USP qualia is an indulgent, secluded resort tucked away from the throng
of Hamilton Island with a calm, contemporary spa to match. There are
spacious treatment rooms filled with natural light, and a gorgeous
wooden-floored, open-sided Meditation Pavilion – attend twice-weekly
sessions or book a slot for your own practice.
Alongside beauty therapy with almost-edible skincare products from Eminence in
Hungary are some interesting holistic signature treatments, including a
Bularri Yarrul hot stone massage using 300 million year old naturally-formed
stones and the Anoint Chakratherapy massage, which uses specially prepared
(and blessed, no less) Australian essential oils.
AMBIENCE Spa qualia is beautifully open, so you can breathe the sea air
and enjoy views across the Whitsunday islands. Arrive in your own electric
buggy – somehow driving it yourself makes the experience more fun than naff.
Relaxation and treatment rooms are centred around a courtyard flagged with
water pools and over-size pots and urns made out of lava; floor-to-ceiling
glass doors mean you choose whether you want your air fresh or
air-conditioned. qualia’s staff are briefed not to say no to guests, and
this level of service carries over into the spa, where discretion and
pampering are assured.
EXPERIENCE I thoroughly de-stressed with one of qualia’s star signature
treatments - a one-to-one session of stretching and meditation followed by
an Anoint Chakratherapy massage. Spa manager Helena talked me through ten
basic stretches designed to work each of the core muscle groups, after which
we meditated together for 30 minutes.
Sat on a specially shaped meditation cushion and draped with a chocolate brown
shawl, I really enjoyed this - I hadn’t meditated with just one other person
for a long time, and the joint energy created was just what I needed. If
you’ve never meditated before, Helena goes back to basics with you.
I was then escorted to a different room and given some herbal tea and a foot
soak while I filled out an Energetic Profile Card. Using written prompts to
help me, I ticked the Chakra zones of my body which I felt needed attention
- I went for ‘Base Chakra’ to connect me to the earth, ‘Throat Chakra’
because I liked the sound of ‘trusting and following my dreams’, and ‘Earth
Star Issues’ because, it said, ‘international travel could push my Earth
Star out of alignment’.
If talking about energy isn’t quite your thing, you can fill in a Physical
Profile Card to the same effect. Helena then chose the appropriate Anoint
essential oils and got to work with an effective touch – I left feeling
grounded and serene.
It’s not just the treatments at qualia that leave you feeling zen. Our
Windward Pavilion was a huge and healing place to sleep. My husband and I
tried sailing in a baby catamaran, a deeply peaceful and pleasurable
experience, and spent many a happy hour swimming in the lap pool and a huge
infinity pool.
There’s no sign of the ubiquitous poolside stripy towel – drape yourself with
funky black and red floral towels designed by Kenko instead.
FOOD qualia serves up inventive gourmet delights at two very different
restaurants, the serene Long Pavilion and beachside restaurant Pebbles. Spa
afficionados will especially love the light and tasty lunch menu – I could
quite happily have eaten the Chermoula spiced tiger prawn salad every day
for a week.
IN CROWD Honeymooners, couples celebrating anniversaries, mothers and
daughters, celebrities. Under 18s are not allowed, so you can be assured
that raucous splashing won’t spoil your cocktail hour(s).
WALLET WATCH From 1400 AUD$ a night (about £603) in a Leeward Pavilion,
which includes accommodation, all your meals and non-alcoholic beverages,
VIP chauffeur service, VIP transfers from airport and use of non-motorised
water craft. Access to the Meditation Pavilion for your own private practice
costs 40 AUD$ (about £17); a Stretching, Meditation & Anoint
Chakratherapy Massage costs 300 AUD$ for 2.5 hours (about £130).
Qantas fly from London to Sydney from £798 return including all taxes and
charges (08457 747 767, www.qantas.co.uk).
Jetstar Airways fly from Sydney to Hamilton Island from 159 AUD$ (about £70)
return (www.jetstar.com.au).
NEED TO KNOW qualia, Hamilton Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland,
Australia, +61 2 9433 3349, www.qualia.com.au.
For more than 245 independent spa reviews click here: timesonline.co.uk/goodspaguide
