Anyone who knows anything about Dubai knows that the emirate has a slight obsession with gold. From lamps to Lamborghinis, Dubai residents gild whatever they can with the soft metal – even dispensing chunky nuggets at vending machines across the emirate. The shiny stuff is obviously timeless, to an extent, but it’s not exactly a magnet for millennials, who tend to flock toward muted tones and more down-to-earth materials. Somehow this hotel has both.

There’s something a little different about the aesthetic at FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai. The ultra-modern hotel looks like a horseshoe magnet spaceship, perched on the trunk of the man-made island, but (as all the Disney movies taught us) it’s in the inside that counts. Returning to the one-year-old hotel for the second time this year, the initial wow factor of the dazzling glass-cased lobby remains, with its immense root-like installations reflecting the palm tree theme of the island, and golden elements strewn throughout the ground floor public areas, continuing to the rooms.

The difference here is that the metallic surfaces have a matte finish, perfectly complimenting the light woods, cream tones and tan elements throughout the hotel. It’s another five-star hotel decked out in gold, but nothing quite like what we’ve seen before. For starters, the hotel is thronging with guests. I arrive in July, in 40-degree heat, caught in a sand storm. It’s not exactly a picture postcard scenario, but FIVE is a luxurious shelter from the storm, and the party is clearly going on regardless. Crowds line the long, glassy infinity pool, stretching 60 metres from “The Cube” (lobby) to the Praia, the chilled out Portuguese beach club and bar.

It’s a Saturday and as some guests leisurely to-and-fro from lunch at BLVD On One, the real revelry is taking place at The Penthouse, with the five-hour Candypants “ladies’ day” still a huge hit despite the orange haze filling the sky. This is FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai – and there’s always something to celebrate. But for me, it’s all about bunkering down and enjoying the suite life, so I ascend directly to the 12th floor to one of the capacious One Bedroom Suites, with views peering out over the beachfront and back toward Dubai Marina. Ranging up to 129sqm, the suite opens up into a hallway with a guest bathroom, leading to a dining room-lounge combo.

There’s ample space to host dinner and/or a roundtable meeting for six or more, handily close to a large minibar and shelving unit, stocked with a range of beverages and goodies. It’s the bar that really evokes a vintage Art Deco vibe, also adding a splash of teal, complementing the blue-ish-hued couch set up in the lounge area, facing the huge flat screen TV. It’s cosy but by no means cramped, with room to manoeuvre through to the bedroom, of equal size to the lounge element and dominated by an immensely plush bed, ready to engulf you for a deep slumber – unless you prefer to nap on the balcony on the twin set of sun loungers, providing a sun trap with a decent level of privacy.

Some hotels offer a walk-in closet but here you have a walk-through. The dressing area is essentially a room by itself, lined with ample storage, mirrors and all the essentials – including the all-important white robes – all nicely tucked away within stylish wooden units, imbued with a gold trim, of course. Beyond the dressing area, the key features in the bathroom are the bulbous soaking tub, rain shower and the his-and-hers sink duo, to ensure you’ll be ready for breakfast or dinner with speed and efficiency, with a little help from the handy set of Salvatore Ferragamo amenities. Once you’re suited and booted, the real problem is… will you actually want to leave the suite?