Hamilton Island. If the very name conjures images in your head of exclusive resorts populated by genetically blessed folks quaffing Moet beside private pools with expansive ocean views, you could be forgiven for thinking HI might be out of your budget. HI certainly has options for those with money to burn, but trust me, you don’t need to be Ritchie Rich to enjoy this stunning tropical paradise. While it’s not a budget destination, you can secure a bed for the night that won’t leave you destitute. The Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island offer a very comfortable home away from home that will leave enough dollars left over to explore everything Queensland’s world-famous Whitsundays has to offer. Read on for all the details …
Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island Overview
The Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island are beachfront on beautiful Catseye Beach in the middle of HI, just a short distance from the main resort centre. The complex consists of spacious 1 bedroom apartments that sleep up to 5 people spread over 2 wings and 14 floors. You can choose between garden view, sea view and deluxe coral sea view apartments. Facilities are a little light on but the fabulous location means you are never very far from the action. Apartments start at roughly $250 a night and if you book your stay at through Expedia you have the comfort of their price match guarantee. To make sure you get the best possible deals on your flights check out my tips on securing a bargain flight first.
Apartments
We chose a Coral Sea view room which set us back AUD$1000 for four nights. The garden view rooms would have been $100 less but in my view it was worth every penny for the upgrade. The views are sublime and without a doubt the best feature of Whitsunday Apartments. I spent mornings relaxing on the sun lounge on my spacious balcony watching the rays dance across the crystal clear waters of Cateseye Bay. Life sure is tough here.
The apartments are expansive with a generous balcony, separate bedroom, combined living/dining room, full kitchen and three-way bathroom. The three divans make sleeping 5 possible but as The Hubs and I were on our own, we could spread out with ease. While we were only here for a short break, the extra space would be a blessing for longer stays.
The bedroom was perfectly functional. My only niggle was that the bed was a little firm for my liking and I woke up somewhat stiff each morning. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you don’t need to close the blinds on the internal window. Early morning sunlight streams through first thing so if you have left your living room curtains open overnight this will definitely impact your slumber. Pull down the blind and close all the doors if you want to sleep past 7am. Somewhat bizarrely there is a sink in the middle of the room. While this seemed strange at first, it came in handy when Mr SFH claimed it as his, freeing me up to spread my shit necessities all over the one in the bathroom. The third divan is in the bedroom meaning that if you do choose the sleep five option you will forgo privacy.
The kitchen has clearly been recently updated and seems somewhat out of step with the rest of the apartment but I certainly appreciated the sleek, modern area. Make sure you wrap food tightly so the ants can’t get in. We found this out the hard way and kept EVERYTHING in the fridge from that moment on. If your fridge is looking a little empty you can order beer and wine from reception which is delivered right to your door for no extra cost. Of course I took indulged :). If the kitchen is the star of the show, the bathroom is most certainly the poor cousin. Sadly the renovations did not make it this far and the flooring, fixtures and fittings are all incredibly dated. The greenie in me wishes they would at least add a dual flush toilet given this is so wasteful on our precious water resources. Intermittent blasts of hot water mid shower means you hand will be constantly hovering over the tap so quick adjustments can be made to prevent scalding. The apartments are only serviced every four days but you can have towels replaced in between if needed.
The divans in the living room double as sleeping space for two more guests if required but allowed the two of us to spread out comfortably. The decor could do with an update (particularly the wall art) but it didn’t retract from our stay. The one negative is that the TV was rather small for how far away from the seating area it is and the remote did not work, which we did tell reception about on check out. As is often the case with hotels, the lighting was a little lack lustre and an overhead light to supplement the two lamps would have been most welcome.
We didn’t actually cook anything during our stay so the dining room was a little wasted in terms of its primary function, it did however make a fantastic makeshift office for me. For others that might need to do a little work on vacation be aware that there is NO wi-fi in the rooms so you will need to have a data card or hot spot off your phone to keep connected.
If you want to keep your room looking exactly as you left it remember to keep your balcony door firmly closed when you go out as our native feathered friends are not adverse to paying your kitchen a visit and they can be quite destructive!
Facilities
Facilities at Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island are limited but you do have an exclusive pool and heated spa plus the use of three other pools throughout the island. Just be careful of the pebblecrete around the spa which is diabolical on tender bare feet. There are no restaurants on site but you can order from Coles Online who will deliver your groceries so you can cook up a storm. How cool is that! While there is no wi-fi in the rooms you can avail of the free connection in the lobby if you are desperate.
Reception closes quite early (7pm), so make sure you get everything you need done before then, including stocking up on toilet paper so you don’t run out like we did! Basic snacks and drinks are available and you will also need to grab your pool/beach towels from the staff behind the desk. Coffee lovers will be pleased to know there is a cart open each morning to grab your caffeine fix only steps from the lift.
The main form of transport on Hamilton Island is the humble golf buggy and Whitsunday Apartments provide plenty of space to park your beast with an abundance of power points to keep you running. All three complimentary shuttle buses stop right at the door should you choose public transport instead. Complimentary airport/ferry transfers are included to make for fuss free arrivals and departures.
Final Thoughts
OK so 5 star it is not, but we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island. We had everything we needed and nothing we didn’t. The apartments are the perfect home away from home for a couple or a small family and I wouldn’t hesitate to return. $250 a night might buy you a lot more in other places around the globe but by Hamilton Island standards this is an absolute bargain and leaves some cash left over to enjoy the many activities on offer. We loved our sunset cruise aboard On The Edge (click the link for my full review), it was the perfect way to see one of the most magical sunsets I have ever experienced. If you are from the Southern states of Australia, Hamilton Island is the perfect winter getaway and when we visited in June, the temperatures were still hovering around 26c each day, which means you can still enjoy a swim in the beautiful blue waters of The Great Barrier Reef without those pesky stingers messing with your day. Book your stay now through Expedia and you could be having fun in the sun before you know it!
