Hayman Island: a new era in luxury

Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
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Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Whitsundays, iconic private island experiences and sacred moments of connection with family and friends at the new InterContinental Hayman Island Resort.

 

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort welcomed a new era in luxury after launching on 1 July 2019. Heli-tours over Heart Reef, basking in infinity pools, snorkelling alongside green turtles, indulging in culinary artistry and soulful spa treatments are just the beginning at this idyllic, luxury island resort in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

Hayman Island
An aerial view of the new InterContinental Hayman Island Resort.

See the icons

Nestled at the northernmost point of Australia’s Whitsunday archipelago on a two-kilometre crescent-shaped stretch of stunning white-sand beach, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort places you moments away from Langford Island, Bali Hai, Blue Pearl Bay and Hook Island, and gives you direct access to the reef’s icons thanks to exclusive partnerships with Ocean Dynamics and Helireef. Spend the day diving or snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, or take a signature day tour to Whitehaven Beach where you can leave footprints on some of the world’s whitest sand.

 

The Ocean Dynamics suite of signature experiences includes Sea Scooter underwater tours, guided jet-ski adventures, a range of diving experiences, glass-bottom boat cruises around Hayman Island’s bays and more. A collection of luxury vessels are also available for sunset sails, island escapades and private charters. Alternatively, explore the Whitsunday Islands by air on a private helicopter tour with Helireef.

Helireef, Whitsundays
explore the Whitsunday Islands by air on a private helicopter tour with Helireef.

Redefining luxury

Envisioned by DBI Designs, DAARC and KY Design, the resort seamlessly blends sophisticated ocean-facing accommodation with lush garden sanctuaries, spectacular pools, panoramic seascapes and tropical gardens. Three distinct wings of guest rooms, suites and villas hug the island coastline, allowing guests to choose their own experience: the Lagoon wing offers garden vistas and lily-padded inlets; the Pool wing overlooks the iconic Hayman Pool with swim-out access available; and the Beach wing is home to eight exclusive beachfront villas and retreats, and the resort’s premium Three Bedroom Hayman Beach House.

 

Each of the 168 rooms are a perfect balance of intuitive design – including state-of-the-art energy-conserving suite control – and impeccable taste and furnishings. The premium suite collection is accented by the new Three Bedroom Hayman Beach House and two Hayman Residences designed by multi-award-winning architect Kerry Hill.

Hayman Residences, Hayman Island
The double-storey Hayman Residences are perched on the island’s picturesque hilltop, providing absolute privacy from the resort.

The Three Bedroom Hayman Beach House boasts modern design-led interiors with open-living including a private dining and living room, outdoor alfresco entertaining areas and private pool access in each stunning bedroom. The double-storey Hayman Residences don’t disappoint, either. Perched on the island’s picturesque hilltop, they provide absolute privacy from the resort without sacrificing access to the resort’s facilities.

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Action-packed island experiences

There’s plenty to keep you entertained in each wing, including two iconic swimming pools, Hayman Beach and the adults’-only Coconut Beach. Improve your serve on the court with a lesson courtesy of the resort’s pro tennis coach, or check out the state-of-the art gym facilities and classes, dedicated water activities centre, fishing vessels or golf simulator. For a little pampering, visit Hayman Hair Salon or indulge in a bespoke Sodashi treatment in one of 11 treatments rooms before sinking into the Spa Oasis’s plunge pool and sauna.

Hayman Island
There’s plenty to keep you entertained at InterContinental Hayman Island Resort.

Little ones can discover an island paradise of their own in the world-class InterContinental Planet Trekkers Kids Club. The Club’s daily program of activities is designed to connect little InterContinental travellers (between the ages of four and 12) to the beauty of the Whitsundays and their island location – think seashell painting, sandcastle-making and water bucket relays. On-island babysitting services are also available for parents indulging in a private dining experience, spa treatment or island escapade.

Distinct dining with a local flavour

You’ll find an eclectic mix of gastronomic experiences and local flavours on the island, including the resort’s signature restaurant and bar Pacific, as well as poolside bar Aqua, Amici Trattoria, Bam Bam and Grove Boutique & Cafe. The latter is Hayman’s all-new daytime eatery and mecca of luxury retail brands, souvenirs and holiday essentials that would be right at home in the Hamptons. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast with a view at Pacific’s ocean-facing dining room or indulge in its premium seafood buffet on Tuesday and Friday nights as the sun sets. Amici Trattoria is the island’s modern Italian option.

Bam Bam, Hayman Island
Bam Bam is just one of the gastronomic experiences you can have on the island.

The resort also offers a collection of private dining experiences, inviting guests to dine under the stars at Hayman Beach and Coconut Beach, in private cabanas or beachside hideaways on the island, or at nearby islands with a gourmet picnic in tow.

