Just did a layover outbound and then returned for an overnight stay in AUH at Premier Inn.

Not much reason to stay at Premier Inn any more. It's a 10-15 minute ride away, and the shuttle leaves every hour which means you're likely to take a taxi (30-40 dirhams) to get there if your arrival doesn't match the shuttle time. In the morning the shuttle bus to go back to the airport was full and a lot of people were left behind, presumably having to take a taxi. We made the shuttle but it was old and crowded, with fold-down seats in the aisle, lots of people coughing. At that point you should just spend a few more minutes in the taxi to get to a better hotel.

The airport itself is very nice aesthetically but be ready to walk long distances for seemingly no reason. No lines or crowding for immigration, security, or Etihad business class lounge. Spa is still closed.

Immigration biometrics database is impressive. Agent somehow saw that I had entered previously on a different country's passport...