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The Sundays Named Gourmet Traveller Resort of the Year 2026

The Sundays, Hamilton Island

Key Facts:

• Hamilton Island's The Sundays has been named Resort of the Year in the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards 2026, less than a year after opening on Catseye Beach in April 2025.
• The 59-room hotel offers guests an intimate experience while providing access to more than 20 restaurants and bars, over 60 experiences, Whitehaven Beach, and Heart Reef.
• At the centre of the resort is Catseye Pool Club, led by renowned Sydney chefs Josh and Julie Niland of Saint Peter, offering share-style dining with a focus on locally sourced seafood.
• The Sundays was also named to the Travel + Leisure It List 2026, recognising the world's best new and renovated hotels.
• To mark the award, Hamilton Island is offering a Winter Warmer promotion for stays of three or more nights, valid until 31 August 2026.

Hamilton Island’s The Sundays has been named Resort of the Year in the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards 2026.

 

The 59-room hotel opened on Catseye Beach in April 2025 and quickly established itself as one of Australia’s most exciting new openings, offering an intimate way to experience Hamilton Island while remaining within easy reach of more than 20 restaurants and bars, over 60 experiences, Whitehaven Beach, and Heart Reef.

 

The Sundays General Manager Raza Syed welcomed the recognition.

 

"To be recognised as Gourmet Traveller’s Resort of the Year just over a year after opening is an incredible honour and recognition of the experience we’ve worked so hard to create at The Sundays," Mr Syed said.

 

"There are few places in the world where you can wake up in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, spend the day exploring Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsundays, and return for dinner overlooking the Coral Sea. We set out to build a hotel that welcomes families without compromising on design, dining, or the quality of the guest experience. This award means a great deal to our team."

 

At the heart of The Sundays is Catseye Pool Club, led by Josh and Julie Niland of Saint Peter, Sydney’s beloved culinary institution. The restaurant serves share-style dining with a focus on locally sourced seafood. The menu of Catseye Pool Club is designed for the kind of long, unhurried meals that define a great island holiday.

 

The award caps a strong first year for The Sundays, which was also named to the Travel + Leisure It List 2026, an annual selection of the world’s best new and renovated hotels.

 

ENDS

 

Special Offer

Celebrate The Sundays being named Gourmet Traveller Resort of the Year 2026 with our Winter Warmer offer:

Stay three or more nights at and The Sundays.

Offer ends 4pm AEST, Friday 28 August 2026. Valid for stays at select hotels until 31 August 2026.

*Conditions and minimum stay length required.

For more information or to make a booking visit: hamiltonisland.com.au/winter-warmer

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Hamilton Island

Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is Australia’s tropical island. Offering direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in under three hours, the island features a range of accommodation options, more than 20 restaurants and bars, over 60 tours and experiences, championship golf, spa and wellness experiences, and easy access to Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef.

Thesundays.com.au | Hamiltonisland.com.au

 

Images

Images are available here

 

 

 

About us:

About Hamilton Island

Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is Australia’s tropical island. Offering direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in under three hours, the island features a range of accommodation options, more than 20 restaurants and bars, over 60 tours and experiences, championship golf, spa and wellness experiences, and easy access to Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef.

Thesundays.com.au | Hamiltonisland.com.au

 

Contact details:

Caroline Denyer
E: [email protected]

M: 0433995947