Casuarina Cove

We love Hamilton Island and have stayed here several times with our extended family, but after this week we’ll look elsewhere next time. At $8k a week, there are better options. The house needs a lot of TLC. Door fittings were loose, the doors were grimy and needed repainting, and loose verandah timbers were a safety risk for our three-year-old. We had to borrow a screwdriver and screws to secure the handrail slats so she wouldn’t go over. The house was also very dirty and dusty. The floors were so grimy our feet got dirty, and there was only a broom, with no dustpan or vacuum. It needs a proper mop, but the one provided was mouldy and would probably spread more grime. There was mould in the shower runners, the bathrooms felt grotty, and the living room rug was filthy. There were no cleaning supplies to wipe down the benches, no paper towels or spray, and no tea towels. The small dishwashing liquid sachets and few tablets felt stingy at this price. The BBQ didn’t work properly, even though the handy people in our group tried to get it going; only half the burners lit. The hot water system wasn’t big enough for a house this size, and the last three people in our group to shower got cold water. There were some good things: the pool was lovely and a great temperature, and the kids loved it. The location is close to the marina and shops, the beds are comfortable, and the views and large verandah are lovely. The aircon and fans kept the house cool. The buggy was okay, but its battery seems to be failing and needed recharging several times a day to stop it going flat.

Both levels have large decked outdoor areas overlooking the ocean towards Dent Island. Inside, the downstairs has three bedrooms, each with either two singles or one double, plus a shared bathroom. Upstairs there’s a large bedroom with a king-sized bed, a kitchen with a stove, oven, microwave, and large fridge, and a spacious living and dining area. The table seats eight comfortably, while the large TV area has seating for five or six on modern couches. It’s a nice, relaxed holiday house spread over two levels. The showers could use some maintenance.

The view was a real highlight, and there was a lot to like about the place. But the home felt run down and needed a proper clean and refresh. The staff tried to sort out the problems, though it would take quite a bit of work to bring the property up to the standard I'd expect at this price.

We had heaps of room in this large four-bedroom house, and the views were fantastic. The place is a bit worn from use, but everything worked as it should, and the pool was lovely.