InterContinental Hayman Island Resort

Hayman Island Stay: 23–28 May 2026 This review has taken a while to write, but it has been well and truly on my to-do list. My husband and I have been visiting Hayman Island annually since 2010. This tradition has continued now that we are a family of four, with our two daughters now aged 10 and 7. We have seen Hayman through its various incarnations, and one thing is certain: no matter who is running the resort, the beauty of this location is unmatched. Nature has truly outdone itself here.Hayman has recently received some negative reviews, so we were apprehensive about how the new management might impact the holiday experience. However, I can truly say that this stay ran extremely smoothly. Recognition for IHG Ambassadors was definitely present, and guest loyalty appeared to genuinely matter on this occasion. Our Guest Relations Manager, Marta, made a conscious effort to connect with us and the girls during our stay, which made a wonderful difference. While I reached out to the new General Manager several times prior to arrival and received no response, the staff raved about how wonderful he is and how much he cares about both the workers and the guest experience.For those who haven’t been before, I will run through the main notable components :Boat Transfer It was great to see some positive returns to this experience. Upon boarding the beautiful yacht, the makeshift charcuterie snack made a welcome reemergence. This is provided just on arrival to the island. On the way back, you are given a healthy, individually boxed bar to consume. While it is a nice gesture, most people did not seem to enjoy it, and it felt like a somewhat strange choice. Otherwise, the service is great, and drinks are free-flowing, with sparkling wine, beer, soft drinks, and juice all available. Check-in is seamlessly handled either prior to arrival or on the vessel.Island Greeting Upon arrival at Hayman, you are greeted by several golf buggies ready to drive you to reception for your room keys and what they called an “orientation” to the island. This was a new feature this time. During our last visit, it was just a key handover with nothing more, which is fine for us as we know the island very well. This time, the orientation was conducted in a group setting and run through very quickly by a new employee who did not appear to know much about the island. If this had been our first time, we definitely would have needed to seek out clarification and proper information. Historically, each family or couple was allocated a dedicated staff member to walk them to their room, show them the island, and answer questions—which was by far the superior version. Room We have stayed in every room type over the years. This year, we opted for a 2-Bedroom Hayman Suite, which was beautifully appointed on level 3 of the Lagoon Wing. The balcony was large and the views were beautiful. The balcony was dirty, but that is to be expected with the local birds and wildlife; anyone being realistic cannot expect pristine outdoor areas. The interior cleanliness was fine, though we did have to call room service on two occasions because the room had still not been serviced by 4:00 PM after we had been out all day. They responded quickly, and everything was rectified. We also requested turndown service, which is always a nice touch. Of all the accommodation types, the 2-Bedroom Hayman Pool Suite remains our absolute favourite. Food Breakfast was great, as usual. They have changed the layout of the hot food section and ensured the food is kept warm, which is a nice improvement. There is plenty to choose from, and eggs are cooked to order upon request. The juicer is excellent. My only minor complaints are that the ginger ran out on day one of our stay and was never replaced, and according to my daughters, the mini donuts ran out on day four, which was a disappointment for them. All in all, breakfast is still amazing.Dinner was a better experience overall compared to our last stay. Reservations for the three on-island restaurants should be made well in advance of your holiday to ensure you get your preferred times. Amici, the Italian restaurant, was good, and the pizza seems to be back up to standard. Bam Bam was underwhelming for us on this occasion; the food came out cold, which made it coagulated and unpleasant, and the kids did not enjoy their meals here. Pacific, the more premium restaurant, was lovely. The service and food were amazing, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed their meals. Generally across all restaurants at dinner, service can be quite slow, and you may have to ask for things more than once. Pool Experience Overall, the spaces were well-maintained and the pool staff were attentive. The cocktails were a bit inconsistent depending on who was making them, but the staff were very open to feedback and eager to improve. Spa We always visit the spa and are never disappointed. This experience always feels luxurious, and this stay was no exception. Salon We loved Willow previously, and now Tori is equally amazing and incredibly talented. Conclusion All in all, our stay at Hayman was great. If you are expecting rigid 5-star service, you may be disappointed. However, if you have a more laid-back attitude, the beauty of this location is unmatched, and the staff truly try their best to assist. Upper management appears to be moving in a positive direction, attempting to reinstate some of the old-school charm that used to come with visiting the island.My one ongoing suggestion—ever since they removed the Beach Pavilion cocktail hut in 2013—is to improve the nightlife. The current bar situation is dire. Bar 50 doesn’t really even pretend to be a bar anymore despite its name. Pacific, the breakfast and dinner restaurant, has a small area at the entrance that features live music on some nights, which is the only real bar-like venue. I think Hayman can do better. They have a massive space that remains empty behind Bar 50, which used to house an amazing French restaurant named Fontaine back in the day. It is now just dead space. I urge them to reinvent it: turn it into a beachside bar with live music serving desserts and ice cream. It could be split into an area for families and another for adults who prefer quiet. Bring back the charm with lawn games and limbo!With that said, my family and I will continue to return to Hayman Island, as it truly remains our happy place. Thank you to all the hardworking staff, to Marta, and to the wonderful spa and salon teams who made our stay extra special.

