/dine/pebble-beach/qualia-pebble-beach-dining-experience-dusk.png?w=414&h=420&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-y=0.5&fp-x=0.5)
/Dine/Pebble-Beach/qualia-pebble-beach-restaurant-outlook.jpg?w=580&h=250&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-y=0.5&fp-x=0.5)
21 Sep 2026
qualia has retained its MICHELIN Key for a second consecutive year in the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 Global Selection, as Hamilton Island celebrates two MICHELIN Key hotels on one island.
The internationally acclaimed, adults-only retreat is joined by The Sundays, Hamilton Island’s newest boutique hotel created with families in mind, which has received its first MICHELIN Key following its opening in 2025.
The MICHELIN Key is the hotel distinction of the MICHELIN Guide, recognising outstanding hotels around the world. Hotels are independently assessed across criteria including design, service, character, value and their connection to place.
The 2026 Global Selection added 470 new hotels across 79 destinations worldwide, with 92 Key hotels recognised across Oceania, spanning Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia. Two of those are on Hamilton Island.
For qualia, the MICHELIN recognition follows a year that also saw the adults-only luxury retreat receive Condé Nast Traveler’s inaugural Triple Crown, recognising hotels that have appeared across its Hot List, Gold List and Readers’ Choice Awards since their inception.
Since opening in 2007, qualia has continued to evolve through considered refinement. Recent additions include Executive Chef Joshua Hingston’s Pebble Beach Collection, a bespoke, guest-led wellness collaboration with Fluidform founder Kirsten King, alongside unique access to Whitehaven Beach, Heart Island and the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.
“Retaining our MICHELIN Key for a second year means a great deal to the team,” said Rebecca Hamey, General Manager, qualia.
“What has always defined qualia is exceptional privacy, intuitive personalised service and a deep connection to the beauty of the Whitsundays. Our guests come here for a complete escape; whether that’s through our dining and wellness experiences, a private day exploring the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, or simply enjoying the stillness of qualia itself. We’re incredibly proud to have that recognised again by MICHELIN.”
The Sundays’ first MICHELIN Key marks another milestone for the 59-room boutique hotel since opening on Catseye Beach in 2025. It follows its inclusion in Travel + Leisure’s It List 2026 and recognition as Gourmet Traveller’s Resort of the Year 2026, while Catseye Pool Club, its restaurant by Josh and Julie Niland, received its first Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat in 2026.
“Receiving our first MICHELIN Key so soon after opening is a very proud moment for our team,” said Raza Syed, General Manager, The Sundays.
“The Sundays was created as a place for families to relax, reconnect and enjoy time together. From days by the waters-edge pool and beach to long, shared meals at Catseye Pool Club, there’s an easy rhythm to a stay here that is all about being together. To have that recognised by MICHELIN, alongside qualia here on Hamilton Island, makes us incredibly proud.”
The recognition comes amid a wider evolution of Hamilton Island’s accommodation, dining and experiences, and a year of accolades for Australia’s Tropical Island.
For more information, visit hamiltonisland.com.au.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About the MICHELIN Guide Hotel Selection
The MICHELIN Guide’s hotel selection is independently assessed by inspectors who travel anonymously to identify hotels offering outstanding experiences.
The MICHELIN Key is the hotel distinction awarded by the MICHELIN Guide, equivalent to the MICHELIN Star for restaurants. Hotels can receive One, Two or Three MICHELIN Keys, with One MICHELIN Key recognising “a very special stay”.
In 2026, the MICHELIN Guide’s global hotel selection spans more than 9,400 hotels, including 2,832 MICHELIN Key hotels worldwide. Oceania is home to 92 Key hotels across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia.
About qualia
qualia is a private, adults-only retreat on the secluded northernmost tip of Hamilton Island, offering an intimate expression of Australian luxury in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
The retreat comprises 61 private pavilions across its Leeward, Windward and Seaward categories, with private plunge pools in the Windward and Seaward pavilions, alongside two exclusive-use residences. Known for exceptional privacy and intuitive personalised service, qualia is designed around its natural setting and views across the Coral Sea.
Guests have unique access to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays, including the iconic Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach. Experiences range from Journey to the Heart and Cultural Island Discovery with Ngaro man Robbie Congoo to complimentary private beach drop-offs and guided nature walks. Cultural Island Discovery explores rock art and native flora through a direct connection to Country.
Dining and wellness experiences include Long Pavilion, Pebble Beach and Spa qualia, with recent additions including Executive Chef Joshua Hingston’s Pebble Beach Collection and a bespoke, guest-led wellness collaboration with Fluidform founder Kirsten King.
A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, qualia’s recent international recognition and selections include Condé Nast Traveler’s inaugural Triple Crown 2026, MICHELIN Keys in 2025 and 2026, La Liste – World’s Best Hotels 2026, 50 Best Discovery 2026 and Newsweek’s World’s Most Extraordinary Spas 2026. Pebble Beach and Long Pavilion each received an Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat in 2026.
For more information visit qualia.com.au
About The Sundays
The Sundays is Hamilton Island’s 59-room boutique hotel overlooking Catseye Beach. Opened in 2025 and created with families in mind, The Sundays is centred on time together, relaxation and reconnection.
The hotel features a guest-only waters-edge lagoon pool and beach, private cabanas and Catseye Pool Club by Josh and Julie Niland. The Sundays was named Gourmet Traveller’s Resort of the Year 2026 and included in Travel + Leisure’s It List 2026, while Catseye Pool Club received its first Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat in 2026.
For more information visit: Thesundays.com.au
About Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is Australia’s Tropical Island in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and the only Whitsundays island with its own commercial airport, with direct flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. The island provides access to Whitehaven Beach, Heart Island, Heart Reef and the wider Whitsundays.
Accommodation ranges from qualia, The Sundays and adults-only Beach Club to Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows and self-catering holiday homes. The island also offers more than 20 restaurants and bars, two spas, a marina and more than 60 activities and experiences.
Five Hamilton Island restaurants were recognised in the 2026 Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat Awards, including two Hats for Bommie, alongside Long Pavilion and Pebble Beach at qualia, Catseye Pool Club at The Sundays and Hamilton Island Golf Club.
Recent additions and developments across the island include Ocean Table and Talk & Taste at Beach Club, a reimagining of the Sails pool and restaurant, guided e-mountain biking through Hamilton Island’s 25km network of nature trails, and Cultural Island Discovery with Robbie Congoo.
Hamilton Island’s annual events include Hamilton Island Race Week and pas de deux in Paradise with The Australian Ballet.
For more information visit: hamiltonisland.com.au
Media enquiries
Caroline Denyer | Group Communications Manager
pr@hamiltonisland.com.au | +61 433 995 947
Images:
Image selects are available here. Additional images available for download from the Hamilton Island image gallery here (one-time registration is required) or on request.
