It’s not often that work and pleasure collide quite so stylishly. But when you’re invited to film an interview for our video podcast Beautiful Inside with none other than Celeste Barber - Australian icon, comedian, and all-round legend - near her home on the Gold Coast, you lean all the way in. She wasn’t able to shoot in her home this time, so I had to come up with the PERFECT setting. Somewhere achingly cool and visually delightful; somewhere fitting of a comedy queen.
A chic and joy-filled escape with Celeste Barber at the Mondrian Gold Coast – ocean views, quiet luxury, beauty moments and golden-hour glamour.
First Impressions: Chic Meets Chill
You know that moment when you arrive somewhere and immediately decide that now you live here? That was me, stepping into the Mondrian's all-white, marble-drenched lobby – majestic arches soaring above like some sort of luxe Roman holiday fantasy. It's perched right on Burleigh Beach, which has all the beauty of the Gold Coast without the chaos. Think less Surfers Paradise, more Saint Tropez (if Saint Tropez served flat whites and had friendly tradies).
The lobby alone is worth the trip – bronze accents, soft leather banquettes, avant garde art, and marble for days. It whispers quiet luxury, but with an Aussie accent. Jayde and I immediately started scouting corners for impromptu fashion moments. Spoiler: we found many.
The Suite Life (a.k.a. My Fake Apartment)
Our suite was, in a word, ridiculous. In the best way.
You know that moment when you arrive somewhere and immediately decide that now you live here? That was me, stepping into the Mondrian's all-white, marble-drenched lobby.
Separate living and dining zones, a full kitchenette (for making tea and storing snacks I had no intention of cooking), an enormous balcony overlooking the ocean, and a bathroom so beautiful I briefly considered forwarding my mail.
We got to work straight away rearranging the furniture for the vodcast interview, and when she arrived, I gave Celeste a tour as though it were my actual apartment. She played along, graciously admiring the BOOIE beauty stash I'd artfully arranged by the bath – the purple, aqua and gold tones looked like it was purpose built to showcase her brand. All part of the plan. **Celeste**was everything you'd hope she'd be: warm, grounded, unfiltered in the best way – check out our episode here. We chatted on the pod about beauty standards, bullying, social media, and why the world needs more belly laughs. It was real. She was real. And I had to keep pinching myself that this was, in fact, my job.
Fashion Moments (and Jayde's Testino Era)
I brought along a few pieces from Camilla's new collection – flowing silks, earthy tones, divine details – and proceeded to drape myself around the suite very casually, as if I were an extra in La Piscine meets Boogie Nights (but make it Burleigh).
Jayde, who is now basically Mario Testino with a side hustle in Reels, captured various outfits reclining on curved velvet lounges and "wistfully" staring into the distance.
We timed our golden hour shoot on the balcony just right – sunlight bouncing off the ocean, everything bathed in that soft, cinematic glow that makes you look well-rested even when you're running on a flight and three coffees.
Food, Flow and the Scene
The downstairs restaurant was a delightful surprise – modern Italian, all white linen and soft curves. Breakfast here felt vaguely like we'd stumbled into a Vogue editorial: avocado toast, yes, but elevated. Upstairs, Haven Pool Club serves up incredible seafood (the tuna literally looked like a steak) with salsa verde so good I seriously considered licking the plate. I didn't. I'm still trying to be professional.
As the sun dipped, the DJ warmed up, and the pool deck started to sparkle. Jayde and I sat with mocktails in hand, people-watching to our hearts' content. The crowd was impossibly chic – a mix of wellness girlies, media folk, a smattering of influencers pretending not to take photos. A perfect vibe.
Mushroom Modelling (Yes, Really)
Because I never know how to just relax, I also brought along a few bottles of Life Cykel functional mushroom tinctures for a little content creation moment (as one does on a working "holiday"). Jayde and I ended up staging an impromptu photo shoot involving Reishi in the mini bar, Lion's Mane nestled artfully among the suite's indoor cactus, and Cordyceps having a spiritual awakening on the marble coffee table.
There was something deeply satisfying about capturing medicinal mushrooms in a setting usually reserved for champagne and oysters. Peak wellness-meets-decadence. (We nearly lost a pipette to the pool, but don't worry – no tinctures were harmed.)
Why You Should Book Immediately
Let's be honest. If you're a time-poor woman juggling work, family, deadlines and the mental load of remembering what's in the fridge – this is your permission slip to check out.
Not of life, just of the group chat. The Mondrian is restorative by design – marble that soothes your eyes, beds that swallow you whole, ocean views that demand you slow down.
It's luxe without being loud. Glamorous without the try-hard. And just the right amount of curated cool to make you feel like you've still got it (even if you had to pack two serums and forgot your charger).
Final Word
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. But next time I might actually stay in the Ciel Spa longer (think hydrogen water, LED beds and zero-gravity naps ).
So if you're dreaming of an escape where fashion meets function, wellness meets wine, and you meet the version of yourself that's not completely fried – the Mondrian Gold Coast might just be your place.
You bring the Camilla. I'll bring my podcast set up.
Story by Sigourney Cantelo.
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