Is Mondrian Gold Coast Worth The Hype? My Honest Review Of The Five-Star Hotel
Status: Do Not Disturb
By Natalie McGowan | 2nd September 2025After a long week, pulling into the greenery-lined valet area of Mondrian Gold Coast immediately put my mind at ease.
Despite the dreary conditions outside, our spirits were high as we got settled into our home away from home for the night: an ocean-view suite with a private balcony on the 15th floor. With truly unbeatable views of Burleigh Heads beach and interiors that balance quirky personality with luxe sophistication, I was in heaven – and its name was Mondrian Gold Coast.
Here, it’s the little touches that elevate a stay: Le Labo bathroom products, a welcome note paired with local artisanal chocolates, and a signature room scent I’m still kicking myself for not taking home. You don’t even need to leave your room – with a stocked pantry and bar, you’d be pretty content lying low in your suite for the night.
But alas, dinner reservations were made, so we headed to Haven on the third floor, which shares the level with magnesium plunges and the hotel pool. Overlooking the beach, the pool area is speckled with green-and-white striped lounges and private cabanas, plucked straight from a cool Euro beach club. While I wasn’t quite game enough for a winter swim, the view alone was enough to tempt me.
Back at Haven, we were greeted by Executive Chef Aaron Teece. Having served as Margaret Thatcher’s private chef and cooked for a royal or two, believe me when I say you’re in good hands. The menu leans seafood-centric, celebrating fresh, modern Australian flavours – you really can’t go wrong with any choice.
Afterwards, we headed down to LITO on the lobby level for a nightcap that didn’t disappoint, before retiring to our suite for bed. Maybe it was the plush mattress or the relaxing sounds of the ocean just outside my door, but I had one of the deepest sleeps of my life here.
One of the true perks of a Gold Coast stay is watching the sunrise over the water. We left the curtains open, letting nature be our alarm clock for the morning, and woke up to the sun filling our room. The morning began with a quick breakfast at LITO, followed by a wander through the boutiques of James Street, before heading to Ciel Spa for their signature bio-wellness treatments.
Robe and slippers on, I was shown to my first session: the red light and polythermal light bed. I’ll admit, I’m sceptical when it comes to wellness treatments that promise a long list of health benefits. Plus, I get bored easily, and the idea of lying still for 20 minutes with bright LED lights penetrating my skin’s surface didn’t sound very enticing to me. Nevertheless, I was curious to see what the buzz was about, and the moment I slid in and felt the warmth, I drifted into instant zen. It’s possible the light therapy lovers are onto something here…
That bliss carried into my next treatment: the zero-gravity dry float. If you, like I once did, are wondering “WTF is a zero-gravity dry float?”, picture lying on a warm water-filled membrane that cradles you like you’re floating, without a drop of water touching you. Add meditative music and a weighted eye mask, and I was asleep within minutes. After my back-to-back treatments, I practically floated out of Ciel Spa. Consider the sceptic converted.
Sadly, checkout came too soon, but I left with a promise to return in the near future – ideally with sunnier skies, so I can claim my spot by that irresistible pool.
