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NZ Herald
22-07-2025
- NZ Herald
My luxury weekend at the Whitsundays
The Sundays boutique hotel only made its debut in April and is already creating lasting impressions. Staff picked up our luggage from the Hamilton Island airport, and we took a shuttle to the hotel - this is complimentary for every booking. 'Omg. Exactly what I needed,' I could hear another writer in our group saying as she got her bedroom tour. Then I saw my Balcony room. It wasn't what I needed. It was that and more. (There was a yoga mat in my wardrobe. Thank you, hotel gods.) A beautiful view from the Balcony room at The Sundays. Photo / Sharyn Cairns Priced from $961 per night, the new 59-room property by the Coral Sea is made up of a gorgeous, earthy palette in harmony with the coastal and rugged terrain. 'It was important to reinvent the interpretation of an island resort,' designer Carrie Williams told me. 'For me, the perfect Sunday (or any day in the Whitsundays) is a warm day at Catseye beach, diving into the beautiful fresh water, feeling connected to nature and reenergised….that is what I was hoping to bring into the hotel rooms. 'The intent was for the base materiality to warm soft tones, like an extension of the beach. With fresh pops of colour that remind us of those beautiful ocean swims.' Each room also features beautiful artwork by First Nations and Hungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg. 'It was also important to bring a playful energy into the interior while living harmoniously in the space,' Williams added. My room's intuitive design with its unique nature had a surprising effect on me, in the sense that I didn't think it would have any impact at all, but the natural textures and colours helped me feel natural in a room that wasn't my own. And is there anything more important than that when on a holiday? Renowned chefs Josh and Julie Nilend create some of the best food in Australia. Photo / Christopher Pearce These details were not just for my benefit. It was for the planet's, too. Carrie says that environmental sustainability was 'always at the forefront' of her mind. 'For me, the most important factor when designing a sustainable interior is to design to withstand trends. Similar to fast fashion, fast interiors are hugely impactful on the environment.' I appreciated this room also came with crockery: beautiful mugs, plates, and utensils. There was also a sink, nice hand towels and simple cleaning products. If I had more time, I definitely would prepare a charcuterie board with a glass of red and enjoy it on the balcony or the elegant bathtub. For me, this small offer of independence somehow elevated the sense of luxury. (I guess because it felt the opposite of patronising, maybe.) We went for our complimentary breakfast at the Catseye Pool Club, headed by acclaimed chefs and couple Josh and Julie Nilend. Hotel staff expressed how lucky they felt to have them, so I was curious about the food. I chose to have a zucchini frittata-like dish. Now, usually when eating at a new place that I know I'll be going to more than once, I try a few different things. But this dish was, for lack of a better word, romantic. Its texture was incredibly delicate, and the flavours were soft yet distinct. I had it again the next day and again the day after that. I enjoyed zucchini dish pictured on the right was so much that I ordered it three times. Photo / Kara Rosenlund At dinner time, we failed to decide what to order - it all sounded good - so our staff suggested we get a bit of everything. We didn't dare to disagree. I went for a Sundays signature cocktail, the Macadamia & Chocolate. It had Pampero rum, macadamia milk, chocolate liquor and coconut. It felt cosy. 'This is me in a cup,' I told everyone at my table. Yes, I was being my real self. Pointing out a favourite meal is challenging, but the presentation and flavours of the toasted seaweed with perilla, grilled fish bone dashi, and the finger lime ponzu felt poetic. Exploring Qualia The Sundays for me is absolutely grand in the most comfortable and inviting way, but nearby is the island's top-tier adults-only luxury resort: Qualia. And it's proper grand - people like Johnny Depp, Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift and Cate Blanchett have rested here. It said in an infosheet that 'everything has been meticulously considered to relax the mind and completely spoil the senses'. I felt this was true even from just looking at the use of wood (teak, kwila, and spotted gum, for example), which was a stark aesthetic difference from the Sundays. The reason for my presence at Qualia was to get a massage at their luxury spa. Those who know me well know that I am a bit of a massage snob and I'd get one every week if my budget allowed. After hours of air (and land) travel, I was desperate for one of any kind. Spa Qualia is peak luxury. Photo / Sharyn Cairns I admit my expectations were low, only because I am incredibly picky with massages and I know what I like. But as picky as I am, this was a perfect 60-minute massage. It did everything it was meant to - and more. Snorkelling around the heart When afternoon came around, it was time for our 'Journey to the Heart' tour. There are some moments in life, outside of David Attenborough documentaries, that remind you how alive this amazing blue planet is. This was one of those moments. We were picked up from the hotel to a Hamilton Island Air helipad, then helicoptered over the Great Barrier Reef. The climax was flying over the aptly named Heart Reef before snorkelling right next to it. To call it beautiful is severely underrated, so I may not even attempt to describe it. They told me this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was., Checklist HAMILTON ISLAND, AUSTRALIA GETTING THERE Fly from Auckland to Hamilton Island with one stopover in Melbourne or Brisbane with Qantas or Jetstar. DETAILS New Zealand Herald Travel visited courtesy of Tourism Australia. Varsha Anjali is a journalist in the Lifestyle team at the Herald. Based in Auckland, she covers travel, culture and more.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
