T+L Hotel Review: The Sundays Hamilton Island, Australia

I’ve learned a few cultural facts as an American expat in Australia. Married to an Australian and raising two young children with him, I’ve come across a number of cultural truths. Aussies treat their holidays very seriously. They’ll fly for six hours, even with children in tow. So when I heard whispers of a new design-forward, family-friendly boutique hotel opening in the Whitsundays—a group of 74 islands along Queensland’s central coast—I was on the next flight north.

The Sundays, a 59 room boutique hotel, is located on Hamilton Island. It’s the only Whitsundays hotel with its own airport, direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. It is the first new hotel to open on the island since 2007, and it’s already reshaping how travelers are experiencing the Great Barrier Reef—not just as a once-in-a-lifetime snorkel stop, but as the relaxed, kid-inclusive base to explore it all. The Sundays is built on the bones from one of the original structures of the island. It feels like a laid-back, little sister to Qualia, the famously child-free resort Just across the island, you’ll find the favorite of Taylor Swift and Oprah. Paul McCartney is also a fan.

Sundays on the other hand, are the days that invite the chaos of the children in. Highchairs and baby monitors come with the barefoot luxury. It takes its name—and its attitude—from the best day of the week: slower starts, shared meals, and no pressure to do much of anything at all.

The trip was surprisingly easy. The flight was only a short distance from Brisbane and, crucially, a solo one—I was part of the first group of journalists invited to preview the hotel—I stepped off the plane and into a postcard: turquoise water, palm trees swaying, cockatoos squawking overhead. The Sundays team met me at Hamilton Island Airport and collected my luggage. A seamless transfer took me from tarmac straight to check-in within five minutes. Technically, I could’ve walked—the island is that compact.

Once home to the Outrigger Restaurant and Allamanda Lodge back in the ‘80s, the hotel has been thoughtfully reimagined by local interior designer Carrie Williams. The result of this reimagining is a space which feels both familiar and new, while still being rooted to its surroundings. Stonework, natural textures and sun-faded colors are all at home in tropical climates. Meanwhile, a boardwalk connecting guest rooms to ocean creates a sense of intimacy. The interior is characterized by curved walls, an open floor plan, and bespoke furniture. First Nations-Hungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg Infuse your space with vibrant colors and cultural riches. Each room has a balcony or terrace with views of lush gardens or the Coral Sea. The Sundays is far enough away to feel like you’re on a retreat but close enough for you to easily walk to the island center and marina. As Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling put it: “The Sundays brings something truly special to the island—boutique escape that reflects the warmth and ease of Australian hospitality.” Other words, you can drink a cocktail while your child facesplants in a sundae and no one will bat an eye.

Catseye Pool Club – the on-site restaurant run by Josh and Julie Niland, a culinary power couple (of Saint Peter You can also find out more about the following: Fish Butchery fame). This is their first foray in Queensland, and it’s arguably Australia’s most exciting gastronomic opening of 2025. The Nilands, known for Sydney’s most ambitious and fin-to tail seafood, flip the script at The Sundays with a family-friendly menu that is both seasonal and crowd-pleasing.

Josh Niland explained to me that “I wanted a family style dining experience that did not feel disingenuous. I wanted it to be conducive to the way a child wants to eat.” For kids, that translates into build-your-own flatbreads with a selection of antipasti and charcuterie. For adults, the batter-fried wild fish tacos with bush tomato salsa and fermented pineapple hot sauce were outrageously good—more Baja than Barrier Reef.

The hotel guests are entitled to a complimentary breakfast, but the real fun happens between 2 pm and 4 pm when the sundaes arrive. I opted for a mix of all three options—Queensland strawberry, Daintree chocolate, and Cassowary Creek vanilla with soft cream, a waffle, and chocolate sauce for good measure.

The Sundays is a luxury hotel in Australia that caters to children without compromising taste. The Sundays is not only family-friendly but family-forward. It has thought of everything, right down to the last soft-serve cone and sun lounger. You can come alone or with a stroller group (as was the case for me), but it is always a pleasant reminder that elevated doesn’t necessarily mean adults only.

The Sundays: Here’s everything you need know.

The Rooms

I stayed in an open balcony room with a great view of Passage Peak. It was compact but beautiful, with a cloudlike king-size bed and a hidden bench that could be used by children as young as 12. The kitchenette featured curated Australian brands, a Nespresso and a microwave that could be used to warm bottles. It also included a gift of homemade rocky-road candy. In the bathroom, there was a walk-in shower with Leif products and a large freestanding bathtub that could fit two people (or three, if you count the one who still fits into a swim diaper). Herczeg’s artwork, along with warm neutrals, tactile surfaces, and Herczeg’s artwork, kept the room feeling calm, elevated, without being overwhelming.

