Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia

It offers indulgent luxury, relaxing the mind and spoiling the senses in a setting of rare natural beauty. Visually the resort is 100% tropical Australia, with glimpses of corrugated iron, wide eaves, ventilation slats and breezeways shimmering through a lacework of eucalyptus and flowering melaleucas. However, the elegance of its interiors and fittings, and the excellence of its amenities and services, places it among the best of international resorts.

There are 60 chic one-bedroom guest pavilions, each stylishly appointed. The north-facing Windward Pavilions have stunning ocean views and their own private plunge pool, while the westfacing Leeward Pavilions have private sundecks with open-air cloudburst showers. For something special, the two-bedroom Beach House it the ultimate in secluded luxury.

Qualia's focal point is the Long Pavilion, which has 100 folding glass tours providing panoramic views of the Whitsunday Islands. It is here that guests enjoy the ultimate in fine dining with innovative cuisine created from the freshest of ingredients. More casual dining is offered at the shoreline restaurant on Pebble Beach.

In addition to the beach, the resort has two stunning infinity edge pools. There is a gym and fitness centre with state of the art equipment and an excellent spa with six treatment rooms offering authentically Australian treatments using natural products. A variety of recreational activities include kayaking, snorkelling and catamaran sailing. For those who want to travel further afield, two-seater golf buggies are available for guest's use, and the island itself offers a variety of amenities - luxury yacht charters and helicopter excursions to Whitehaven Beach being favourites.