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.
Overview
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.
Best for
All ages really.
Recommended rooms
All the villas here have four bedrooms.
Crèche
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.
Activities
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.
Swimming pool
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.
Meals
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.
Babysitting
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.
No need to pack
If you want to spare your luggage, you can actually hire everything – portable cots, highchairs, prams and even toys – from the Clownfish Club.
Also
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.