restaurants and cafes – Coca Chu and Sails Steak and Seafood Grill, for example – kids younger than 12 dining with their parents eat for free.
All ages really.
All the villas here have four bedrooms.
Hamilton Island has the Clownfish Club, a kids centre and childcare facility, that caters for bubs as young as six weeks old to 14-year-olds. Prices start at $45 for a three-hour stay.
Where do you start? First and foremost, outdoors... There's a Wildlife Park, where they can check out koalas and other cuddly critters, as well as mini golf. No doubt the water is a big drawcard. Head to nearby Catseye Beach with the kayaks for some easy paddling. Even the youngest toddlers will enjoy it here – they can build castles in the sand, look for shells and wade in the shallow, calm water. The Bougainvillea Pool has plenty of swim toys and shade. For those too little (or timid) to pop on a snorkel, there are glass-bottom boat tours. You might want to consider a family day sailing to spectacular Whitehaven Beach or choppering over the reef – you really do get a different idea of its great expanse when you're flying over it. If the sun decides it's not coming out one day, toys, books and DVDs can be hired from the Clownfish Club.
There are a number of pools on Hamilton Island, but for the littlies the lagoon-shaped Bougainvillea Pool is the best choice. There's plenty of shade, shallow water and pool toys.
Most of the restaurants on Hamilton Island are casual child-friendly, with the option of kids' meals as well as high chairs. Any youngsters under the age of 12 will be given a wristband when they arrive, which entitles them to eat for free at five establishments when they're dining with their parents. Start the day in the company of koalas – the breakfast buffet at Wildlife Hamilton Island Cafe is a favourite with children. Otherwise choose from the Pool Terrace, Coca Chu, Sails Steak and Seafood Grill or Manta Ray Cafe.
Book at least 24 hours in advance through the Clownfish Club. Rates start at $65 for a three-hour block for one or two children.
If you want to spare your luggage, you can actually hire everything – portable cots, highchairs, prams and even toys – from the Clownfish Club.
So often teenagers can be trying on holidays. If you've ever heard the phrase 'I'm bored' uttered over and over again, you'll know what we're talking about. Hamilton Island, however, has plenty of exciting activities for the older set. They can go to a golf clinic and learn to play, head to action-packed Palm Valley, with its quad bikes, and take classes with the artist-in-residence.
It's hard to pip a dinner cruise on the Denison Star for the best views and most romantic atmosphere. On dry land, try a waterfront table at Beach Club or Bommies.
Depends on where your dining: swimwear and shorts might cut it at the cafes, but you'll want to glam up for restaurant dinners.
Take your pick of Hamilton Island's slew of eateries, including Mod Oz tastes at Beach Club restaurant, fine dining at Bommie, south-east Asian fare at Coca Chu, pizza at Manta Ray Cafe and classic Italian flavours at Romano's. Each villa also features a gourmet kitchen with Miele appliances and a barbecue on the terrace, if you'd prefer to cook yourself.
Bars are similarly bountiful. Enjoy an ice-cold beer on the deck of the Marina Tavern, poolside sips at Bougainvillea Bar, smart cocktails at Verandah Bar or a sunset champagne at One Tree Hill, the island's view-blessed hilltop lookout.
Varied, though most of the kitchens call it quits between 9pm and 10pm.
Arrange in-villa catering and pre-prepared meals in advance, or dial up a home-delivered pizza from Manta Ray Cafe.
Flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane depart regularly for Hamilton Island Airport (www.hamiltonisland.com.au/airport) with Qantas (www.qantas.com.au), Virgin Australia (www.virginaustralia.com.au) and Jetstar (www.jetstar.com). Once you've touched down, it's a 10-minute drive to the Yacht Club Villas, but there's no need to hail a taxi or arrange a car: room rates include a personalised concierge service, offering guests a VIP meet and greet on arrival and return airport/marina transfers.
If travelling inland from Brisbane, take the high-speed Tilt Train or the Sunlander, which run between Brisbane and Cairns. However, you’re looking at around 25 hours in the saddle. Book via Queensland Rail (www.traveltrain.com.au).
From 7am to 11pm, the free Hamilton Island shuttle bus ferries guests between the Marina Village, Catseye Beach, resorts and One Tree Hill.
Fantasea Cruises (+61 (0)7 4946 5111; www.fantasea.com.au) operates daily between Hamilton Island and Shute Harbour on the mainland. Each run takes about 35-55 minutes, depending upon the weather. Charter a chopper or seaplane through Hamilton Island Air (www.hamiltonislandair.com) for flights to Whitehaven Beach or other sublime spots.
Hamilton Island has been described as a paradise of boys' toys, and when you factor in quad-biking, go-carting, bowling, target shooting and golf in many persuasions (your classic 18 holes, aqua versions and a mini course), it's not hard to see why.
As it's the gateway to the Whitsundays, watersports are also in abundance, including sailing, jetskiing and scuba diving to name just a few. To up the fun factor, Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villa guests enjoy free use of catamarans, paddle skis, windsurfers and snorkelling equipment.
While the boys go wild, ladies can indulge in an all-out pampering session at Spa Wumurdaylin, which draws on Waterlily and Li'tya products to create a uniquely indigenous experience. Or get your retail fix at Marina Village, where you can flex your credit card on art, fashion and jewellery, and stock up on holiday essentials at the General Store.
