The new Dubai hotel with rooftop swimming pool and outdoor sauna – and it won’t break the bank

Given its reputation for glitz, sunshine and over-the-top glamour, it’s no surprise that chic Dubai is often dubbed the ‘City of Gold’.

Known worldwide for its £12bn luxury shopping centres, epic skyscrapers and man-made palm islands, this shining gem of a city in the middle of the desert is THE place for a luxury holiday, but getting there won’t cost you a fortune.

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It’s an easy seven-hour flight from the UK, which means there’s no jet lag on arrival and you’re in the blistering heat.

Even in the coolest month (December) dazzling Dubai averages 21°C and when I visited in October the temperature was well over 30°C.

Sunglasses on, what better way to enjoy the glorious heat than with cocktails by the rooftop pool.

I stayed at 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central, one of the latest openings, and its traditional and modern flair was the perfect combination of authenticity and allure.

Located right next to the International Financial Center, with huge glass windows everywhere and great views of the impressive Museum of the Future, the hotel exuded a friendly and relaxed, but bohemian vibe that it describes as “urban nomadism”.

I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I can tell you that both Chanel and Converse would fit in equally well here.

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My Bedouin-themed room was beautiful, with mosaic tiling, an incredible view and an epic downpour (you probably don’t see real rain in Dubai).

Others have themes ranging from glamping with portable speakers to Artist Village suites with quirky design features like hammocks.

The stunning Hakawati Suite even has a sheikh-sized triple room should you ever need one. . .

There are also five restaurants, a library, a gorgeous luxury spa, and even the city’s first outdoor mixed-sex sauna (a pretty big deal here in a city that’s still Arabic, despite its more laid-back and visitor-friendly vibe).

It would have been easy to spend the entire vacation commuting between the hotel, the famous Dubai Mall, five minutes away, and the nearby golden sands of La Mer.

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But I really wanted to see more of Dubai from as many angles as possible.

After a relaxing afternoon getting a tan and enjoying the party atmosphere at Drift Beach Club (driftbeachdubai.com) – think jewels, bikinis and table service at the infinity pool – I’m about to set off on a cruise along the shores of the Arabian Gulf, but with a twist, it’s on at high speed.

The Hero Sea Cruise was a hair-raising 50km sightseeing sprint that took in must-see sights like the Atlantis resort, the Palm Jumeirah man-made island and the new Ain Dubai Ferris wheel.

Pretty wet but super exhilarating, this jet ski-paced boat ride was fun and a really interesting way to experience the city.

However, be prepared for your hair to get wet.

Be a daredevil

Staying (well, almost) on land, my next must-see was a look at another of Dubai’s newest and most dizzying attractions, the Sky Views Observatory rim walk (skywalkdubai.com), at the top of the 52nd floor of the Address Sky View Hotel.

If you’re a daredevil who likes the hustle and bustle in the clouds, then this is for you.

Those with nerves of steel don a Challenge Anneka-style jumpsuit and tie themselves to a narrow ledge outside for a breathtaking walk that offers stunning views of downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa skyscraper.

If you’re not afraid of heights then avoid it as it certainly looks like an I’m a celebrity challenge.

However, you won’t miss it as the view from the safe inside is quite good through the windows.

Of course, you can’t come to Dubai without experiencing the shopping spree or the famous all-day brunch.

I went to the fabulous all inclusive hotel Ce La Vi (celavi.com), serving a mixed menu of black truffle risotto, burrata salad and grilled Spanish octopus.

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But on my final day, I wanted to get a taste of the more authentic side of Dubai, so I decided to escape the towering buildings and enjoy a final dinner at Sonara Camp in the desert.

Dinner at sunset—among the sand dunes of a nature reserve, surrounded by gazelles, yet only a 40-minute drive from my hotel—felt like I’d stepped into another world, bathed in golden light and the incredible French cuisine meets Middle Eastern cuisine.

The icing on the cake was a camel ride through the golden landscape as the sun set behind the sandy horizon – something I will remember forever.