Originally Posted by laurence00
Greatly appreciate your suggestions. Seems like Hayman Island for 3 nights will be the perfect combination of nature, relaxation and a bit of an upscale resort, which my wife will love!
Any "secrets" about the resort that I need to know? Best rooms, best deals? We are not big divers, but took my wife diving in Tahiti last year for the first time and she loved it!
Coming from the USA, what is the best way to book travel there? I'll be in Brisbane for business, so I'll be in Oz already.
Larry in LA
We stayed in the pool wing, top floor. Good views. My understanding was that the rooms on the other side of the resort were larger, but that side wasn't as desireable IMHO. The big pool is the signature space, and that's where you want to be. If you want to swim a lot, you can get a first floor pool wing room and jump in right off the balcony (salt water). The beach wing rooms also looked nice (the ones in the garden seemed very private, if that's what you want).
You take a boat from the airport (Hamilton Island) arranged by the resort (nice). Can arrange a helicopter if a 45 min boat trip is too long.
We're not big breakfast eaters, and the only options on the island are the buffet and room service. No option for simply coffee and a bagel.
Food was quite good. If you want to eat at a particular restaurant, remember to make reservations in the AM at the latest as they may get booked.
Try not to forget anything, because if you have to buy on the island, things are marked up (like AUD 40 for a baseball cap). On the other hand, go crazy and buy clothes and jewelry!
Lots of opportunity for scuba and snorkeling. Each day the list of activities for the following day is printed up like a menu. We took a seaplane (DHC-3?) to the barrier reef for snorkeling - it was excellent, pricy but worth it.
The worst part of the trip for us was Jetstar from Sydney. Don't know what airlines fly from Brisbane, but if you value your knees, avoid Jetstar.