With more than 74 islands in the Whitsundays, secluded coves abound. Pure white sands and a dazzling spectrum of blues make Whitehaven Beach the pick of the bunch. It's been named one of the world's most beautiful beaches, and more than lives up to its lofty mantel. Join a Fantasea Cruise (www.fantasea.com.au; +61 (0)7 4946 5111) from Hamilton Island Marina or charter a boat, seaplane or chopper to reach this remote isle.
Travelling with a troop is all well and good, but if you feel the need for some quality time à deux, indulge in a romantic meal for two at Bommie Restaurant in the Yacht Club, or book the Denison Star Dinner Cruise, which kicks off with canapés and drinks on board the luxury boat before a four-course dinner is served.
Dine on creative Asian flavours at fresh-face Coca Chu, huge steaks and salads at the Marina Tavern, authentic cucina Italiana at Romano's and premium-quality meats at the Steakhouse on Catseye Beach
Breakfast buffets are on offer at the Pool Terrace and Hamilton Island Wildlife Cafe (you can even cuddle a koala at the latter). For casual pizza lunches, try the gourmet offerings at Manta Ray Cafe.
No stay on Hamilton Island is complete without enjoying a glass of champagne on One Tree Hill as the sun slips into the ocean. This nightly event has become a must-do ritual. Other drinking destinations include the deck at Mariners, laid-back Reef Lounge and elegant Verandah Bar, the perfect post for evening cocktails.
Mrs Smith and I are just a touch competitive and luckily Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villas is the perfect place to undertake some friendly (or not so amicable) contests. With the children happily making cupcakes and having a teddy bears’ picnic at the kids’ club, we have time to play tennis at the sports’ club, golf at sensational Dent Island and scramble to the top of rugged Passage Peak. For aquatic action, you can race paddleboards, kayaks or jet skis, or you can opt to embroil the kids in your matches, with mini golf, Kegel 9-Pin bowling or table-tennis back at your villa. Lets just say, Mrs Smith looks shocked when my skills honed as schoolboy table-tennis champion decimate her game.
Any fears of being cooped up with Mrs Smith, two kids and my mother-in-law on our family long-weekend getaway are swept away when we open the door to Yacht Club Villa 15. My head seems to nod automatically in joyous approval as I scan the four luxurious floors of seclusion and space, linked by striking staircases and giving onto breathtaking views. I can’t help but let out a quiet ‘yesssssssssss!’ at the thought of spending time here.
This exclusive collection of designer dens, tucked behind security gates and strategically positioned shrubbery (thanks Jamie Durie), is private enough for even the most famous of names (think Leonardo DiCaprio, who booked into ‘our’ villa last year!). You can quite easily stay within the vast confines of this chic, cocooned community, popping to the lagoon infinity pool that hugs the shoreline or strolling to the petite but adequate gym at the Yacht Club. Of course, with access to Qualia hotel facilities open to Villa guests, it is all too tempting to risk blowing your cover and take your buggy on a slow jaunt up to the fine-dining restaurant or magnificent day spa.
After our competitive capers, there are oversized sofas, chaise longues, indoor and outdoor day-beds, a huge bath tub and comfy beds all waiting to rest our weary bones. With an entertainment/theatre room on the basement level, the kids can watch TV as we retreat for a lunchtime snooze on the top floor, or in the evening we can cuddle up on the couch watching a movie in Bose surround-sound, as the kids slumber peacefully two floors above – heaven!
With a master bedroom overhanging the shoreline, and wood panelling and contemporary designer furnishings throughout, you could be mistaken for thinking you are on a large and very exclusive cruise boat floating in the Whitsundays. The bathrooms (all four of them, one for each bedroom) are equally deluxe, adorned with Aesop products. Just try to ration your shampoo and shower gel usage, as being a holiday villa, the rooms aren’t serviced or replenished every day.
Impressively provisioned, the villa kitchen comes stocked with serious glassware and more crockery and cutlery than most average homes. Entertaining here would be an absolute joy, cooking in a first-rate Miele kitchen and grazing indoors at the gorgeous 10-seat dining table or alfresco, consuming the mesmerising views. And if you are stuck for ideas on what to whip up, the Stephanie Alexander bible Kitchen Garden Companion is provided for inspiration. Word of caution, though, don’t leave scraps around while the doors are open or you may have some uninvited guests – of the furry persuasion. Our cute nocturnal possum visitor now has particularly fresh breath after pinching a pack of mints from inside a handbag on the floor.
4803: commit this number to memory if you’re planning a trip to Hamilton Island, especially with the family. It’s the island postcode – essential information when ordering your groceries online from one of the big-name supermarkets on the mainland. Order a couple of days prior to your arrival, for delivery a couple of hours after you get here, and your holiday is already off to a stress-free (not to mention economical) start.
While basic groceries are necessary when travelling with children, the ‘kids eat free’ policy for Villa guests is just too good not to use for the evening meal. Select restaurants around the island offer the deal, with dedicated kids’ menus, including the newest and hippest Asian-inspired venue Coca Chu. The standard of island food is very good, catering for every fussy child’s (or adult’s) taste.
So, what is wrong with Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villas – apart from the fact that we don’t own one? Well, nothing. However, the four flights of stairs could prove a challenge for certain holidaymakers – those with kids under the age of two (unless you plan on constantly restraining a crawling child), the physically challenged or those that might not relish navigating the stairs after a few too many drinks!
In what is undoubtedly one of the world’s best holiday destinations, the Villas are the ultimate luxury ‘home away from home’, complete with personalised executive concierge service to ensure your stay is seamless. If only I could wake up to views this good at my place…