The verdict on Hamilton Island's first new hotel in 18 years
Designer Carrie Williams, an island resident herself, has reimagined the rooms with a swirl of organic materials, soft curves and coastal tones from nautical blue to sandy beige. The '80s block, freshened with a minor facelift and new coat of peach and white, leans into its retro roots with a Palm Springs aesthetic that plays well with vibrant contemporary artworks by First Nations and Hungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg. Newly landscaped terraced gardens flank the path down to the pool and restaurant – it will flourish into a mini rainforest soon enough. Greenery also factors prominently in Catseye Pool Club, thanks to yawning bi-fold doors that open to a lush lawn, and a long indoor planter dissecting the dining room with a burst of tropical plants. Outside, there's no shortage of sage-hued tables, cabana lounges and umbrella-shaded daybeds for those keen to test the poolside table service. The room Its 59 rooms are split over three levels, and while rooms are more or less identical, there are two main categories: balcony or terrace. I'm staying in a ground-floor terrace room, which can double as a connecting family room and includes an additional single bed at the foot of my king. A private terrace features a lounge, dining table and views of the big blue beyond. Now the fun part – rooms are designed with women in mind (gasp!). Mirrors are enormous and backlit, with two additional Hollywood-style bulbs in the ensuite (I can see every pore!), the vanity bench is double-sized, and oh, the hooks! By my count, eight. Brilliant. The pièce de résistance is a beautiful, giant egg-shaped bath (soaking salts included) with a sliding privacy screen (for optional TV-watching, we assume). The kitchenette is small but mighty, with a microwave, Nespresso machine, kettle and mini-fridge. A mini-bar has the kids (and big kids) covered, with no-sugar lollies and The Everleigh Bottling Co cocktails. You can order breakfast in bed via a TV menu QR-code (though my order doesn't go through on the first attempt). Over-packers are also well catered for with a wardrobe and long suitcase rack with built-in shoe storage drawers; twin yoga mats stashed in the closet are a nice touch. Food + drink Don't fight it – you'll be spending a lot of time by the pool, eating highly addictive souvas (souvlaki stuffed with grilled chicken or Berrima octopus, and stacked with salad, garlic yoghurt and crunchy fries), possibly while sipping a frosty Miami Vice slushy supercharged with rosella, condensed milk and fresh dragon fruit from the impressive native ingredient-driven cocktail list. On the days chef Niland isn't island-side doing his monthly check-ins, you're in good hands with head chef Brad Johnston, who trained under him at Saint Peter. The menu is kid-proof in concept – items like wood-fired pizza bread and wild fish tacos are served deconstructed for fussy eaters, and mains come packaged with a generous assortment of sides to streamline the task of ordering. The seafood is excellent (not exactly a shocker), but non-seafood dishes like whole roast chook with crunchy chicken fat potatoes are among the surprise standouts. In a trend that's catching on at many sustainably focused stays, breakfast is à la carte (meaning less waste). The kitchen's freshly baked croissants are already causing a stir on the island – it has management plotting moves to adopt the same exacting pastry-making approach at other venues. Out + about Watersports gear is free at neighbouring Beach Hut. And while restaurants, bars, retail outlets and scenic hikes abound, it's a great launchpad for some unique off-island experiences. The Journey to the Heart Tour, exclusive to island guests, whisks groups of up to six via helicopter to a private pontoon helipad near the iconic Heart Reef where you can explore the lagoon James Bond-style in glass-bottomed boat, snorkel with turtles and tropical fish, and sip champagne. A new cultural tour by local Ngaro man Robbie Congoo whisks you to Hook Island aboard a luxurious 55-foot motor yacht to view some of the oldest rock paintings and stone quarries in Eastern Australia. The verdict The Sundays might be for families, but with its star restaurant and stylishly luxe rooms, there's a case to be mounted that a stay here is a good idea regardless of parental status. While the Nilands won't be making a Whitsundays sea change anytime soon, their deep involvement in the venue has generated plenty of excitement among staff and visitors. Enough to coax kid-averse holidaymakers into its very stylish, family-friendly dining room? Absolutely. Essentials Our rating out of five ★★★★ Highlight Guests can exchange 'Mer-money' gold coins, deposited in rooms daily, for a free Sundays sundae between 2.30pm-4pm each day from a poolside cart. Cute. Lowlight Our beach-facing glass doors are soundproofed with black-out blinds – unfortunately, the entrance door lets in hallway noise and light via a transom window, with no recourse.
