Spectacular rejuvenation revealed as ‘iconic resort’ reopens
Hayman Island by InterContinental welcomed its first guests this week following a $135 million transformation into what the hotel group describes as “Australia’s most iconic private island resort”.
Located at the northernmost point of Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands, the 166-room resort offers guests a range of rooms, suites and villas in its Pool, Beach and Lagoon wings, each boasting views over the Coral Sea.
Ultra-luxurious additions include Hayman Spa with its range of ocean-inspired treatments and the Hayman Beach House, fronting Hayman Beach and offering suites accompanied by their own plunge pools.
One of the most significant changes to the resort is the introduction of five distinct restaurants and bars, including a 1950s-inspired cocktail bar, Italian trattoria and the pan-Asian restaurant Bam Bam.
Leanne Harwood, IHG’s managing director for Australasia and Japan, said: “We are tremendously proud to welcome our first guests to Hayman Island.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”15046″ align=”right”]As the closest private island to the Great Barrier Reef, Hayman offers access to diving excursions, guided tropical hikes and helicopter or seaplane tours, and The Planet Trekkers kids club provides activities including coral planting adventures and junior meditation classes.“InterContinental has been a pioneer in luxury travel for over 70 years and Hayman Island has become pivotal in our expansion plans for Australasia as we continue to open and operate in the most highly sought-after destinations in the world.”
Exclusive access is available for weddings, meetings and events, while groups of 10 to 320 guests can be accommodated across the island’s collection of 15 indoor and outdoor venues.
IHG has put environment at the forefront of the refurb, with guest taught about neighbouring reef ecosystems, supplied with reef-safe sunscreen and given a complimentary reusable water bottle on check-in for refill from filtered water stations across the resort.
A glass-to-sand crusher will recycle glass bottles for use in the island’s gardens, while “state-of-the-art in-room technology will conserve and maximise energy” according to the hotel group.
Greg Shaw, CEO of the island’s Malaysian owner Mulpha Australia Limited, said: “Hayman Island is an iconic Australian resort destination in the heart of the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.
“The resort created a new benchmark for the Australian market upon opening and our investment of $135 million to reposition and relaunch Hayman will create a new standard for luxury resort travel in the region.”
Rooms at InterContinental Hayman Island start from $750 per night.
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