Qualia

Qualia was the first stop on our bucket list honeymoon, and we felt like royalty as soon as we arrived. The property and island are stunning, but the top notch staff made them even better. Ben gave us an amazing sake and sashimi tasting. My husband has a severe nut allergy, and at every meal the staff remembered it, which was so comforting when we were miles from home. We definitely hope to come back one day.

This is about the pool area on Hamilton Island, not Qualia. I’ve posted it here in the hope Hamilton Island management might see it, since I can’t leave a review on a Hamilton Island review site. I love visiting Hamilton Island and have been many times, but lately prices have climbed while service has slipped. $22 for a spritz on tap feels like too much. I did like the new swim up bar at the pool complex, which had only been open a couple of weeks when we arrived. But when I tried to order a beer there, I was told to get out of the water and walk around to the other side because they were understaffed. It makes you wonder why build a swim up bar if it isn’t staffed properly. Staffing seemed to be about 20 percent short throughout our stay. The restaurant food beside the new bar was lovely, but it seemed to have separate kitchens for cooked and cold food like salads. Our salads came around 25 minutes after the mains, which defeats the point of ordering them together. Another miss. I could see the manager of the restaurant and bar area was doing his best, but with staffing stretched that thin, dirty glasses and cans were left around for hours. The new pool, which had clearly had a lot invested in it, got grubby, with cans floating in the water. With prices up so much and staffing at this level, this will probably be my last Hamilton Island visit. I’ll look elsewhere for future holidays.

Everything felt private and well cared for at Qualia. There were no kids running around, and the other guests were super nice and classy. Noemi checked us in at the long pavilion, where the views are breathtaking. A private chauffeur met us at the airport, and after that the staff took care of everything. From managers to waitresses to housekeeping, everyone was professional and kind, and helped with every request. Housekeeping came several times a day to make sure everything was perfect. They can also drive you around the whole island if you don’t want to use a buggy, or golf cart. Breakfast at Long Pavilion was amazing every morning. Lunch and the tasting menu at dinner at pebble beach were delicious too, better than any other island restaurant we tried. The cacao indulgence at the spa was 10000/10 stars, the best massage experience I’ve had anywhere in the world. The views were stunning from every corner, and there were beautiful birds and wildlife. If you get the chance to visit and want to feel like a true VIP, do it.

The staff made Qualia a 10/10 experience for me. They were incredibly welcoming and friendly, and took my severe nut allergy seriously with more care than any team I’ve experienced. The food and amenities were amazing too. Qualia is my favorite hotel I’ve ever stayed at!