The Sundays

The Sundays on Hamilton Island, Australia, stands as a newly opened, Michelin Key Selected property that has quickly garnered acclaim for its blend of luxury and family-friendly appeal in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Following a substantial $35 million renovation, this boutique hotel is often described as a "literal piece of paradise" that creates an "everyday vibe" akin to a relaxing Sunday.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Sundays is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently using terms like "wonderful," "outstanding," and "amazing" to describe their stays. Booking.com reviews give it a "Wonderful" rating with a score of 9.2 out of 10, highlighting exceptional scores for location (9.8), cleanliness (9.8), and comfort (9.8). Many guests have expressed that the hotel "exceeded my expectations" and stated they "could not fault anything". It has been hailed as "worth the hype" and "the best place on the island" by various reviewers.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud The Sundays for several key aspects:

• Design and Aesthetic: The property's "coastal-luxe dream" aesthetic, featuring soothing pastels, natural textures, gentle curves, and custom artwork, creates a calm and stylish atmosphere.
• Family-Friendly Focus: Designed with families in mind, it offers interconnecting rooms, a kids' club, and thoughtful amenities like trundle beds and black-out blinds, successfully providing a luxurious yet kid-friendly experience.
• Dining by Renowned Chefs: The Catseye Pool Club, helmed by acclaimed chefs Josh and Julie Niland, is a significant draw, offering exceptional cuisine that appeals to both adults and children.
• Comprehensive Amenities: A private hotel pool with cabanas, an activity deck for sunrise yoga and moonlit movies, complimentary daily breakfast, and free sundaes daily are highly appreciated. Guests also benefit from complimentary access to the extensive facilities of the neighboring Hamilton Island Resort Centre, including larger pools, a gym, and non-motorised watercraft.
• Seamless Arrival and Departure: Complimentary return airport or marina transfers, where luggage is handled directly to the room, ensure a smooth and stress-free start and end to the holiday.

3. Room Quality

The Sundays boasts 59 stylish rooms, all recently renovated as part of a $35 million investment. Each room is designed to evoke a sense of calm and relaxation, with a serene palette of cool sea greens and warm beach tones. Rooms feature plush king beds, a small kitchenette equipped with a mini-bar, microwave, and Nespresso coffee machine, and a spacious ensuite with a relaxing rain shower and a freestanding bathtub. Custom artwork by First Nations and Hungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg adds a unique touch. Guests can choose between private balconies or ground-floor terraces, both offering views of the Coral Sea and lush gardens. Interconnecting room options are available, catering perfectly to families. Accessible rooms are also offered, designed for ease of use. In-room amenities include air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, luxurious Leif hair and body products, robes, umbrellas, and yoga mats.

4. Dining Experience

The Catseye Pool Club is the centerpiece of The Sundays' dining experience, overseen by celebrated culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland. The restaurant offers relaxed, island-style dining with stunning views of the Coral Sea, featuring both indoor and alfresco seating, alongside a poolside bar. While Josh Niland is renowned as a "fish butcher," the menu extends beyond seafood to include premium land-based proteins and fresh local produce, crafted with a sharing-style approach.

A significant highlight is the complimentary daily breakfast for all hotel guests, which includes fresh pastries, nourishing brekkie bowls, and convenient grab-and-go options for early tours. Guests can also opt for breakfast delivery directly to their room. The Catseye Pool Club has been recognized with a Chef Hat by the Australian Good Food Guide 2026. Additionally, guests can enjoy complimentary sundaes daily from 2 PM to 4 PM. For those looking to explore, The Sundays provides access to over 20 other dining options across Hamilton Island.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Sundays is consistently praised as exceptional, with staff described as "amazing, friendly, & welcoming" and going "above and beyond". Guests appreciate the team's attentiveness and willingness to assist with organizing tours, restaurant reservations, and booking complimentary activities like sunrise yoga and moonlit movie nights. The seamless check-in process, aided by complimentary airport or marina transfers where luggage is delivered directly to the room, sets a welcoming tone from the moment of arrival. Reviewers have specifically highlighted the "incredible customer service" and the thoughtful touches provided.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Sundays is ideally situated at the northern end of the palm-fringed Catseye Beach on Hamilton Island, offering direct beachfront access and stunning views of the Coral Sea. Its prime location means it's just steps away from the Hamilton Island Resort Centre, granting guests easy access to a wider array of facilities, including larger pools, a playground, kids' club, tennis courts, mini-golf, bowling alley, gym, and Spa wumurdaylin. The Hamilton Island Marina and its shopping precinct, including an IGA, are a short 10-minute walk or 5-minute buggy ride away, serving as a hub for tours to iconic destinations like Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef. The hotel is highly accessible, being only a few hours' flight from Australia's east coast cities (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne) with direct flights, and offers complimentary return transfers from the Hamilton Island Airport (just a 5-minute drive away) or marina.

7. Value & Pricing

While The Sundays is a luxury property, guests generally consider it to offer good value for the experience provided. Nightly rates start from approximately $891 AUD or US$635. Booking.com rated its "Value for money" at 8.6 out of 10. The complimentary daily gourmet breakfast, return airport transfers, and free use of non-motorised watercraft are significant inclusions that enhance the overall value proposition. Guests often feel it provides an "achievable slice of island paradise" and is well worth the cost for a luxurious, family-friendly escape.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, a few minor criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Service Speed: One reviewer mentioned that breakfast service could be "very very slow".
• Check-out Time: The check-out time of 10:00 AM was considered a bit early by some.
• Noise: The presence of "many birds chirping on the island at night" led one guest to recommend bringing earplugs.
• WiFi Performance: Free WiFi received a slightly lower score of 7.5 on Booking.com, potentially indicating occasional issues with connectivity or speed.
• Preference for Adults-Only: One guest expressed a wish for the area to be adults-only, indicating that while family-friendly is a highlight for many, it might not suit everyone.

Overall, The Sundays presents a highly recommended, luxurious, and family-oriented escape on Hamilton Island, delivering a memorable and relaxing experience with its exceptional design, culinary offerings, and outstanding service.

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