Far From 5-Star Honeymoon: Ridiculous Prices and Inconsistent Billing! We booked this trip for our honeymoon, expecting a luxury, top-tier tropical getaway, but this is not a 5-star resort by any stretch of the imagination. We are not ones to complain about anything, but our experience here was so incredibly disappointing that we felt compelled to warn others. While the natural surroundings are beautiful, the actual resort experience, hospitality was completely ruined by what should have been a special, once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Average and Overpriced Food: The food across the board was average at best. Nothing we ate tasted premium, yet we were charged fine-dining prices for mediocre meals. It is not at all worth the money they are asking. Ridiculously High Prices: The prices for everything on the island—from basic drinks to simple poolside snacks—are completely inflated. You expect an island premium, but these prices are just downright ridiculous for the quality you receive. Hidden Costs and Shady Billing: Watch your statements like a hawk when you charge to your room. There are massive hidden costs here. We encountered highly inconsistent billing when charging items to our room. Charged For Things We Didn't Have: To make matters worse, we were repeatedly charged for items and services we never even had or ordered. We were even charged for mini bar items—both inside the fridge and outside—that weren’t even there to begin with! Deceptive Post-Stay Charges: To top it all off, we were sent an email notifying us of these extra mini bar charges only after we returned home. When we tried to call the resort to sort out their mistake, we got absolutely nowhere. Trying to constantly dispute these phantom charges completely stripped away the romantic, relaxing holiday vibe we were supposed to have. One Bright Spot in a Failing Team: The single saving grace of our stay was the manager, Cassie. While we had a great experience with Cassie as she tried to rectify our issues, the rest of the team completely let her down. Her efforts couldn't make up for the widespread problems across the property. The resort desperately needs an internal review and needs more people like Cassie. Maybe then it will eventually get to where it needs to be to be considered a true 5-star destination. Until then, save your hard-earned money—especially if you are celebrating something special—and go somewhere else.

I’ve always wanted to stay at Hayman Island. My husband passed away unexpectedly two months ago so was looking to book a trip for my 20 year old daughter and myself. I rang to find out if we can request a room to have twin beds only to be told it would only be confirmed on arrival. Sorry, I’m not going to spend the money to find out we have to share a bed, you’ve lost our possible patronage.

The location is absolutely stunning, the rooms incredibly comfortable, but above all else the staff is exemplary! Of particular note, Lara went beyond all my expectations as did Gabriel. But ALL that worked at the property were kind, helpful, professional and fun! Had an AMAZING experience at the Salon and Spa. A true and amazing artist in the hair salon not only repaired my over processed hair, but gave me a great hair cut and styling.

We visited to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, and it was an unforgettable experience. The scenery, activities, food, accommodation, and, above all, the outstanding hospitality from the staff were all exceptional. Every moment exceeded our expectations and gave us memories that we will never forget. We’re already talking about coming back from Japan to celebrate another special anniversary someday. Thank you so much for giving us such a wonderful trip.