InterContinental Hayman Island Resort

Recent visit to Hayman Island My review is based on previous trips (8 in past 4yrs) compare to our trip in October 2025. Previously at Hamilton Island airport you are meet by staff at a desk, however this year there was no desk and the staff standing there with no sign but their uniform. Unusual since all the other properties on Hamilton Island have signs or desk. Not a criticism of Hayman Islan but we waited 30minutes for our luggage (Qantas). Once on board the luxury transfer, we were meet by staff which did a particularly good job and no complaints, and they look after us very well. Due to this being an afternoon transfer, you previous got a box of goodies (Sandwiches, nuts etc) which went with our drinks supplied by the Hayman Island but this time drinking my beverage we were supplied with a Brownie which did not go with the beverages we were drinking. On the return dehydrated pineapple. Really unusual choices. On arrival at Hayman Island our golf buggy transfer was going well until we arrived at the pathway to reception and was told to walk that way. Normally you are meet by staff who would normally show you around the resort, but we walked to reception was meet by a staff member and just handed our keys and said enjoy your stay and went back to the reception desk. Unfortunately, that was for everyone and some of the fellow guest did not know were to go. We assisted with directions and did this a few times with other guest on other days. Not sure this is classed as warm welcome for a 5 star resort. We love our rooms we get, and this was the same on this trip. The only comments I have is the mat was dirty, a dead fly was on the floor for the entire stay, the smell from the pond in front of our room was a little off but the amenities are excellent and BYREDO is a great product. The resort itself: The service is probably the best I have experienced in all the stays from the pool side services (both), Pacific with breakfast was good and sometimes a little slow with coffee but understandable, Amici was good but quality of food lacking. Reception is the let down. We requested a change in a water bottle and all good there but after a few hours we went chased it up to be told it already had been changed over and after informing reception that I have just come the room, and hadn’t the reception staff checked and it had not and had arrange something else. Pacific bar menu is not really that good and missed the schnitzel or parmi as we had before at Bar 55. Don’t understand why a drink (Imperial Harmony) you cannot get at the Aqua bar but at Bam Bam pool area? The pond surrounding needs cleaning or something the smell was very off putting several people mentioned in the Bam Bam pool area. There are large pavers/tiles missing off the side of the walkway from the hotel rooms to the pool areas and the pools are need of maintenance (painter in the pool painting the walkway at Aqua pool area). I wouldn’t say having a sponsor supply cheap pool furniture around the pool area is a great look consider we received a $22 bottle of sparking on arrival. The resort is looking tired due to no watering and a lot of dead plants and grass. Even with wedding pictures on the resort Instagram it stands out. The standout was the guys and girls at the water activities area and they were so friendly and helpful which everyone on the island should strive for. Your professionalism and willing to help was outstanding. The Grove girls are great as well and thanks for your help. Unfortunately, not all positive and I do put this down to mismanagement. There was a very large number of guests staying to do with a conference or something which was ok, but they had functions in the courtyard outside our room on 2 nights which went late, and the trolleys being pushed along outside our room did not allow us to sleep until very late (midnight) and not very relaxing. A note to inform would have been great to receive or something to inform us. Then on their last night the farewell party on the beach with a band smashing out so much loud music that no one could sleep. This was the worse I have ever come across. People yelling and music blasting was so ridiculous. I understand these things must happen but no notification or consider another location e.g. heli pad or around the corner a little more. Technology is starting to take over the app had glitches with no times for the water activities at times and not up to date. Not easy to follow. The resort is struggling in my eyes to stay a 5 star but the island itself is beautiful and this is why we go. The overpricing of food vs quality needs to be addressed. We use always see management walking around on previous trips but this one we only saw one on the last day getting coffees at Pacific. I believe this is a great way to support staff but also gives us the guest an opportunity to talk to someone. We unfortunately have decided this maybe our last time as the resort is not the direction we had hoped for. We struggled to relax with noise and not really into the party atmosphere.

Fiftytoes said it perfectly in their recent review. This is not a 5 star hotel, a high 3 at best. We had a poor check in experience where IHG Ambassador guaranteed benefits were not delivered on and we waited 30+ minutes in the lobby for a “manager” to quote T&Cs and say there is nothing they could do. If the hotel couldn’t deliver the benefits we had paid for they should have planned for it at check in and discussed with us when we checked not make us wait so long after a 36hour journey to do absolutely nothing. This set the tone for the service, this is clearly a hotel where it’s all about maximising guest charges. Room and pool were beautiful and it’s a great location, however other than Breakfast which is very good the food has been awful. We had two mediocre meals and two bad meals where dishes ended up being refunded they were so bad (burnt pizzas and poor bland and inaccurate attempts at Asian cuisine), wine also universally bad but very expensive. Given the premium pricing charged the quality didn’t match and felt very poor value. Service is very slow, surprising given how many staff there are (20 mins for a coffee at breakfast and 40 mins for ice to room). Excursions were a downright rip off and essentially just a boat taking you to a location, for AUD $249 a person I would expect much more. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel or return to it.

