There are some places that stay with you long after you’ve left them. Places that quietly shape who you become. For Hamish Watts, The Retreat Beach Houses is one of those places.
As a boy, Hamish was fortunate to spend his annual family holidays at Peregian Beach. It was a place of wonder — where days were measured not by clocks but by tides. Where he chased waves until his legs were tired, felt the warm sand beneath his feet, and watched the sun melt slowly into the horizon. Those childhood summers were simple, unhurried, and full of joy.
And they never left him.
Those cherished memories quietly ignited a flame — a desire to one day recreate that same feeling for others. The feeling of belonging. Of freedom. Of salty hair and sun-kissed skin. Of family gathered around a table after a long beach day. Of laughter drifting through warm coastal evenings.
Years later, after working around the world and gathering experience across hospitality and tourism, Hamish found himself back at Peregian Beach. But this time, he returned not as a wide-eyed child — rather as a husband, a father, and a man with purpose. Together with his young family — Jess, Kydn and Finn — he saw an opportunity to build something meaningful in a place that had shaped his earliest memories.
Today, Hamish and Jess Watts step into a new chapter as the managers of The Retreat Beach Houses, following the heartfelt stewardship of Gavra and John Barton. We honour and thank Gavra and John for the care and dedication they poured into this beloved coastal haven over the years. Their warmth and commitment helped shape The Retreat into the sanctuary so many guests have come to treasure.
Now, with deep respect for its legacy, Hamish and Jess carry the story forward.
A Vision Rooted in Nostalgia and Joy
For Hamish and Jess, this is more than a management role. It is personal.
Their vision is simple yet profound: to encapsulate that feeling of joy, nostalgia, and happiness Hamish experienced as a child — and to share it with every guest who crosses the threshold of this retreat.
They want your stay to feel effortless. Uplifting. Genuine.
With Hamish and his beautiful wife Jess at the helm, childhood memories are not just stories of the past — they are the blueprint for the future. Together, they strive to create an atmosphere that feels like home. A place that resonates with warmth, familiarity, and joyful nostalgia.
You will feel it in the details:
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In the thoughtful welcome.
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In the gentle pace of the days.
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In the way the ocean feels just steps away.
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In the quiet moments that become the memories you’ll talk about for years to come.
A Family Welcoming Families
As parents themselves, Hamish and Jess understand what family holidays truly mean. They know the magic of sandy feet on timber floors, of kids falling asleep exhausted after a day outdoors, of morning coffees while the sea breeze drifts through open windows.
They also understand the importance of feeling cared for.
Their goal is to lift your heart and make you feel cherished throughout your entire stay — not just accommodated, but genuinely welcomed. Whether you are visiting as a couple seeking stillness, a family chasing connection, or friends gathering to reconnect, they want The Retreat to feel like your place by the sea.
A place you return to.
A place that becomes part of your story.
A Commitment to Place
The beauty of Peregian Beach lies in its understated charm. It has always been a little more local, a little more unhurried. Early swims. Long coastal walks. The rhythm of waves setting the tone for the day.
Hamish’s connection to this landscape runs deep, and that connection extends to how The Retreat operates. Caring for the environment is not an afterthought — it is woven into every aspect of their vision.
Their commitment to sustainability touches everything from energy-saving initiatives to eco-friendly practices across the property. They believe your stay should leave only footprints in the sand. By reducing impact, embracing thoughtful resource use, and respecting the coastal ecosystem, they ensure that this beautiful stretch of shoreline remains just as magical for the next generation as it was for Hamish all those years ago.
It is about preserving the wonder.
Holding the Past, Building the Future
Transitions are powerful moments. They honour what has been while opening space for what is to come.
As Hamish and Jess step into their role at The Retreat Beach Houses, they do so with gratitude — for the families who have holidayed here for decades, for the previous caretakers who nurtured its spirit, and for the community that makes Peregian Beach so special.
They also step forward with excitement.
Excitement to create new memories.
Excitement to welcome familiar faces and first-time guests alike.
Excitement to build something lasting for their own children to grow up within.
Because at its heart, The Retreat is not just about accommodation. It is about feeling. It is about slowing down enough to notice the colours of a sunrise. It is about reconnecting — with family, with nature, with yourself.
Hamish once stood on this beach as a boy, chasing waves with salt on his lips and dreams in his heart. Today, he stands here again — ready to open the doors and invite you into that same magic.
We welcome you to experience this new chapter at The Retreat Beach Houses.
Come for the ocean.
Stay for the feeling.
Leave with memories that linger long after the tide rolls out.
