Wows, waves, and waiting lines: Staying at Gold Coast’s hottest hotel

Sunday, 12 July 2026

When I first walk in, I instantly say 'Wow.' The room is calming, stunning, and behind sheer curtains, the blue and cream of Burleigh Beach stretches out. The waves quickly become the soundtrack of the entire stay, their soft crashing the last thing I hear at night and the first in the morning.

The place

Mondrian Gold Coast is right on Burleigh Beach on The Esplanade – a bustling highway of runners and walkers at all times of day. Its interiors feature heavy stone, dark wood and structural cactuses to create a sophisticated space that is also coastally laid-back.

The striking property is a firm favourite with travellers and locals alike.

The room

I stay in a 12th-floor studio ocean king room where, at the push of a button, electric sheer blinds glide open to reveal a spectacular ocean view. Opening the heavy, triple-stacker sliding door allows the shushing sound of the surf to fill the room. With a jungle-print couch and stone coffee table, it is an exceptionally nice place to be—frankly, I’d be quite content to see out a holiday right here.

The luxury is in the details: a statement pink marble countertop in the bathroom, a rain shower head and a television that rises out of the couch.

The amenities

A Nespresso machine is ready for morning brews and the bathroom is stocked with a full suite of Le Labo toiletries in the cult-favourite Santal 33 scent.

The hotel has a 25m lap pool and magnesium plunge pools. Guests can hire ebikes or surfboards too.

The food

The all-day restaurant, Lito, offers a unique twist on avo on toast with a spiced avocado bruschetta. Pieces of avocado are piled high on stracciatella-topped toast, paired with pesto and chilli. It is easily the place to be in the mornings, but Saturday proved it can be a victim of its own success. The room was absolutely chocka and noticeably short-staffed. Guests waited 10 minutes in line just to be told a table would be another 15 minutes.

At Haven on level three, the service was sluggish. The menu leans heavily into meats and fish, and the staff had to read the menu with me to identify any vegetarian options. I ordered the Geisha margarita flavoured with yuzu, elderflower and plum salt and the market fish of the day—a 200g trevally. As for dessert, I was not offered a menu.

Worth stepping out for

Burleigh Beach is right on your doorstep. A 10-minute walk away sits Burleigh Pavilion and its restaurant, The Tropic, which serves excellent food with beach views from its veranda. Directly below is Rick Shores, the delicious dining spot famous for its Moreton Bay bug rolls and flavourful Asian dishes.

The cafe Palm Springs is just a 15-minute walk away, most of it along the beach. Here you can get smoothies, cold foam coffees, and nourishing brunch.

Worth staying in for

The Ciel Spa offers a luxurious range of massages and facials using high-end Augustinus Bader products, alongside cutting-edge treatments like PMB (photobiomodulation) light therapy. Lying on a device resembling a tanning bed, red light is said to penetrate your cells to target inflammation, aid workout recovery, reduce stress and improve sleep.

The highlight

The view from the room and the hotel’s proximity to the beach and culinary scene of Burleigh Heads.

The lowlight

Spotting a tiramisu on the room service menu after dinner, I couldn't resist—even though a $10 tray charge bumped the total price up to A$31 (NZ$37). I was told it would take about 30 minutes but, perhaps they were making it from scratch because, after waiting more than an hour for it to arrive, I called to cancel it. With the two-hour time difference and a big day ahead, sleep won over dessert.

The verdict

A stunning space with gorgeously comfortable rooms and an enviable location; however, the dining options could do with some refining.

The essentials

Mondrian Gold Coast is at 3 First Ave, Burleigh Heads, Queensland.

Rooms start from A$493 (NZ$600) per night. The studio ocean king room with balcony starts from A$1234 per night (NZ$1503). See mondrianhotels.com.

Getting there

Qantas, Air New Zealand and Jetstar fly to the Gold Coast from New Zealand’s main centres.

The writer flew to Gold Coast courtesy of Qantas.