The reef is value for money. Friendly staff, good food, heated pool and large ocean view rooms. I highly recommend upgrading to ocean view room. Food on the island is not cheap, however you have plenty of options.
- Free parking
- Pool
The reef is value for money. Friendly staff, good food, heated pool and large ocean view rooms. I highly recommend upgrading to ocean view room. Food on the island is not cheap, however you have plenty of options.
One thing I didn't realise before I came here with friends for a four day weekend was that the whole island is owned by one family and effectively a monopoly. For what you have to pay it is not really great value for money. The beach is so so, very tidal with lots of rocks exposed at low tide and the irrikunji jellyfish warnings don't exactly inspire long swims in the ocean! The restaurants are eye wateringly expensive and the quality very ordinary. There are much better value options in Northern Australia.
and Yes - this hotel will give you a great stay!
We have just enjoyed four days on the island and had a room at the Reef View overlooking the Coral Sea on level 11. The rooms are large, beds are comfortable and staff are friendly and very helpful.
Our package included breakfast – which was mostly disappointing. Don’t even bother with the Pool Terrance (the restaurant attached to this hotel) - the buffet breakfast was stone cold! Almost inedible! We headed to Sails restaurant the next morning and it was marginally better – we mostly used the chef to cook fresh poached eggs or an omelette. Shame about the cold bacon!
We also had issue with smokers smoking on their room balconies - there is nothing much the hotel can do about this but there were a couple of times when we had to close our doors because the smoke was coming into our room. Shame.
Having said that I can thoroughly recommend this hotel. Great service, excellent location and the free use of sail boats, kayaks, stand up boards and snorkel gear on Catseye Beach is just magical. This is a great place for families.
TIPS
Ask for above level 6 to get the best views – the higher the better!
Pay the extra for the Coral Sea View Room – waking up to the sunrise over the Whitsundays is so worth it!
Using the Charge back at most restaurants and tours is very convenient BUT check your bill daily (you can do this via the TV). I had a number of double charging and some of the tours were cancelled so I required refunds. At one point we were charged for a lunch at a restaurant we did not visit. Staff were very helpful and excellent in working through all mistakes but discussing it with them each day meant that when we did check out there was no delay.
While the buggies are fun – you do not need them! The buses are free and easy to us and very regular. We walked most places – all that food needs to be walked off!
Bommies restaurant is expensive but fantastic. Arrive early and have cocktails while watching the sunset before your meal.
Coca Chu is great modern Asian cuisine. It is very popular so make sure you book as soon as you arrive. We were there in July and it was only open for dinner.
We enjoyed lunch and morning and afternoon drinks at Sails – such a fabulous location right on Catseye Beach.
Pop Eyes Fish and Chips is a great takeaway – just watch the seagulls and cockatoos with your chips!
Make sure you head to One Tree Hill for cocktails at sunset – there is a free bus that will take you up there.
Take the time to walk/buggy up to the Chapel – again beautiful views and lovely simple chapel.
We walked to Passage Peak – it’s a good couple of hours and quite steep at the top but so worth for the spectacular views. If you head back via the beach (you have to time this at low tide) the trip back is better (and flatter!).
Hamilton Island Air took us to Whitehaven Beach in a seaplane – expensive but so worth the money!
Dear Fibenton
Thank you for not only your incredibly detailed review but for staying with us at the Reef View Hotel.
It certainly sounds like you had an incredible holiday and experienced almost everything that Hamilton Island has to offer.
I was of course disappointed to learn that you experienced a few issues during your stay, but
I'm glad my teams were able to rectify the Room Charge issues easily.
I am concerned with the other issue you have raised and I shall personally pass these on to their relevant departments throughout Hamilton Island.
If there is anything further to add please don’t hesitate to contact me personally via mboileau@HamiltonIsland.com.au
Warm regards
Matt Boileau
General Manager
Reef View Hotel & Palm Bungalows
HAMILTON ISLAND
The reef view hotel is not by any means modern or flash. But it was fine family accom close to the beach with views over beach and water.
Very expensive for what you get, but I suppose everything on Hamilton is $$$$$
Room was very comfortable and very clean and furnishings fairly modern.
We enjoyed our stay it was a great place to stay, the staff were very friendly and it was a great location on the island. We had great views of the ocean. Be careful of the birds don't leave your belcony doors open:) also the breakfast is great everything you could ask for.
Dear Lausie1
Thank you for both your review and for staying with us.
Touched to hear that you were able to enjoy your holiday here with us and that my team were able to make such a difference to your stay.
The cockatoo’s can be a tad cheeky at times. I hope they didn't cause too much mischief.
Look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Warm regards
Matt Boileau
General Manager
Reef View Hotel & Palm Bungalows
HAMILTON ISLAND
We went to Hamilton Island for the first time ever last November. The Reef View Hotel was a gorgeous venue with great service and fabulous bills. We will be back. Very clean with amazing views. We'd gone to celebrate our daughters 21st birthday as she worked on the Island. Beautiful dinning area with the pool right outside this area.
Dear Jill A
Thank you for not only staying with us but for also staying with us for your daughters 21st Birthday.
Look forward to welcoming you back soon and thank you for your review.
Warm regards
Matt Boileau
General Manager
Reef View Hotel & Palm Bungalows
HAMILTON ISLAND