FALL SALE: Save up to $1,058 on our trips! Limited spots. Book Now.

The Best Hotels to Book on Hamilton Island, Australia

No expense is spared at the luxurious qualia on Hamilton Island
No expense is spared at the luxurious qualia on Hamilton Island | © Richard Glover-VIEW / Alamy Stock Photo

Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia, lies Hamilton Island. Surrounded by the Great Barrier reef and gateway to the dreamy Whitsundays, with endless white-sand beaches, teal waters and abundant wildlife such as green turtles and humpback whales, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the top holiday spots in the country. Here’s our pick of the best hotels on Hamilton Island – all bookable on Culture Trip.

Whitsunday Apartments, for a huge balcony

Hotel

Room at Whitsunday Apartments with a balcony and view over the sea
Courtesy of Whitsunday Apartments / Expedia

The open-plan apartments at Whitsunday Apartments are a symphony of muted natural tones and materials such as wood and wicker, and feature large balconies with views of the blue sky, gardens and the sparkling Coral Sea. The outdoor pool may tempt you out of your apartment, but while you’re out, why not walk two minutes further to the beautiful, palm-lined Catseye Beach?

Reef View Hotel, for sublime sea views

Hotel, Luxury

Room at Reef View Hotel with a balcony and view over the sea
Courtesy of Reef View Hotel / Expedia

Turquoise ocean-scene murals hang above the beds at the towering Reef View Hotel, reminding you to make good use of the windsurfing gear and paddleboards included in your stay. Every light-filled room is a winner here, blessed with a balcony overlooking the tropical garden or across to the Coral Sea. Locations don’t come much better than this, just across the road from the shallow bay of Catseye Beach. On lazy days, lounge by the palm-fringed pool and sample some famous Australian beers.

qualia, for elegant escapism

Boutique Hotel, Resort

Room at qualia with a view over the sea
Courtesy of qualia / Expedia

Right at the northernmost tip of the island, luxury Hamilton Island resort qualia offers no-expense-spared opulence. The resort sits within large native gardens, with the clear Whitsundays water sparkling through the palm fronds. And the rooms? You’ll find expansive pavilions lined with wood and stone, with floor-to-ceiling windows; many include a private plunge pool and deep-soaking tub, and each room comes with a buggy for jetting between the two infinity pools. Hamilton Island accommodation doesn’t come much fancier than this.

Palm Bungalows, for a stay among the eucalyptus trees

Lodge

Room at Palm Bungalows
Courtesy of Palm Bungalows / Expedia

Take your pick of these cute A-frame bungalows, hugged by a thick jungle of eucalyptus trees, just moments from Catseye Beach. Each features a contemporary studio-style interior, including a kitchenette for cooking up easy snacks and a hammock-strung balcony – the best place to enjoy the balmy weather. You’ll share the facilities of the Reef View Hotel next door, meaning a day on a catamaran is in order. Here, you’re also a couple of minutes’ walk from the wildlife-rich Hamilton Island Wildlife park, where you’ll get to ooh and aah at Australian marsupials, snakes, lizards, koalas and kangaroos.

Hamilton Island Holiday Homes, for flexible living space

Serviced Apartment

Room at Hamilton Island Holiday Homes with a terrace and sea view
Courtesy of Hamilton Island Holiday Homes / Expedia

For flexible living space, whether you’re travelling solo or as a couple, family or group, Hamilton Island Holiday Homes offers great flexible accommodation. Most options come with a view of the Coral Sea and a private pool, and if you’re bringing kids, they not only stay for free, they eat for free too. Everyone will love the sea-focussed activities such as windsurfing and snorkelling under the Australian sun. When the kids – or you – are tired after an exhausting day of fun, jump in the golf buggy and zip around the island for some restful sightseeing.

Beach Club, for adults-only elegance

Boutique Hotel

Room at Beach Club with a view over the sea
Courtesy of Beach Club / Expedia

Sitting right on Catseye Beach, yet sheltered from the hubbub by a palm grove, the Beach Club offers the best of both worlds. Aussie designers Hare + Klein have styled the interiors in a mix of neutral and marine tones, with egg-shaped tubs in the bathrooms. Spend the balmy evenings at the beachfront restaurant enthusing over modern Queensland cuisine.

Nick Dauk contributed additional reporting to this article.

Culture Trip Fall Sale

Save up to $1,058 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

toast-message-image
close-ad
Edit article