Mondrian Gold Coast

Overall, The Mondrian is a hotel I love but there are a few areas of improvement: Pros: - amazing location, a truly beachside hotel within walking distance to the buzz of James St. The close proximity to playgrounds and Tallebudgera Beach is a major plus for families! - rooms are modern and beautifully appointed and very child friendly - the gym is great and the pool is small, but still very lovely - great breakfast service. I availed of my Accor privileges which was great value. Our waiter Ansa/Anna was exceptionally lovely Cons: - staff hospitality was very variable, ranging from exceptional (there was a lovely man from NZ whose name I didn't catch but he was warm and welcoming and extremely kind) to somewhat apathetic. I think staff training would be worthwhile to standardise the experience. - the lifts! We were there in peak season and it would take an average of 8-12 minutes to secure a lift, by which point we were often packed like sardines! It was such a constant source of delay that we had to factor it into our schedule. An additional lift would really enhance the experience - extra cost of amenities. Charging guest parking for a five star hotel is really extortionate and unnecessary. Self parking should be a standard inclusion. We also had to pay for surfboards and cabanas (the latter being $100!) - having complimentary use of these would be a lovely touch as is offered in other places like Halcyon House.

We were disappointed with our stay at what is marketed as a luxury hotel. When we went to the concierge to ask why our room was not the one we had booked, she insisted it was correct, explaining that there are only six rooms with a full ocean view, which are randomly assigned to guests. This was never communicated at the time of booking, and none of my Accor Gold benefits, such as late check-out, were offered. I’ve stayed at many Accor hotels, and this was by far the worst service I’ve experienced. Paying a premium price for a room that does not meet advertised expectations feels misleading and like false marketing. That said, there were some things I liked. The location is great, the ocean view—although partial—was beautiful, and I enjoyed features like the automatic blinds, hidden TV, and the super comfy bed. However, the service could have been handled better, and it would be helpful to have more photos to manage guest expectations. Calling different rooms the “same room” felt misleading, as sizes, layouts, and views differ, yet the price is the same. Overall, it’s a nice space and a comfortable stay, but clearer communication and more transparency would make the experience truly feel luxury. That said, I will not be returning anytime soon, as the price does not reflect the experience. There are better options at similar or better value, such as Crown Sydney.