InterContinental Hayman Island Resort

Over priced, and food is very average and even below average, 80 percent of food has no flavour, and they charge for very average cocktails. Feel like your getting ripped of with zero quality ...at least have quality and thought for food and beverages. I fell it used to be something but the whole place looks like it's losing its value.

We found the only delivery of 5 star service applied to the launch transfer from Hamilton Island and return. The rest of the service was 3 star at best. On arrival to Hayman Island we were promptly delivered to the reception area around 3.15 to be told that our Pavilion 509 was not ready and could we make our way to Aqua bar and they would call us when the room was ready (they did provide a free drink voucher). Around 4.45 we were called to say the room was finally ready but that they had changed us to 507 (unknown reason and would explain why we couldn’t charge anything to the room from the overpriced shop). We were taken to our Pavilion and left. No explanation how to use the smart features of all the switches etc. The first glimpse of the room felt amazing. Beautiful views to the sea, great little plunge pool and lovely layout of the room. We loved the zippy tap. That is where the amazement ended. Our sparkling wine bottle on arrival was not in the room and in fact we had to ask twice for it to be delivered and finally got it at the end of day 2. The housekeeping department should be ashamed of the service they provided. There were no pool towels on arrival and we were told to use the white bath towels. The dust on the sills was so thick, there was slimy circles in the shower that indicated shampoo bottles had been moved to the window sill and behind the shampoo bottles in the recess had dead bugs and had not been wiped. The tiles behind the bath were filthy. The cleaning was never done until after 330pm. Bed made and towels replaced and that was it. No vacuuming, mopping, Tissue box beside the bed remained empty for the full 5 days. There was only 1 robe, no slippers, turn down service arrived on night 4. We were surprised as we didn’t realise they did it as they only came that one time to offer water and change of towels. If they had made the bed properly and the sheets didn’t pull out from the mattress we would never have noticed the badly stained mattress. Not just one stain either. Pretty disgusting. We decided to use the infinity pool area as there was no shade for the sunlounges at the Pavilion which was a shame. When we arrived to the pool area at 1015 on the second day there were no pool towels. There were staff blowing leaves and cleaning the pool (shouldn’t this be done at first light or at least really early in the morning?) The pool is looking tired and in need of relining. There are holes in the concrete floor. Staff from Bam Bam could never find anyone to deliver drinks or food to, seemed to be a very disorganised system they had and food would be cold when delivered. Food and Beverage gets it’s own mention. We ate at Bam Bam twice and both times was great. Kildine the supervisor is switched on and knows what she is doing. Robin the French waiter was also amazing. Services was prompt and food was good. Pacific: We ate at Pacific once for dinner. The food is terribly overpriced. A single steak on a plate - $68 Whilst the food itself was ok it was not outstanding especially for the price. Service was average. Breakfast was served at Pacific, whilst the food on offer was ok the breakfast buffet tables were not maintained or spillages wiped. Coffee some mornings took longer to come out than we did eating our breakfast. Amici: We ate here once. We arrived to be seated by the lovely Hendi (from Missouri) and we asked immediately that we be moved as it was right next to a crying baby. She obliged and took our orders. That is where the service completely left. She was serving inside and we were moved to outside (karma?). Our meals were brought out. My husband’s pizza was fine but the risotto tasted like tinned tomato soup and not a good one at that. I could barely eat it. We then waited nearly half an hour for our plates to be taken, no wine refill offered, or water. We eventually had to go and find someone and get the bill as we were obviously forgotten about (as were the folks at the tables around us). Room Service: On the last night we opted for room service. The app didn’t work to order, gave it 3 or 4 goes. Called and placed the order. Order arrived 30 minutes later and they had forgotten the added prawns for the salad. They resent the prawns 30 minutes after that. My husband had already finished his meal. They then proceeded to charge us a second delivery fee of $10. This was disputed on checkout and they removed the charge without issue. The pool bars closed at 5pm. The Shop closed at 530pm. Overall, we paid a lot of money for the 5 day getaway, we were disappointed at every turn. It appears that the staff are young, friendly and transient but they appear to have no guidance from middle management. Random checks by housekeeping supervisors is desperately needed and more restaurant supervisors like Kildine. After waiting years to try this resort we were underwhelmed and extremely disappointed. We won’t return ever.

I’ve had the best five days here. Ignore the poor reviews. Service is fab, staff are wonderful. Bam Bam my fave restaurant. And the pools are amazing. It’s a resort. Expect to pay resort prices.

After booking and paying in full, purchasing flights, using Hayman credit, and having work leave approved, our trip has now been cancelled due to a buyout. This is incredibly disappointing. It feels as though other people’s plans, money, and time have been prioritised over ours. The inconvenience caused is significant, both financially and personally. Being offered just $100 in credit to rebook after all of this disruption is extremely poor and does not reflect the impact of the cancellation. This experience has left us very disheartened.

Be aware that they can cancel booking even if you have paid. Booked and paid 8 months ago and 3 months before our holiday they cancelled our booking saying they have a full resort buyout, meaning someone has come in over the top and booked out the whole resort, kicking out everyone who had already booked. They offered alternate accommodation on Hamilton Island, but it wasn’t comparable. They offered a date change and the only compensation was $100 resort credit. Absolute joke!!!