Inside Australia’s newest $30m hotel that will be a game changer for families

Surrounded by crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and queen-sized cabanas — you’d think you’re in a corner of Capri. But this new Aussie hotel has a game-changing ‘twist’.

It’s the $30 million dollar gamble that’s set to pay off, after one Aussie island found a clear gap in the ever-expanding luxury travel market.

While adults-only 5-star stays are well and truly dotted around Australia’s coastline, when it comes to a boutique, high-end experience with kids front of mind — one Queensland island said their new stay will rival some of the most luxurious in the country.

The Sundays is new $30m luxury hotel and restaurant coming to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays in 2025. Picture: Hamilton Island Enterprises

The hotel is targeting a “gap in the market” for adults with children. Picture: Hamilton Island Enterprises

Dubbed The Sundays, and sitting on the white sandy shores of Hamilton Island’s Catseye Bay, this boutique stay is unlike anything else on the island — or arguably, around the country.

With 59 rooms on offer, each fitted out with pastel colours and comfortable furnishings, every room overlooks the Coral Sea and the hotel’s unique kidney-shaped pool.

The hotel, which is very much still in the construction phase, hopes to be open by Autumn 2025. Picture: Hamilton Island Enterprises

With guests able to enjoy alfresco dining at the hotel’s restaurant all while taking in the views of the incredibly blue waters below, the new build is everything the island has gone without for decades.

To mark the beginning of the Hamilton Island’s annual Race Week meet, media were given an exclusive sneak peak of the construction site of the hotel which is set to open in Autumn of 2025.

The stairway that cascades up the side of the property from Catseye Bay.

The pool, which is still under construction, will have a magic view over the Coral Sea.

Pete Brulisauer, Hamilton Island CEO, said while the island has luxury covered for the adults — with the likes of qualia and The Beach Club on offer — having a tropical island escape, with a five-star feel and also perfect for families hasn’t really been an option.

“The Sundays mark a new era for Hamilton Island,” he said.

The construction of The Sundays on Hamilton Island is set to conclude in Autumn 2025.

The Sundays combines luxury, families and the backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef into one. Picture: Hamilton Island Enterprises

“We have listened to our guests and crafted a place that combines luxury with a contemporary design focus while offering relaxation and adventure, amid the stunning backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef.”

While the entry-level rooms are on the smaller side, interior designer Carrie Williams believes the new hotel — with its Balcony, Terrace or Family Connect (Interconnecting) room options — allow families to feel at home.

“We identified a gap in the market for couples who had stayed at places like qualia and The Beach Club 9on Hamilton Island), had since had kids and could no longer go to those places,” Ms Williams told news.com.au.

“They wanted quality, and a luxury experience while also still maintaining that hotel experience.

“So that’s how we came up with the model of the hotel. It’s a bespoke design and a design lead property.”

First look inside Australia's newest $30 million hotel.

The Sundays has a relaxed but luxurious feel in each room. Picture: Hamilton Island Enterprises

Throughout the site tour, of which the hotel is still very much under construction, Ms Williams — who is a mother of a two-year-old daughter and began the design process when her baby was just six months old — said the secret of this property has been putting kids front of mind every step of the way.

“We have poolside cabana that are essentially the size of a queen bed,” she explained.

“So they can fit a whole family in them, so the whole family can just relax and reconnect maybe by sitting around and playing cards or just sharing food together from our amazing restaurant.

“That is something we have never seen here before, but something we have seen at other hotels and day clubs around the world.”

The balcony view from one of the top floor rooms at The Sundays on Hamilton Island.

Carrie Williams is a mum of a toddler, and the interior designer of the new family-friendly luxury hotel, The Sundays on Hamilton Island.

Ms Williams said the minibar game will also receive a shake-up at the hotel, with each room to have a mini-mini-bar.

“The traditional minibar is pretty uninspiring, so we saw it as a way to put a twist on it,” she explained of the ‘kids’ minibar offering.

“It will be a child-friendly minibar that is full of healthy snacks rather than traditional chips, so we will be putting a twist on it to making it a playful elements. These touchpoints we hope will target the children and get them excited.”

“There’s not many properties like this that target families. You go to these beautiful bespoke properties and you do feel like a burden with the kids, or the odd one out. So creating a property where we welcome families … and slow down.”

The Sundays will have 59 rooms on offer, making it a boutique hotel experience.

The view from one of the top level rooms at The Sundays.

Sitting just 2.5-hour by plane from Brisbane and Sydney, and three hours from Melbourne, the new hotel has officially opened for bookings. And while the nightly rate won’t come cheap (with rates starting from $890 per night) the addition of a free fourth night (if your reservation falls over a Sunday) will be sure to lure in longer weekend stays.

This journalist visited The Sundays as a guest of Hamilton Island Tourism