The Age
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
The verdict on Hamilton Island's first new hotel in 18 years
Designer Carrie Williams, an island resident herself, has reimagined the rooms with a swirl of organic materials, soft curves and coastal tones from nautical blue to sandy beige. The '80s block, freshened with a minor facelift and new coat of peach and white, leans into its retro roots with a Palm Springs aesthetic that plays well with vibrant contemporary artworks by First Nations and Hungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg. Newly landscaped terraced gardens flank the path down to the pool and restaurant – it will flourish into a mini rainforest soon enough. Greenery also factors prominently in Catseye Pool Club, thanks to yawning bi-fold doors that open to a lush lawn, and a long indoor planter dissecting the dining room with a burst of tropical plants. Outside, there's no shortage of sage-hued tables, cabana lounges and umbrella-shaded daybeds for those keen to test the poolside table service. The room Its 59 rooms are split over three levels, and while rooms are more or less identical, there are two main categories: balcony or terrace. I'm staying in a ground-floor terrace room, which can double as a connecting family room and includes an additional single bed at the foot of my king. A private terrace features a lounge, dining table and views of the big blue beyond. Now the fun part – rooms are designed with women in mind (gasp!). Mirrors are enormous and backlit, with two additional Hollywood-style bulbs in the ensuite (I can see every pore!), the vanity bench is double-sized, and oh, the hooks! By my count, eight. Brilliant. The pièce de résistance is a beautiful, giant egg-shaped bath (soaking salts included) with a sliding privacy screen (for optional TV-watching, we assume). The kitchenette is small but mighty, with a microwave, Nespresso machine, kettle and mini-fridge. A mini-bar has the kids (and big kids) covered, with no-sugar lollies and The Everleigh Bottling Co cocktails. You can order breakfast in bed via a TV menu QR-code (though my order doesn't go through on the first attempt). Over-packers are also well catered for with a wardrobe and long suitcase rack with built-in shoe storage drawers; twin yoga mats stashed in the closet are a nice touch. Food + drink Don't fight it – you'll be spending a lot of time by the pool, eating highly addictive souvas (souvlaki stuffed with grilled chicken or Berrima octopus, and stacked with salad, garlic yoghurt and crunchy fries), possibly while sipping a frosty Miami Vice slushy supercharged with rosella, condensed milk and fresh dragon fruit from the impressive native ingredient-driven cocktail list. On the days chef Niland isn't island-side doing his monthly check-ins, you're in good hands with head chef Brad Johnston, who trained under him at Saint Peter. The menu is kid-proof in concept – items like wood-fired pizza bread and wild fish tacos are served deconstructed for fussy eaters, and mains come packaged with a generous assortment of sides to streamline the task of ordering. The seafood is excellent (not exactly a shocker), but non-seafood dishes like whole roast chook with crunchy chicken fat potatoes are among the surprise standouts. In a trend that's catching on at many sustainably focused stays, breakfast is à la carte (meaning less waste). The kitchen's freshly baked croissants are already causing a stir on the island – it has management plotting moves to adopt the same exacting pastry-making approach at other venues. Out + about Watersports gear is free at neighbouring Beach Hut. And while restaurants, bars, retail outlets and scenic hikes abound, it's a great launchpad for some unique off-island experiences. The Journey to the Heart Tour, exclusive to island guests, whisks groups of up to six via helicopter to a private pontoon helipad near the iconic Heart Reef where you can explore the lagoon James Bond-style in glass-bottomed boat, snorkel with turtles and tropical fish, and sip champagne. A new cultural tour by local Ngaro man Robbie Congoo whisks you to Hook Island aboard a luxurious 55-foot motor yacht to view some of the oldest rock paintings and stone quarries in Eastern Australia. The verdict The Sundays might be for families, but with its star restaurant and stylishly luxe rooms, there's a case to be mounted that a stay here is a good idea regardless of parental status. While the Nilands won't be making a Whitsundays sea change anytime soon, their deep involvement in the venue has generated plenty of excitement among staff and visitors. Enough to coax kid-averse holidaymakers into its very stylish, family-friendly dining room? Absolutely. Essentials Our rating out of five ★★★★ Highlight Guests can exchange 'Mer-money' gold coins, deposited in rooms daily, for a free Sundays sundae between 2.30pm-4pm each day from a poolside cart. Cute. Lowlight Our beach-facing glass doors are soundproofed with black-out blinds – unfortunately, the entrance door lets in hallway noise and light via a transom window, with no recourse.
