I could run back to Hayman Island again tomorrow! It is one place that I just can’t get out of my head. From the moment I step on the luxury launch from Hamilton Island, I am in heaven.
With staff waiting in a line for you and addressing you as Mr or Ms, they pour you a glass of champagne while they are greeting you.
They own 3 luxury boats that have white leather interior and an upper deck where you can enjoy the stunning view of the Whitsunday’s as you make your way to Hayman Island.
The launch lasts approx 45mins and while you are settling in at the back of the boat, the staff will check you in and give you the key to your room, saving you time upon arrival. About 5 mins after departure, the champagne glass is topped up and around come the canapé’s.
During the boat ride, there is a commentator, talking about the Whitsunday’s and the Islands. And oh, here comes another glass of champagne. Ok by now, I am definitely in comfort zone and surrendering to Hayman Island’s “over the top” service.
Upon arrival at Hayman Island, again there are 6 staff lined in a row, ready to meet you and escort you to the buggy where a short ride away, you will reach your room. I was accompanied by a staff that showed me through the room and made sure I was happy and asked if I needed anything. As I was reading the “welcome back “ card and opening the bottle of champagne they had chilling for me on the dining table, the General Manager arrived personally to welcome me back to the Island, as this was my 4th time.
Within the 1hour I was well settled in, sipping champagne by the pool and ordering scrumptious food from the pool grill which consists of some amazing food such as, Mediterranean prawn skewers, salt & pepper squid, BLT’s and lots more.
Dinner the first night was at La Trattoria, where I started to notice that Hayman was losing its high level of service. I ordered a blue cheese salad, where they forgot to put the blue cheese in. That was re-done, and then ordered a pizza, which took 1.5 hours to be delivered. The pizza had a very ordinary base and I did expect more from their wood fire oven.
The following day we lazed around by the pool again and enjoyed caprioskas all day long, until we decided to take an afternoon nap. At 4:30pm I was woken up and surprised to receive a salmon platter compliments of Hayman, to say thank you for coming back, I was amazed! Ok, that made up for the crappy dinner the night before.
2nd night, I enjoyed dinner at The Oriental, which still offered my favourite spring rolls. Their oysters were delicious as well. We made some friends and enjoyed dinner with 2 other couples. Later we continued with more cocktails in the Club Lounge with a piano bar and full size snooker table. By 1am we were all exhausted.
I highly recommend a snorkelling trip, their reef is beautiful and you enjoy a nice glass of champagne after swimming. They also offer a sunset tour to a secluded beach, which is a wonderful experience with a loved one. They pack you a hamper, which includes lobster, wine, cheeses and lots more, accompanied with a blanket, 2 pillows and an umbrella.
I recommend you stay in a Pool Access room, this way you can swim straight off your balcony. I believe this is the best way to experience Hayman; After all they do have the biggest pool in the southern hemisphere. If you want privacy, they offer Palm Superior rooms, which are secluded amongst the Palm Wing. Otherwise away from everything are the lagoon rooms, these have a different décor and are more hidden away, but closer to the restaurants.
Breakfast is $40 pp but the buffet is great. They make the eggs anyway you like and have 3 types of bacon, 4 types of pancakes, every tropical fruit in season, more than 10 types of bread, should I go on?????
One night a week they will have a seafood buffet at Azure restaurant, the same place breakfast is served. It is about $80 pp and has a great selection of wines. Also once a
week and upon demand, they have Chef’s Table. Generally $245 pp – degustation menu and wines to suit all serves of food -it speaks for itself.
B
eing part of the “Leading Hotels of the World”, these are the things I can fault since the last few times I have visited Hayman:
- food & beverage takes longer to be served around the pool
- the planks of wood around the pool and tables & chairs on balconies need to be varnished
- the pool was dirty
- games in the Club Lounge were missing parts or were broken, ie Chess game had missing pieces
- the library had about 20 books where back in 2004 there were over 1000
- The snooker table was missing chalk, snooker balls and needed new felt.
- Turn down service is too early
- Of course very pricey
In saying that I was so sad to leave and dreaded the last day, I was trying to soak up the sun for the last couple of hours I had left. The champagne started pouring as soon as I boarded the launch, but it didn’t have the same effect as I was heading home.
Upon my arrival I was already looking at dates to go back, I really love that place as it leaves me with a sense of relaxation and some unreplaceable memories.
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