As I sat sipping my complimentary champagne, in the reception of the Beach Club hotel, with sweeping views out to the infinity pool, and beyond to the sea, I was reminded how blessed I am. And everything I have to be grateful for.
Met on arrival at Hamilton Island airport by the effervescent Beach Club staff, we were soon whisked off, in air-conditioned comfort, without even a thought for collecting our checked in bag. In fact, the next time we saw it was in our room. It got there before we did by some kind of island magic.
Having only 57 rooms, you may wonder how we managed to end up in room 211. Yeah, I’m not sure either. The Beach Club is split over two levels, and our room was upstairs, with a view that was simply breathtaking. Lulled to sleep, and gently woken in the morning, by the sound of waves lightly lapping the shore, which was almost within touching distance, this really was a slice of paradise.
Long being a fan of buying experiences over “things”, the holiday started in style. Lounge access, priority boarding, and some excellent Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, so good I had to try a second glass, to complement our light lunch. Confirming that I had made the right decision in taking Qantas up on their offer to upgrade to business class for our flight from Sydney. It may seem rather extravagant for a flight of just over 2 hours, but this was a birthday celebration we weren’t going to forget.
Hamilton Island is located in the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, just off the coast of Airlie Beach. Only a short hop by flight from Sydney, planes arrive at the small airport, the only commercial airport in the Whitsunday Islands. So small is the Island, that from landing, to being at your hotel is only a matter of minutes.
The whole island is owned by Bob Oatley and his family. More famous for making wine, the Oatley’s own and run the vast majority of the accommodation on the island, which is used almost exclusively for tourism. That said, it is becoming an increasingly attractive place for people to retire to, and I did browse the real estate windows, considering never returning to the big city. Anybody got a spare couple of million dollars?
As the island is on the Great Barrier reef, the snorkelling is great, even just walking in from the beach, which is what we did. Imagine our surprise when we suddenly came across a gargantuan sea turtle, swimming along, in the shallow depths. The coral here is not as vivid as what can be seen much further out, but for an afternoon, just splashing around, we saw enough to keep us transfixed.
And it is not just in the water that you get close up and personal with the wildlife. Early morning, and as dusk settles in, the wallabies come out to play. Grazing in, and around the hotel grounds, it is obvious the wallabies couldn’t care less about you, and just want to get on living their lives alongside their fellow islanders.
Should you want to get a little more active during your stay, try out one of the many bush trails. Of the whole island, only 25% is developed, leaving many, many kilometers of walking tracks, where you can find some amazing hidden bays. If you want to spoil a good walk, you could take your clubs across the water, to Dent Island, and try your luck on the 18 hole Championship golf course.
The sunsets on Hamilton are wondrous, and there is only one place to be come sunset. One Tree Hill is on everybody’s “must do” list whilst on the island. And when we arrived, it looked as though the rest of the island were already there. Up here, earlier in the day, it was very quiet, with nary a golf buggy in sight. But coming back for sun down, chauffeur driven from the hotel no less, the road up was lined, literally lined with buggy after buggy. Thankfully, we had packed a couple of cold beers, so we fit in perfectly with the live music, and party vibe as we bid farewell to the day, and gently eased into the evening.
As no private vehicles are allowed on the island, the ubiquitous electric golf buggy is the only way to get around. The island is small, and walk-able, but in the Queensland heat, you soon want to take it a little easier. Hired by the hour, or the day, buggies are a constant sight around the island, never really going fast enough to make you feel you had to be constantly alert when wandering around. This was the first time I had driven one, and it took me a while to get used to how slow you go. A little like driving a dodgem at the fairground. Turn the key, press the “F” button, and press hard on the accelerator. How to reverse? Just as simple. Press the “R” button instead.
The Beach Club hotel could not be in a better location. Right on the beach, funnily enough. With an infinity pool framed by large palm trees. Fancy a change? Then there are loungers on the private beach, with staff from the hotel only too happy to bring you a cold beer when things get too hot.
But all that being said, the key selling point for me, the thing that made me part with my hard-earned cash, was the fact that the Beach Club is an adults only hotel. And it is only when you leave the hotel, and see just how many families with children there are on the island, you really appreciate the peace, and serenity of the Beach Club. Worth every single dollar.
Sustainability is a big thing on Hamilton Island, and this comes through in the little things. Each guest at the Beach Club is provided with a refillable bottle, that can be refilled constantly at the hotel’s filtered water station. Still and sparkling. And any straw that is used is paper. Why do you even need straws you may ask? For the fancy cocktails, obviously. Although, I did have problems finishing my pina colada as my paper straw disintegrated.
Food is a highlight of any trip, and this was no exception. Dinner was had twice at the hotel restaurant, and was excellent on both occasions. Served where we had our daily breakfasts, fringing the beach, it really was food with a view.
On our first evening we had the degustation menu, trying such delights as house cured salmon, Malaysian style coconut cream curry, and house made limoncello as a palate cleanser (which was delicious). For our final night on the island we went a la carte, and I had one of the best dishes I have ever had. Ever. Anywhere. It was the tagliolini, with barramundi, mussels, and lots more. Oh my. Words fail me.
Would I go back to Hamilton Island? In a heartbeat. Would I stay at the Beach Club again? I wouldn’t even think of staying anywhere else. Right now I am looking at a fairly packed 2019 calendar, trying to work out where I could squeeze in a return visit.
Leave a Reply