REVIEW: A design-led stay on Dubai’s coastline
Perched elegantly on the edge of Jumeirah Beach Residences, FIVE LUXE isn’t just another luxury resort. It’s a beautifully designed destination where the architecture is as compelling as the view.
The architecture
In a city known for architectural bravado, FIVE LUXE doesn’t compete. It complements. The design is sleek and thoughtfully structured. Divided into east and west wings, the layout creates a natural rhythm to the guest experience, balancing openness with privacy. Sleek lines and airy volumes are softened by gentle curves, neutral materials and coastal tones. The palette leans toward soft browns and sandy tones, evoking the beach just steps away. The lobby entrance gives a "wow" factor, it's tactile and sculptural, layered with texture but never busy. Mood lighting throughout the hotel enhances this atmosphere of calm and elegance, shifting subtly from golden hour to twilight.
Despite its serene aesthetic, there’s an ambitious engine driving this property. FIVE LUXE holds the highest LEED Platinum certification of any five-star hotel globally, a quiet triumph of sustainable innovation. Solar panels, water conservation systems, and smart energy design operate behind the scenes, invisible to the eye but deeply integrated into the architecture. Even SENSORIA, the adjacent residential tower, shimmers with solar-active materials that respond to the light.
The setting
As soon as we checked in, we realised something from nearly every corner of the hotel, our gaze was drawn outward. To the front, the Arabian Gulf stretches endlessly. Ain Dubai rises to your left. Palm Jumeirah drifts across the horizon, and the sleek towers of Bluewater Island sit quietly along the shoreline.
What amazed me the most was how the line between inside and out dissolves, inviting sea breeze and sunshine deep into the building. It felt like staying in two different resorts at once. The stillness and peacefulness in the rooms was undeniable. We found ourselves simply gazing out across the Arabian Sea, watching the sky and water shift in colour and mood.
The rooms
Our room was on the 8th floor, and if there are two things I love about a hotel room, it’s the view and the lighting. FIVE LUXE delivers both. The ever-changing light becomes part of the interior experience, thanks to expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the room with natural daylight.
Each room is a masterclass in design restraint. Natural light, clean lines, and a calm, earthy palette create a space that feels both luxurious and lived in. There’s a balance of simplicity and indulgence, mood lighting for slow evenings in, soft brown tones for warmth, and materials that feel genuinely good to the touch.
But it’s the balconies that truly elevate the experience. Large, liveable, and thoughtfully furnished with lounge chairs, they’re perfect for slow mornings, sunset dinners, or late-night drinks with friends. With Dubai’s most spectacular skyline as your backdrop, the stay becomes something more. It becomes a moment you want to hold onto.
The restaurants and entertainment
The restaurants at FIVE LUXE are more than just beautifully designed spaces, they’re culinary destinations that draw locals and international guests alike. From fine dining to playful cocktails, each venue has its own aesthetic identity and creative direction.
Ronin won Opening of the Year and recommended in the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2025, and after our dining experience, we could see why. Its interiors are dramatic, deep wood and hundreds of red lanterns set the mood for a Japanese dining experience that’s bold, immersive, and elevated. Every dish carries the confidence and precision of its Michelin distinction.
Tête-à-Tête feels like a complete shift in energy - light, airy, and inspired by the French Riviera. Picture white linens, soft sea breezes, and sunlit plates shared over slow, easy conversations. It's all charm and coastal elegance.
Paradiso Dubai leans into surrealist glam. Part cocktail bar, part design dreamscape, it’s a place where every corner begs for a photograph and every drink feels like a performance. With its global recognition among the world’s best bars, the experience here is as artful as it is delicious.
For something more relaxed, Goose Island Tap House brings comfort and character in equal measure. With warm wood tones, laid-back energy, and unfussy design, it’s a perfect go-to after a beach day or when you're winding down the evening.
And last but not least, there is the Ibiza-inspired pool and private beach club experience, Playa Pacha at FIVE LUXE. The cheerful themed design spreads a fun and trendy vibe throughout the space, making it the perfect spot to dance to chart-topping beats from international DJs curated by the pioneers of Ibiza’s dance and cultural revolution. Signature events like Pacha ICONS bring legendary DJs from around the world, while weekly parties such as Wet Cherry Wednesdays keep the energy alive long into the night.
Visit: luxejbr.fivehotelsandresorts.com
Hayley is passionate about everything 90s, from art and fashion to music. Her love for glossy, artful coffee table books started early during her days in book publishing and has only grown since. She collects luxury magazines from around the world, enjoys exploring creative workshops around the city, and always chases dinners with a view, preferably by the beach.
