We were already excited about the imminent opening of Hamilton Island’s newest luxury boutique hotel, The Sundays. But when we heard that award-winning culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland would be leading the hotel’s restaurant space, it shot right up to the top of our bucket lists. 

The hotel is now scheduled to open in April this year, and the Nilands’ restaurant now has a name – Catseye Pool Club. Named after Catseye Bay, which the restaurant overlooks, the ocean-front setting marries nicely with Josh’s whole-fish ethos, but this time with a casual and contemporary twist.

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While the Nilands are best-known for their Sydney fine-dining restaurant Saint Peter, the Hamilton Island iteration of their dining offering will be blending their culinary vision with a warm and family-friendly approach. The Sundays intends to be a luxury boutique hotel that the whole family can enjoy. 

“Julie and I fell in love with the entire vision behind The Sundays,” Josh says. “It reflects so much of what we value – bringing people together to create memories in beautiful surroundings. We can’t wait to introduce a dining experience that feels connected to the island and its incredible natural environment.”

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Catseye Pool Club has been designed for long, lazy, sun-soaked meals, with a menu that’s designed to be shared.

“Whilst ‘family-style’ or ‘share-style’ dining is very much a way restaurants have operated for many years, the Catseye Pool Club approaches its menu with each item very much designed to be enjoyed as a whole table, with all the trimmings coming with each dish,” Josh says

While fish will be the predominant focus of the menu, the Nilands will also be incorporating a selection of land-based proteins and local ingredients, drawing inspiration from the tropical locale. The restaurant will also offer an exclusive breakfast just for hotel guests.

“The menu is still undergoing final deliberation” explains Josh, “but guests can expect beautiful fresh pastries made by the team, ‘CPC’ spanner crab royale, and coconut and verjuice honey bircher.”

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The laid-back and welcoming service of the Catseye Pool Club extends beyond the restaurant. The venue is designed to embody the ethos of The Sundays – a place for relaxation and reconnection.

“It’s about creating an atmosphere where everyone can detach, unplug and simply enjoy being together,” Josh says “We will also extend our hospitality offering to the guest’s pool and sun loungers, with a Queensland ingredient-focused cocktail menu curated by Sam Cocks, the Saint Peter bar director.”

The opening of Catseye Pool Club on Hamilton Island follows The Palms – the island’s new garden bar – and the relaunch of coca chu, the island’s much-loved Southeast Asian restaurant.

Catseye Pool Club and new boutique hotel The Sundays will welcome guests on April 24, 2025. For more information or to book, visit hamiltonisland.com.au/the-sundays

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