The Sundays opens its doors on Hamilton Island

The new 59-room boutique hotel introduces a family-friendly luxury option for travellers to Hamilton Island, with coastal design and exclusive guest experiences

Hamilton Island has welcomed the opening of The Sundays, a 59-room boutique hotel positioned metres from the Coral Sea. The property introduces a family-friendly, relaxed, design-led accommodation to the much-loved island located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef

Accommodation

The Sundays offers 59 guest rooms, each with either a private balcony or terrace overlooking the surrounding landscape. Interiors are designed with both couples and families in mind, featuring soft coastal tones and premium amenities tailored to a broad range of travellers, including children.

According to Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling, the new addition reflects a particular style of Australian hospitality. “The Sundays brings something truly special to Hamilton Island – an elevated boutique escape that welcomes families and reflects the warm, laidback, uniquely Australian style of hospitality Hamilton Island is known for,” he said.

Design

Designed by Carrie Williams, the hotel is embedded in its tropical surrounds with sculptural stonework, native gardens and a boardwalk that leads to a private guest-only beach. Natural textures and a muted colour palette run throughout, complemented by commissioned works from artist Tiarna Herczeg, whose pieces draw inspiration from both First Nations storytelling and the colours of the Whitsundays.

Guests at The Sundays can access a number of exclusive experiences, including complimentary sunrise yoga, moonlit outdoor films, and daily ice cream offerings by the pool. The location also provides convenient access to some of the region’s most recognisable natural landmarks, including Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef.

Experiences

The hotel has been developed on the site of one of Hamilton Island’s original properties, with a focus on capturing the nostalgia of long-time visitors while meeting the expectations of today’s travellers. “Many of our guests first visited Hamilton Island as children, and now they’re returning with their own children and grandchildren to experience the magic all over again,” said Dowling.

Dining

At the centre of the property is Catseye Pool Club, a new restaurant and bar from sustainable gastronomy trailblazers best known for award winning Sydney restaurant, Saint Peter, Josh and Julie Niland. Open for lunch and dinner to all island visitors, the venue focuses on seasonal Australian produce and share-style dishes. A separate breakfast service is reserved exclusively for guests of The Sundays. The drinks program, led by Sam Cocks – also formerly of Saint Peter Bar – includes a curated cocktail list designed for relaxed poolside afternoons or evening sundowners overlooking the Coral Sea.

As a five-star, family-friendly hotel, The Sundays represents a rounding-out of Hamilton Island’s accommodation portfolio, which includes four-star family-friendly hotels, self-contained holiday homes, the adults-only Beach Club, and adults-only luxury retreat qualia.

“The Sundays is part of Hamilton Island’s ongoing evolution – reimagined for today’s traveller on the site of one of the island’s original hotels,” Dowling said. “Over the years we’ve evolved our accommodation, dining, and experiences to reflect what our guests are looking for. Those who’ve been returning for decades know that you don’t need to travel far to tick off a bucket-list destination – the Great Barrier Reef is right here on our doorstep.”