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Annie Brown

It’s a Friday afternoon and I’m suspended in a warm tank of water. What’s slightly discombobulating is that I am completely dry.
The dry float – you lie in a sort of inflatable cocoon – is just one of the “touchless” therapies on offer at the Mondrian Gold Coast’s Ciel Spa.
I think I might be crying. The experience, with meditative music piping through headphones combined with the sensation of floating in warm water, is surprisingly emotional. The sense of peace captured in this moment is something I will hold onto throughout my entire stay at the Mondrian – particularly with coconut margaritas by the pool.
Oh yes, a holiday on the Gold Coast in Australia is not what it used to be.
Opened in mid-2025, this is the first Australian outpost for the Mondrian, a see-and-be-seen place by hotelier and Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager since its first location opened in West Hollywood in 1996.
Marking the hotel’s first property in Australia, this 24-storey, 208-room sculptural, undulating tower in picturesque Burleigh Heads – right across the beach and a short walk to the wellness- and artisanal-pastries-heavy main strip – is a vibe.
The hotel

Designed by Australian architectural firm Fraser & Partners with interiors by Madrid-based Studio Carter, the hotel is the ultimate in laid-back, beach-inspired luxury, where every whim is taken care of.
We check into a two-bedroom Ocean Balcony Home suite, and the first thing to note is the floor-to-ceiling windows that allow natural light to flood the space and the sound of the Pacific Ocean.
Beyond details like the sleek travertine kitchen and custom boucle couch, and an earthy colour palette and curved shapes that help the suite feel immediately soothing, perhaps the most striking part of the space is the sense that the ocean is part of the room. The vastness of the horizon – with a balcony to take it in from – proves that nature is always the best design. The hotel, while undeniably chic, knows to pay homage to this rather than try and compete; it integrates into its surrounds.
It’s also the kind of design that makes you think that with the right coffee table books and play on textures, you might be able to recreate it at home.

There are little touches everywhere too, from Le Labo Santal 33 bath products, to Mondrian-branded visors and beach bags that have a plastic inner lining for carting wet swimsuits.
In the full kitchen, the fridge is stocked with delightful local products, including Papa Salt pre-mixed cocktails – the gin is one of Queensland Golden Girl Margot Robbie’s many projects – and a washing machine. A long oval dining table can be set for a dinner party for six.
The bathrooms are generous with a rain shower, though a bath would have completed the picture. Other room types include studios, three-bedroom suites that would suit intergenerational travellers, the top-floor Sky House with sweeping 180 degree views, and the ground floor Beach House, which has direct access to the esplanade and a private plunge pool.

The pool and the pool club are undeniably the places to be. Nab a striped pool lounger and order a prawn, mango and avocado salad for the ultimate on-holiday feeling. A DJ starts spinning at golden hour and the crowd is glam, but mixed – think families, weekenders and couples. Locals can rent a lounger at certain times for a minimum pool bar spend. On Saturday afternoon, it’s especially buzzy. There are also two magnesium hot tubs where you can dial up the relaxation and, as we discovered, the bar staff will bring you a cocktail there too. Post-plunge, your skin will feel revitalised.
The dining

Mondrian Gold Coast has two restaurants, Haven and Lito. Start the day at the latter, the more casual of the two, along with what seems to be most of Burleigh Heads. Dig into fresh classics such as green bowls with kale and poached eggs or spiced avocado bruschetta. Lunch and dinner have an Italian bent; opt for the spanner crab conchiglie or wood-fired calamari.

Haven has more elevated offerings. It is overseen by executive chef Aaron Teece, who worked as a private chef for Tom Hanks during his extended Australian stay.
There’s a “trawler to table” seafood and seasonal focus; ingredients are finished with woodfire. Tempted by freshness of the seafood, we decided to indulge in the lobster frites with Café de Paris butter. The sashimi of the day was bright and zippy. We couldn’t resist the Basque cheesecake to round things out.

A mention must be made of the fries, served at all venues, and sprinkled with the a signature salt, which Teece reveals to us is made from rehydrated vegetable scraps in the kitchen. With a hint of fragrant curry powder, it is perhaps the most delicious thing we have tried. When we tell Teece he should sell jars of it, he says that this is a suggestion he gets a lot.
The spa

Forget a half-hearted massage with essential oils. Ciel Spa understands that guests at a luxury hotel want a whole lot more from their spa experience.
Wellness has never been hotter (including when it’s an ice cold plunge). Amy Hides, Mondrian Gold Coast’s director of spa and wellness, says this has become a focus for many guests. “Ciel Spa is focused on wellness experiences becoming the normal way for guests to prioritise their hotel stays,” she says.
The aforementioned touchless therapies include cryo and LED-light body treatments. You could also book for a facial with products from luxe skincare brands Augustinus Bader or Synergie Skin. Complete your wellness journey by booking a yoga flow or Pilates class at the fitness centre.
The location

Mondrian Gold Coast is adjacent to the Burleigh Head National Park, and 10 kilometres outside of the central Surfers Paradise district. It feels about a million miles away from the glitz and occasional seediness of the Gold Coast tourist mecca.
The coastline, jagged and rocky, frames the azure ocean. The National Park walk is a must, and in winter and spring, you might even spot a whale.
For those in need of refuelling after taking in nature’s abundance, trendy James Street, just a short walk away, has a slew of artisan cafes – don’t miss the top-notch pastries at Burleigh Bakers – and charming stores, a mix of fashion boutiques and homeware shops.

A slew of restaurants in nearby Mermaid Beach, including the excellent Latin American-inspired Norte, has elevated the Gold Coast dining scene.
For Letitia Vitale, managing partner of Vitale Property Group, which worked with Mondrian parent company Ennismore to bring the hotel’s Gold Coast outpost to life, it was always about being true to the spirit of Burleigh Heads.
“Mondrian Gold Coast was never just about building another hotel for me. It was about creating a feeling. I wanted to deliver a place that captures the energy of Burleigh Heads Gold Coast,” she says.

“Burleigh Heads has grown into a sophisticated, world-class destination, and it felt like the right moment to introduce a brand that’s bold, creative and culturally driven. What makes Mondrian unique is that it’s not simply somewhere to stay, it’s somewhere to be.”
And that feeling – be it from the dry float or poolside vibes – is one guests will want to hold onto, long after they’ve checked out.
The author stayed as a guest of the Mondrian Gold Coast.


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We check into the Mondrian Gold Coast, the first venture in Australia by the boutique brand, established by legendary hotelier and Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager


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.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}We check into the Mondrian Gold Coast, the first venture in Australia by the boutique brand, established by legendary hotelier and Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager

We check into the Mondrian Gold Coast, the first venture in Australia by the boutique brand, established by legendary hotelier and Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager