Luxury Resort to Open on Queensland's Great Barrier Reef

A new luxury resort is set to open in late August on Hamilton Island in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. "We've been talking with travel agents and they're very excited about having something new to offer the high end of the market," says a spokesperson for the resort. "There hasn't been anything built at this level in Australia for the past several years." Qualia is on the secluded, northernmost point of Hamilton Island, which is a one-hour flight from Brisbane, two hours from Sydney and three hours from Melbourne. Qualia will have 60 private one-bedroom pavilions accessible only to the resort's guests with interiors that include handcrafted furniture by Freedman Rembel. Each pavilion has an unobstructed view of the Whitsunday Passage, the body of water between Hamilton Island and Whitsunday Island. The Windward Pavilions include their own plunge pools and are more than four times the size of an average hotel room. The resort's Beach House has a bedroom, entertaining area, a separate guest pavilion and private full-size swimming pool. Qualia's pavilions range from $1,165 per night for those without a pool to $1,331 per night for those with a private plunge pool. The larger Beach House at Qualia costs $2,497 per night. Prices include all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, non-motorized water sports and the use of a private electric buggy. The resort's six-room spa will have four single treatment rooms and two couples rooms. "As of yet we haven't hired a spa director," says the spokesperson. "It's also likely the spa will open slightly after the main opening in August." Qualia is for adults 18 years and over. Bookings start May 1 for visits starting late August. The travel agent liaison for the resort is Kate Coady, of Hamilton Island sales and marketing, [email protected]. Visit [www.qualiaresort.com].