In a teaser of what’s to come when the InterContinental Hayman Island opens in under a month, Luxury Travel has had an exclusive first look at the refurbished Whitsundays luxury resort
Luxury Travel was among an exclusive group of just nine Australian media who were the first in the world to witness the brand new Hayman Island by InterContinental yesterday.
In a whirlwind return day trip from Sydney to the idyllic Aussie isle, the ultra-luxury media preview was the ultimate tease of what guests can expect when the Hayman Island property opens its doors for the first time in two years on 1st July.
InterContinental Hayman Island Resort has released just nine images of the new luxury resort – one to each of the media in attendance – following the resort preview, as the anticipation and suspense for this iconic Australian resort reaches fever pitch.
Starting the day with a private jet journey from Sydney to Hamilton Island, Luxury Travel experienced the hotel brand’s brand new luxury boat, which will transport guests in an hour-long voyage to Hayman Island ($210 per person, one way), before being whisked around the resort on Hayman Island ‘limousines’ (8-seater golf buggies) and up the hill to the lavish Hayman Residences.
The Hayman Island Residences are a collection of luxury private residences that are available to rent for those who want to experience a more private piece of paradise on Hayman Island. Perched on the hilltops of the island overlooking its iconic bay, the residences have full access to all the resort’s facilities. Two Hayman Island Residences have already sold for approximately $20 million AUD each.
With a lunch setting out on the vista-filled Residence balcony, media in attendance along with Resort Manager Mark Eletr and key InterContinental representatives were then treated to a culinary journey that took them through the resort’s five food and beverage facilities.
At the helm of the exclusive gastronomic preview was Joshua Dows, Director of Restaurants and Bars, and Director of Kitchens, Erwin Joven, who cooked up a five-course feast – each showcasing the flavour profile of a different Hayman Island restaurant – along with matching cocktails and wines.
Joven explained that as part of the resort’s “mindful indulgence” ethos, the produce served at all of the resorts is sourced as locally as possible, including freshly-caught seafood and Australian-sourced wines.
InterContinental Hayman Island Resort’s distinct dining scene includes Italian restaurant Amici Trattoria, PanAsian joint Bam Bam, the resort’s signature, brasserie-style bar-restaurant Pacific and the poolside, seafood-focused AQUA.
The immersive foodie journey included:
- Chilled Carrot, Ginger and Avocaod Soup, paired with an arrival Bellini
- Amici’s Antipasti Share Platter, paired with a Negroni or Boulevardier
- Bam Bam’s Roast Duck Rice Paper Rolls, paired with a spicy Pac Man cocktail
- Aqua’s Chilled Seafood Platter including Moreton Bay bugs, paired with a Bimbadgen Signature Vineyard Semillon
- Pacific’s Grilled Tomahawk Steak, paired with Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir or S.C. Pannell Tempranillo- Touriga
- Seasonal fruits, artisan cheeses and gourmet chocolates, paired with an Espresso Martini
Following a final tipple at Coconut Grove, the group bid farewell to Hayman Island by InterContinental from the air, as two helicopters transferred media back to Hamilton Island for the private jet journey back to Sydney.
InterContinental by Hayman Island’s concierge can arrange ultra-luxury transportation like private jet and helicopter transfers for guests on request. Reservations for Hayman Island by InterContinental are now open. More to come over the next month.