Hayman Island
Dinner in a private cabanas is one of the resort’s collection of private dining experiences.

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A commitment to sustainability

Safeguarding and protecting the island and its neighbouring reef ecosystems was an important part in the island’s refurbishment. From supplying guests with environmentally-friendly, reef-safe We Are Feel Good Inc. products, to offering complimentary, reusable water bottles to be refilled at filtered water stations around the resort, to a ban on single-use plastics, this commitment to the environment has evolved to become part of the guest experience. The resort has also invested in equipment that recycles glass bottles for use in the garden and committed to reducing paper waste with the introduction of in-room iPads in lieu of printed compendiums.

 

Discover the visceral beauty of InterContinental Hayman Island Resort and leave feeling transformed. For more information about the resort and to book, please contact our reservations team on +61 07 5501 9992 or Hayman.reservations@ihg.com. Alternatively, visit the website for more information.

 

 

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Intercontinental Hayman Island
Hayman Island

A night in the new InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef

An idyllic island bounces back to be better than ever with the resurrection of an Australian icon.

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8 reasons to book a stay at the reimagined Reefworld now

    Imogen Eveson Imogen Eveson
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    Cruise Whitsundays’ famous Reefworld has undergone a complete transformation – here’s why it has become one of Australia’s most extraordinary places to spend the night.

    Imagine sleeping under the stars or beneath the sea, snorkelling vibrant coral gardens, and enjoying a dining experience that wouldn’t feel out of place at a top restaurant – all from a pontoon moored on the Great Barrier Reef. In a country that excels at extraordinary, immersive travel experiences, the reimagined Reefworld in Queensland’s Whitsundays has joined the upper echelons.

    Cruise Whitsundays has unveiled an extensive transformation of Reefworld, its pontoon permanently moored at Hardy Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef.

    First opened in 2019, Reefworld is home to the famous underwater Reefsuites – Australia’s first underwater hotel – and was originally designed as a dual-purpose pontoon for both day visitors and overnight guests.

    Now, it has been transformed into an overnight-only experience, giving guests exclusive access to the pontoon and the reef, with more space, greater comfort and a more immersive way to experience this unique environment.

    The transformation forms part of Journey Beyond’s $40 million investment in responsible reef tourism in the region.

    Read on for eight reasons to book a stay at the reimagined Reefworld now.

    1. A scenic cruise through the Whitsundays

    cruise whitsundays boat on Great Barrier Reef Adventure tour
    Start with a cruise of the gorgeous Whitsundays.

    Your journey to Reefworld begins with a scenic cruise through the Whitsundays: dark-green islands daubed on an endless expanse of blue. Welcome to Ngaro Sea Country.

    Departing Port of Airlie, Daydream Island or Hamilton Island, a high-speed catamaran with priority boarding for Reefworld guests will whisk you across the Coral Sea to the outer reef.

    From next year, a new 35-metre catamaran will join the Cruise Whitsundays fleet, featuring an exclusive-use lounge area reserved for Reefworld guests. Snacks and refreshments are available onboard.

    Depending on the time of year, migrating humpback whales may pass you on your journey.

    2. A sense of arrival

    aerial view of new cruise whitsunday reefworld pontoon
    Watch as your home on the reef rolls into view.

    Around two hours after leaving Hamilton Island, the Reefworld pontoon shimmers into view on the horizon.

    As you sail closer towards Hardy Reef – where the pontoon is permanently moored – your home for the next 27 hours comes into focus, including the plush new beds where Reefsleep guests will spend the night. Anticipation builds for the unique experience to come.

    The everyday world slips away as you alight the catamaran and step onto the pontoon. Now exclusively reserved for up to 36 overnight guests at a time, it has undergone an extensive transformation.

    The sense of space, peace and quiet is palpable as you’re welcomed with a cold non-alcoholic drink. Dab your brow with a refreshing cold towel and take in the stillness – interrupted only by the sound of flying fish slapping the water’s surface.

    From the moment you arrive in the late morning, the whole place is yours to enjoy. Reefworld has been redeveloped with considered spaces designed to help you make the most of your downtime.

    On the lower deck, you’ll find a bar serving tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, alongside comfy lounge areas where you can sit back and take in mesmerising reef views.

    Spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxed in the knowledge that you don’t have to leave again until tomorrow afternoon.

    3. Elevated food and beverage (including quality coffee!)

    cruise whitsunday reefworld food offering
    Indulge in an elevated food and beverage offering onboard.

    Elevated food and drink is central to the new Reefworld experience. The all-inclusive offering focuses on high-quality regional dining.

    A seafood buffet lunch might include Hervey Bay scallops grilled in shell with garlic and herb butter or line-caught reef fish baked with lemon thyme oil.

