Welcome to Qualia Hamilton Island

Qualia luxury resort on Hamilton Island was just the way to warm my winter heart, and for a food lover like me, even moreso when the invitation was for the first of the 2011 Great Barrier Feasts – with acclaimed Chef Peter Gilmore.

Please don’t be jealous when you read on. Perhaps you’ll book your own Great Barrier Feast and Hamilton Island luxury escape? OK so let me start with a clean slate – it’s confession time. I’ve spent too much time in winter over the last few years (after, heading north to Europe in their winter, our Australian summer). This year I realised I was chilled right through to the bones. And, like many Australians, I haven’t seen enough of Australia either, and had never before been to the Great Barrier Reef. A winter escape to a luxury resort was just the right medicine. My first trip to Hamilton Island did have a specific purpose though - to swim and  … of course to eat. With two very special Great Barrier Feast dinners ahead at qualia, a welcome dinner on the Friday night, by Chef Jane-Therese Mulry and the showpiece dinner by Chef Peter Gilmore on the Saturday night, you’d think there wouldn’t be much more room for food. Well there was, two masterclasses with Peter Gilmore on the Saturday, a welcome lunch, and marvellous gourmet breakfasts each morning.

We arrived in comfortable style on a direct Virgin Australia flight from Sydney – a faster flight than I’d expected. As soon as we hit the tarmac the warmer air of the north started to warm the spot. But nothing warms the spot like the lap of luxury. We had arrived at qualia on the northern tip of the island.

First stop after the flight was a spot of lunch with my travelling companions, and some invited qualia guests – at just one of the stunning dining rooms – at Pebble Beach. I’m quite taken by the Australian aspect of the architecture, the warm timbers, the large expanses of glass, the very Australian open rooms. The dining room at Pebble Beach is no exception. Yes as the name suggests, the restaurant is right next to the beach, looking out on the inviting water.

Before I take you on a tour of my room, let me share with you the spiritual secret of my relaxing weekend – starting with a spa treatment. Although I enjoy regular massage, the afternoon massage and reiki was undoubtedly one of the best I’ve had. I’d taken a shoulder injury with me from Sydney and one session at the spa and I was on my path to healing. What a wonderful way to start the weekend at qualia which, after all, does mean “a collection of deeper sensory experiences” in Latin.

On to my private pavilion, four large spaces, three indoors and one outdoor, but all with expansive views. I’m hitting the bathroom first with a large tub next to the windows and looking out over the water. Better still the whole large bathroom (probably bigger than my loungeroom at home) has an open shower in the corner. Checking out the toiletries is next on the agenda, and there’s plenty of choices, liquorice fig bath tea and an abundance of Aesop products, loofahs, robes – everything a girl needs.

Now back to my confessions – I don’t know why I wore my swimming costume when nobody could see me in my private horizon plunge pool. I might have worn it for the first dip, but sshhhhh … it was skinny dipping from then on.

And as you’re reading this on Inside Cuisine, you’re probably interested in the feast part of the Great Barrier Feast. There’s more to come on …
The Welcome Dinner
Peter Gilmore Masterclasses
Peter Gilmore Showpiece Dinner

But I’ll finish this first installment by telling you that there wasn’t one of my well-travelled companions who didn’t echo the same words “Can we stay?” when it was time to come home. None of us wanted to leave heaven.

“Recognised by Condé Nast Traveller on their USA and UK Gold Lists and Hot Lists, qualia is a unique expression of Australian luxury and continues to set new benchmarks in global luxury travel by providing a distinctly Australian experience which focuses on exceeding guest expectations.”

Coming up later in the year will be two more Great Barrier Feasts with …

Frank Camorra of four Melbourne restaurants (MoVida, MoVida Next Door, MoVida Aqui and MoVida Terraza
22 – 24 July

Dan Hunter from the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, Victoria
2 – 4 December

And qualia holds other events too – this weekend is a special performance by artists of The Australian Ballet.

Many thanks to qualia Hamilton Island and airline partner Virgin Australia for hosting this weekend.

http://www.qualia.com.au