We had 4 nights on Hamilton Island at the Whitsunday Apartments (me, my husband and our 2 children - ages 12 and 9).

Hamilton Island is a beautiful place with plenty to do and beautifully landscaped gardens. The main pool is pretty incredible and staff were pleasant and helpful. There was a program of activities such as beading, soccer, face painting, exercise classes, art classes, etc - as well as watersports and day trips off the island. The free shuttle buses are efficient and an easy was to get around. We did rent a golf buggy one day and that was a fun novelty.

We felt that most things on Hamilton Island were quite overpriced (the hotels, restaurants, drinks, souveneirs, etc). While we realize it is a tropical island, and did not expect to find bargains, we noted that pricing was significantly more expensive than Daydream Island (which we did in the same trip and preferred over Hamilton).

While Hamilton Island was worth seeing, I would not recommend the Whitsunday Holiday Apartments. They were very dated and, while clean, quite dingy and shabby. They seemed to have no sound proofing and we could clearly hear people walking above us, talking and sliding their closet doors. Even worse, the plumbing sounds from other rooms were very, very loud and we would wake up several times a night from the noise. The pool for this hotel looked run-down, but not a huge deal as we just used the main pool instead. On the plus side, they were roomy and centrally located.

I'm not a tough reviewer, I think this is the first unfavourable trip advisor review I have posted. The island itself is great - it is just the Whitsunday Apartments and the overly high prices (ie not good value) that we didn't like.

We loved everything about our stay on Hamilton Island, however, it does rain a lot, naturally being in the tropics! The rooms were clean and spacious, quite dated, but still very well catered for. The pool looked a bit old and tired, & is in need of better lighting, but as we were able to use other pools on the Island it did not worry us at all!
The staff were always friendly and helpful, and we loved the free bus that gets you wherever you need to go, and the bus drivers were quite entertaining as well!
The reef is amazing and the water was quite warm for this time of year!

Hanilton Island - Late February 2009 (One Week)
Stayed at - Whitsunday Holiday Apartments - 6th Floor

We booked in November 2008 for a family holiday at hamilton Island for 2 adults & one child 2 years old from the 19/02/09 to the 26/02/09. We part paid each month so that on arrival there were no accomodation charges to be paid.

We got a great holiday package pay for 5 nights & get 7 nights.

Part of the reason of posting this review although very late is the invaluable information given to us by fellow travellers on this website so we thought we would do the same.

Overall we had a great holiday most other families were there to relax & enjoy & if they had small children very happy to socialize it was also a most relaxing place away from the hustle & bustle of everyday life.

We stayed in an apartment we went online & ordered food & grocery items from IGA Proserpine which arrived the 2nd morning we were there. Also ordered Alcohol to be delivered that was not available from the local bottleshop.

Facilities were clean & reasonable for the price & although we booked a garden view apartment we requested prior to arrival if we could be put on an upper floor. This enabled us to have the coral sea view (Floor 5) for the cheaper price.

Staff were all friendly & nothing seemed to be a problem with our requests. Cleaning was done every 3 days & i would not say that they were flash but it was reasonable.

Daughter although young loved the Pools & interaction with the other kids, & my wife being Japanese had NHK (Japanese TV)
in both the bedroom & lounge area, so she got to relax & watch shows in her native language.

We used the day care facilities twice staff were very good & that also enabled us to do the jetski tour around the island which was lots of fun.

One only dissapointing thing which was out of our control was the weather. For 2 days it rained solid & another day was spitting at least half the day. So if booking activities do them as soon as you arrive as the weather can change. We missed out on going to Whitehaven because of the weather & also because we left it later in the holiday to book.

We ate out every night & tried all the various places. We did not find the prices unreasonable & they have a kids eat free program at selected places. The reef view hotel has a restaurant called the pool terrace the service & food that night was the best.

We plan to go back another time in the next couple of years & we may upgrade our accomodation to the Hotel next time but then again it depends on what package is available at that time.

We would also pick a more sunny month & most likely pay extra but that will depend on where we also stay.

Overall great holiday & we will go back again.

Paul M
Brisbane Queensland

We stayed in the WHA as our belated honeymoon,and we could not find fault with it,and we were slightly apprehensive due to other reviews.
The rooms were basic but clean and comfortable and had a well stocked mini bar!
This came in very handy as we were stuck in there for 24 hours due to cylone hamish !
The staff could not do enough for us during this time, including up to date weather reports and food drops every few hours at no charge.We even got to stay an extra day as the airport was closed and it was no problem to the fabulous staff!
Every where on the island we were met with the best service and help.They should all be commended for their attitudes and it made our stay so good we will deffinately be back again! Though maybe not in cyclone season! I love Hamilton Island!