    A signature three-course dinner paired with premium Australian wines might dish up an entrée of Whitsunday blue swimmer crab wontons with smoked salmon caviar in a butter sauce, a main of Queensland grass-fed beef-eye fillet, and a tropical coconut and pineapple confection for dessert. Dietary requirements are catered for (notify team at time of booking).

    A hot breakfast buffet offers a selection of cooked favourites, smoked salmon, cheeses, and yoghurts, fresh fruit, toast and cereals.

    All-inclusive beverages include bottled beer and cider, soft drinks and Australian wine including sparkling. Or choose from a range of premium spirits and cocktails such as the 74 Islands Limoncello Spritz, made with a liqueur crafted right here in the Whitsundays.

    Perhaps the biggest boon of all? Barista-made coffee, available from 6.30 am. Only in Australia could you order an oat flat white in the middle of a coral reef.

    4. Snorkel one of the GBR’s most diverse reefs

    guests snorkelling the great barrier reef at cruise whitsunday reefworld
    Dive into the Great Barrier Reef.

    Reefworld sits above Hardy Reef, one of the most biologically diverse outer reef systems in the Great Barrier Reef. Exploring it is a simple matter of popping on a mask, snorkel and flippers and slipping into the water straight from the pontoon.

    Being in the outer reef means the water is clear, and marine life is abundant: here you could spot giant trevally, Māori wrasse, clownfish, parrotfish, nudibranch and giant clams, as well as vibrant coral gardens.

    Snorkel at your leisure over two days. Prefer to stay above the water level? Head to the underwater observatory or join an optional semi-submersible guided tour, and you might still spot the resident two-metre-long Queensland grouper, George, doing the rounds. Or Crush, one of 12 resident green sea turtles.

    5. A luxurious sleep under the stars

    cruise whitsunday reefworld pontoon reefsleep beds
    Spend the night in one of 16 spacious, four-poster beds.

    At the heart of the reimagined Reefworld is its elevated Reefsleep experience. On the upper deck are 16 spacious, four-poster beds, replacing the earlier swag-inspired accommodation and giving up to 32 guests the chance to sleep under the stars with increased privacy and added comfort.

    With names like Parrot Fish and Spotted Ray, each Reefbed is of its place and has everything you need: not least a queen-size bed with premium linens, decked out in coastal shades befitting the location. USB charging ports, reading lights and fans provide extra convenience and comfort. The beds are set up as daybeds in the afternoon, then turned down in time for sleep.

    Double-layer canvas and mesh flaps allow you to customise your experience and exposure to the elements: zip up for maximum privacy and shelter or leave wide open to stargaze as you drift off to sleep.

    Come morning, enjoy the luxury of watching the sun rise over the reef from the comfort of the covers (if facing east).

    6. Refreshed underwater Reefsuites

    Reefsuites room at reefworld
    Let the locals form your bedroom view.

    Reefsuites is Australia’s first underwater hotel and remains among the most unique stays in the country – if not the world. Its two suites have had a glow-up as part of Reefworld’s transformation, but the floor-to-ceiling underwater views of the Great Barrier Reef remain unchanged.

    Choose between king double or twin single sleeping configurations, with premium bedding and a glass-walled en suite in each suite. This is your front-row seat to the marine life of the reef in all its nocturnal glory.

    7. A sensational sunset and canapés session

    cruise whitsunday reefworld guests enjooying sunset canapes
    Wait for sunset at Australia’s best bar.

    There’s even a designated new spot for sunset canapés. Could this be Australia’s best bar? That’s what you will be asking come evening, as you gather on the upper deck for a Sunset Canapés session.

    Reefworld’s refreshed design includes a designated space for this very ritual. Grab a drink at the bar – bubbles, perhaps, or a G&T with locally produced gin – and pull up a stool to settle in for one of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see.

    Nibble on a chef’s selection of light bites as the sun puddles into the molten Coral Sea, bathing the entire pontoon in a glorious glow. It doesn’t get more golden hour than this.

    8. Extras: the adventure continues

    tour leader preparing scua diving gear at cruise whitsunday reefworld
    Choose from a range of extra activities to help you keep exploring.

    And that’s not where the adventure ends. Your Reefworld stay also includes access to the underwater observatory and a guided semi-submarine tour, plus a complimentary guided snorkel safari led by expert reef guides. For those looking to do even more, add-ons include scuba diving and scenic flights over Heart Reef, available at an additional cost.

    As part of Cruise Whitsundays’ investment in reef tourism, nearby permanent Heart Pontoon has also undergone a significant refurbishment, further enhancing the visitor experience.

    The details

    Reefworld is open now as an overnight‑only pontoon, exclusively for Reefsleep and Reefsuite guests. Stays start from $895 per person for Reefsleep and $1495 per person for a Reefsuite, based on double occupancy.

    Book an unforgettable sleep out on the Great Barrier Reef at cruisewhitsundays.com.

    InterContinental Hayman Island Resort: a new era in luxury