We bought Hamilton Island in 2003 and immediately stepped back to look at what was really needed for our guests. At the time we felt that there was a real gap at the top end of the market in Australia for a new luxury world class offering, as the last one to have been built was Longitude 131 some years before. We found the perfect location on the Island at the northernmost point and built qualia with 60 pavilions and the Beach House. In order to complete this vision of offering a world-class destination we partnered with Iain Murray and architect Walter Barda to design the Hamilton Island Yacht Club which opened last year with its iconic sweeping design and 35 luxury villas to go with it. We also felt that with the popularity of golf continuing so strongly that we needed a golf course and worked with Peter Thomson to design the 18 hole Hamilton Island Golf Club which opened in August 2009. It has been terrifically popular ever since.

There is no one thing but I think it's about the physical beauty of each of the developments using local natural timbers and stone and architectural design that has them sitting perfectly within their locations. But I think it's also about the guest experience that we have created at Qualia and the Yacht Club and Golf Course.

Absolutely. We worked with architect Chris Beckingham to create something that was really special and distinctively Australian for our guests. You can see this in the use of local wood, the stone, and the way the pavilions sit among the eucalyptus trees. And when guests walk in through the doors of the Long Pavilion and have that view over the sparkling blue Whitsunday waters, well that is the wow factor and the reason people keep coming back to us. They also tell us the place is peaceful and calm not to mention that the food and wine and the service is all world class.

 

I think it's about experience and not gadgets any more - I think people are so time pressured and the luxury they crave is to be able to stop for a moment and take time out of their hectic lives and have someone anticipate their needs, whether that's to get them a glass of champagne or to know when to leave them completely at rest.

It's about the service and anticipating my needs seamlessly. It's also about the overall experience which includes the food and wine - being a winemaking family as well as in tourism the wine is important too. It's also about the look and feel of the place and its people, the staff and the way they are dressed and the way they act.

I love the Ritz on Piccadilly in London  - the building has a sense of history and charm and the service is incredibly efficient.

I particularly like the service on Singapore Airlines.

My iPhone, a credit card and my watch!

We were having dinner at The Ritz one night in London (I will make an exception to eat there!) and there were ten of us at the table. The waiters presented the meals with their silver lids on and all at once - as if choreographed - they lifted the lids in unison. I know this is not unusual but the timing was so perfect and the action so precise that it seemed like one should clap at the beauty of the performance!

The access to new cultures and experiences that we can now enjoy through travel.

Time!

Oatley's Choice

The Ritz: http://www.theritzlondon.com/
Costa Smeralda: http://www.sardegna.com/   www.marinadiportocervo.com

www.robertoatley.com.au    

www.hamiltonislandyachtclubvillas.com.au

www.qualia.com.au