I’ve never written a TripAdvisor review before, but after visiting the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, I feel like a survivor giving testimony. I’ve stayed at Four Seasons retreats where staff anticipate your next breath, and motels where the only amenity was existential dread, but never anything quite like this. Hayman Island isn’t a resort; it’s Jurassic Park three days after the fences failed. Check-in felt like a social experiment. The front desk attendant smiled, vaguely gestured down a hallway, and said, “Your room’s that way.” That was the full extent of the orientation. No escort, not even a circled dot on a map. Just a general wave toward what I now know is a labyrinth of confusion and bird droppings. As I wandered aimlessly through a maze of hallways, I passed scene after scene that looked like the aftermath of a parrot food fight. The general vibe of a cruise ship that had been left at sea too long. Power washing apparently went extinct here sometime in the 2010s. Let’s talk about the birds. I love nature, but the breakfast buffet was a live-action remake of The Birds meets WWE Smackdown. Flocks dive-bombing tables, stealing pastries mid-bite, and strutting into the kitchen like they’re clocking in for their shift. The staff seem utterly defeated. Occasionally one would wave an arm in mild protest, but mostly, they just let the avian overlords run the place. I began to suspect the birds are the management, they’re certainly the most active presence on the property. In five days, I didn’t see a single exterior maintenance staff member. Not one. The ponds are murky and smell faintly of sewage, the gardens look like they gave up trying to be gardens years ago, and the whole place feels like a “before” shot in a renovation reality show. Housekeeping? They make the bed, swap towels, and call it a day. One afternoon, they even left a bag of trash on our dining table, which really ties the room together, in a dystopian sort of way. We also found clothes from previous guests in our closet. Apparently, “check-out” applies only to people, not belongings. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to stay at a luxury resort entirely staffed by interns on their first day, wonder no more. Everyone is kind, but completely lost. You ask about a cabana reservation, and they look at you like you’ve just asked how to split the atom. It’s not their fault; they’re young, polite, and trying their best. But there’s no training, no support, and clearly no management. Which brings me to… Does Hayman Island have a general manager? The evidence suggests “no.” Reviews from others mention the same thing, no one can seem to find them, and requests to speak with management vanish into the ether. If this resort were a movie, the GM would be an unseen character everyone talks about but no one has ever actually met. This is the most painful part, because the location is breathtaking. The views of the turquoise sea and surrounding islands rival Bora Bora or the Caribbean. But while your eyes take in paradise, everything around you whispers, “abandon hope.” It’s like admiring a Ferrari parked under a tarp in a junkyard. InterContinental’s website should win an award, for Best Use of Photoshop in a Fantasy Setting. The marketing materials make this place look like a modern tropical masterpiece. In reality, it’s the ghost of a once-great resort clinging to relevance with stock photography and adjectives. I’ve stayed at several InterContinental properties before, and while they never stood out, they also never offended me. Unfortunately, Hayman Island managed to permanently torch whatever goodwill I had for the brand. I will forever associate “InterContinental” with this masterclass in mismanagement. So, if you want to experience true luxury, look elsewhere. But if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to stay in the afterlife of a five-star resort that has been reclaimed by nature, Hayman Island is waiting. Just don’t forget your map, your disinfectant wipes, and a sense of humor. You’ll need all three.

Nice and relaxing environment, there was always a sun lounge available , buffet breakfast was delicious, lots of choices . Catamarans were fun and included Nice walk up to the look out (it require some energy and good shoes) Gift shop has some basics like sandwiches ($10) and cans drink ($5), 6 packs of beer $40-$48 Birds were annoying , don’t leave any food at breakfast, Around the pool or on your balcony as they will swarm down and take it Fish Feeding worth a walk to see Filtered water available all over resort Tennis, ping pong and squash good for kids and an afternoon activity Pool wing was nice, over looking the main pool Lagoon rooms and attached pool Seemed more for families but nice Blue Bay afternoon trip was good , snorkelling fun and relaxing. Interesting coral beach . But it’s self guided and you basically get dropped off. Which is fine as long as you know BUT- the attention to detail was poor, missing amenities like bottle openers, the room lighting was very confusing and annoying at 2am if you wanted to use the bathroom. Dirty veranda, table and chairs were cheap and dirty Food choice is poor (apart from breakfast) it was expensive, and it was not worth it. After a Few days your left thinking “ what are we going to do tonight “ If you want take away pizza go and order from Italian restaurant- they were nice Out of date mini bar items, no price list Area of resort closed or a few times due to weddings Loud music and wedding near rooms (not a function room but an outdoor space) until 10pm one night They could do better

I have been to the resort at this time of year for a few years now. The service has definitely improved on last year. The island has recently taken on a heap of students for internship. Some of the pool bar staff were really friendly, happy to chat, great service. Room was clean. A few little things have changed - no snacks on the transfer over, no welcome at reception. Expect island prices - it is not cheap!