So will you consider Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island for your next visit? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Until Next Time …
Disclaimer: My stay at the Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island was not sponsored and as always, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links for which a small commission may be paid.
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Diana - MVMT Blog says
I love reading your posts about the Hamilton Islands because it’s actually somewhere I’d never even heard of before finding your blog. I would absolutely stay here if I got the chance to visit. The design looks simple, sleek and modern, just the way I like it. For me, when visiting islands, I always look for accommodation with balconies because I want to take advantage of the beautiful weather. The Whitsundays Apts looks like it has it all! Thanks for sharing.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Yes the balcony was perfect for lazy morning Diana. I’m so glad we had it ?
Vicki Louise says
I love your ‘at a glance’ infographic – lets you know at a glance what you’re getting! And love the view from your room – definitely worth the extra $100 above the Garden Suite – just stunning!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Thanks Vicki. Absolutely $100 well spent ?
Gina says
First off, thank you for how honest you were! I would be super annoyed if there was no wifi! It’s a necessity these days! I really enjoyed hearing a true opinion of this place and the coolest part about it was its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef. I heard it recently was pronounced dead, but were you still able to see some beautiful coral?
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
We didn’t go diving this time Gina but have on many previous visits. Dead is probably a bit harsh but it is certainly in danger. There are still many wonderful places to dive and snorkel on the GBR ?
Kassie says
This place looks lovely! The Whitsundays are definitely on my bucket list so I will have to keep this place in mind. The bird warning made me chuckle. Who knew parrots could be so destruction 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Lol Kassie these guys can truly be a menace but they look so pretty so you can’t help forgive them lol
sabrina says
I recently visited the East Coast and the Whitsundays, but decided not to stop for an overnight stay on Hamilton… I quite regret it, but I am sure I will be back one day and maybe I will stay here too! 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Hope you had a great time in the Whitsundays Sabrina. I’ve been to a few of the islands and Hamilton is always a favourite.
Janine Good says
This looks like a lovely place to stay! My husband is from Sydney and has really talked up Hamilton Island as he lived there for a short time. The downfall of no wifi in the rooms would not be good for me as I need access to my computer and emails. I do like the fact that the bed is firm as soft beds do not work for my back.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
The wi-fi I though was strange but as I could hot spot is was not a big deal for me. The bed thing is so personal. I like soft any day ?
Melissa | Parenthood and Passports says
This would be perfect for my family! Since we travel with a child who goes to bed quite early, I have come to love the idea of renting apartments or hotels with a separate living area. It allows us to stay up past 7pm when or daughter goes to bed. And kitchens allow us to keep all the baby necessities like milk and snacks.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I remember this days Melissa lol. And waking up at 5.30am on the dot and wanting to go straight to the pool ?
Rashmi & Chalukya says
We usually prefer staying in apartments when we travel s we feel them more comfortable than hotel. Loved your review on HI. Seems to be a perfect vacation with beautiful views.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
The views were very special Rashmi and while we didn’t cook while we were there (lazy I know lol) we enjoyed having a full sized fridge and the extra room an apartment offers ?
Lauren West says
I also can’t stand beds that are too firm, which is a huge problem here in Korea, where all the beds are firm. Other than that, though, these apartments look like a fantastic place to stay on Hamilton Island. That pool looks so relaxing! Loved your review!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Thanks Lauren. The beds kill me in Thailand! This one was not as bad as that lol. I think a bed is such a personal thing, there are probably a tonne of people out there who would love it ?
Faith says
This has me dreaming of a vacation!! Great pictures.
xx
Faith
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Thanks Faith!
Camille Abbott says
Hey Allison, your post is very timely as me and my family are counting down the days until we holiday on HTI! Good to know about the pebblecrete. 😉
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Awesome Camille! Hope you have a fantastic time. I’ll be doing a posts on Hamilton Island over the next few weeks so stop by again soon for more info. ?
Victoria says
I’m going to the Whitsunday Islands in September so I really appreciate your insight on the apartments! I’m kind of looking forward to not having any wifi because it will make me relax and be more present in the moment 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Victoria the weather will be perfect in September. Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Heidi Erickson says
Looks like a lovely apartment complex but I don’t think it’s worth $250 – especially since the amenities seemed like they kind lacked. Also no WiFi – thumbs down.
Though like you said it’s a bargain for that area and it does look like it has a nice beach! 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
The cost is definitely up there for what you get but when you put it into context of what is available on the island it is value for money. HI one if the gateway points to The Great Barrier Reef which is a massive tourist draw card so while the ocean is the draw card the beach isn’t necessarily. The are more budget options for accommodation in the mainland (Shute Harbour and Airlie Beach) but if you want to stay on an island this is a good option compared to the alternatives. I agree with the no wi-fi. This would be a simple fix!
Grace Liang says
Very details review! I can’t imagine the birds will broke in to search food. 😉
Thank you so much for linking up with us. Don’t forget to come back every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to link up with me again!
Take care and keep in touch! 🙂
Grace
http://colorandgrace.com
Adriele Dixon says
Allison,
Loved the post and desperate for a beach vacation. Toting a toddler around doesn’t seem ideal though. 🙁 This vacation looked lovely! Although I might die without wi-fi. (But I think that’s sort of the point of a vacation… to NOT be in your devices all the time!) Those views were STUNNING! I’m glad you had a good time!
-Adriele
StyleAssisted.com
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Thanks Adriele. Do it now before you have another one!!!! My boys were quite the jet setters and I survived lol … There was a hairy moment with Mr 4 at the top of the Eiffel Tower though … I say just do it!