The interconnected Family Connect rooms can accommodate up to six people, making them ideal for larger families. A retractable wall behind the bed revealed a spacious dressing area, with plenty of storage. There was a bench for suitcases and deep drawers to hold extras like yoga mats and beach towels.

Food and Drink

Rarely will you find a restaurant in a hotel that can feed both your child and yourself. You can also find out more about the following: your inner food snob. The menu at Catseye Pool Club is simple and elegant, but not fussy. It is meant to be enjoyed by all.

Josh Niland said that he didn’t wish to have Saint Peter in his home. acclaimed Sydney seafood eatery. And it isn’t. This one is in full holiday mode, unlike Niland’s more orderly outposts. You can choose to swim, snack or have a long lunch at the water’s side.

Cocktails that are both sophisticated and fun come from Saint Peter alum Samuel Cocks. On the plate, there are nods to the Nilands’ seafood roots—BBQ Bowen line-caught coral trout and Tweed Heads Eastern rock lobster—but much of the menu is built for relaxed, share-style dining. Josh Niland stated, “Each dish is meant to be shared by the entire table with all the trimmings.” The kids can have grilled chicken skewers with fries and a scoop sorbet for dessert. Adults can enjoy dishes such as Berkshire Porchetta or Bowen Mud Crab Pies, which are accompanied by colorful seasonal sides. For dessert, the flambé pineapple tart for two arrives theatrically, still warm from the oven, topped with a scoop of sugar cane rum ice cream.

Activities and Experiences

Sunrise yoga classes on the deck take place twice weekly and are low pressure with a beautiful ocean view. The Sundays’ pool is only for guests. It has cabanas and daybeds. The water temperature at the pool is moderate. There are also cocktails. The hotel is just steps away from the Hamilton Island Resort CentreThe Sundays has no wellness area, but guests of the hotel can access tennis courts and a bowling alley. There are also additional pools, a fitness center, and Spa Wumurdaylin. The more active can rent paddleboards or kayaks. Catamarans and snorkeling gear are also complimentary.

You can find something The Journey to the Heart helicopter tour is an unforgettable experience. The $1400 per-person flight takes you over the Great Barrier Reef, including the iconic heart-shaped formation of coral. You then land on a private pontoon for a glass bottom boat tour and snorkelling. The experience is a mix of Bond fantasy and snorkelling. The Blue PlanetThe price is absolutely justified.

Robbie Congoo is a Ngaro guide who led me on a Cultural Island Discovery trip. This was a wonderful experience with someone so connected to the land. We cruised aboard a private vessel to nearby Hook Island, explored ancient rock art sites, and ended the day with gourmet canapés and drinks infused with native Australian ingredients.

Enjoy Family Friendly Offers

The Sundays make traveling with kids feel—dare I say it—easy. The evenings begin with family-friendly movies screened on the deck with beanbags and popcorn. Clownfish Kid’s Club is available for children between the ages of six months and 12 years. It is staffed by professional staff who make the AUD80 for a half day feel like a great deal. The cost of a full day ranges from AUD 160 and includes activities such as face painting or visits to wildlife parks. Baby gear is available on request at The Sundays to lighten your luggage (and load). This includes portable cots for babies, highchairs for toddlers, diaper bins and strollers.

Accessibility, Sustainability and Sustainability

The bones of the building were reused and the hotel uses eco-friendly systems and materials throughout. These include smart cooling, LED lighting with energy efficiency, and ceilings lined with bamboo. Even the tapware in the hotel is lead-free and locally produced.

The accessibility of the hotel has been treated with equal care. All guests are able to enjoy the hotel in comfort thanks to three dedicated accessible rooms.

Location

The Sundays is situated at the northern end Catseye Beach – an arc of sand that stretches across Hamilton Island. The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located at the northern end of Catseye Beach, an arc of white sand on Hamilton Island. Whitehaven Beach is a must-see attraction in the area, as are Heart Reef and Heart Reef.

The easiest route for travelers from the U.S. is via Sydney or Brisbane with a connection to the island the same day. Hamilton Island is a car-free island, and guests are able to get around by foot, buggy or shuttle. The hotel itself is perfectly positioned: just steps from the Hamilton Island Resort Centre, offering shops, cafés, and restaurants.

What to Expect from Your Stay

There are ways to get extra value even though The Sundays doesn’t have a loyalty program or premium booking platform. There are many ways to get extra value from The Sundays. Hamilton Island website It features exclusive island-wide offers. Also, you’ll find carefully curated suggestions on what to do and where to eat.

Rates for nightly stays at The Sundays Starting at AUD 891/night (557 USD).

Each hotel reviewed by T+L is chosen based on its alignment with our values. core values.