The prestigious Relais & Châteaux association has added Hamilton Island’s luxury resort qualia to its celebrated collection.

The revered Relais & Châteaux association has long provided the discerning traveller with the best private hotels and fine-dining restaurants worldwide. In late 2011, the membership-based hotel and restaurant group added 45 new members to its collection. Just two of the new hotel members were from Australia.

qualia will be promoted in the 2012 Relais & Châteaux guide, distributed to 800,000 of the world’s most astute travellers and restaurant-goers each year.

A unique Australian expression of world-class luxury, qualia is nestled intimately on the edge of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Testament to its names’ Latin origins, ‘a collection of deeper sensory experiences’, qualia occupies Hamilton Island's unashamedly beautiful and sun-drenched northern-most tip.

It’s easy to see why qualia was selected to join Relais & Châteaux.The multi-award winning resort oozes understated luxury and quintessential Australian charm, and boasts a myriad of fantastic facilities and features, including its iconic location.

Located at the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, qualia is the perfect place to make some unexpected discoveries. From exploring the wondrous diversity of underwater life abundant in the Earth's largest coral reef ecosystem, to taking a bird’s eye view of beautiful Heart Reef on a private scenic helicopter flight, or unwinding on the pristine sands of Whitehaven Beach, Australia's most photographed beach, qualia’s location is second to none.

No expense was spared in the creation and execution of the resort. Its unique design combines a sense of space, openness and harmony that draws the outside in. Set amongst native Eucalypts, and with breathtaking views of the luminous Coral Sea and neighbouring Whitsunday islands, the 60 luxurious pavilions are an indulgent space to unwind in, with either a sundeck or private infinity edge plunge pool.

qualia’s outstanding facilities include two tranquil infinity-edged pools, two bars and restaurants, a private dining room, library, fitness centre and Spa qualia. Guests of qualia also have full access to Hamilton Island's Yacht Club and world-class 18-hole championship golf course on neighbouring Dent Island.

For bookings and more information visit www.qualia.com.au

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Notes to editors:
qualia, Australia's world class luxury resort on the Great Barrier Reef, is located on the secluded and breathtakingly beautiful northern-most point of Hamilton Island. qualia has 60 elegant one-bedroom pavilions and a Beach House, each set among eucalyptus trees with postcard views of the idyllic blue and green waters of the Whitsundays. Two superb restaurants and Spa qualia cater exclusively to guests of the resort. Hamilton Island can be accessed directly from all east coast international gateway cities in less than three hours. qualia is a member of Relais & Châteaux and welcomes guests 16 years and over.

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