Dubai's HIGHEST Condo: ALL BILLS PAID! 08 City View Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the stratosphere with a review of Dubai's HIGHEST Condo: ALL BILLS PAID! 08 City View Awaits! And let me tell you, after this experience? I'm pretty sure I left a piece of my heart (and maybe a tiny bit of my wallet) up there.
The Setup: Expectations vs. Reality (Prepare to be surprised!)
So, the email arrives. "Dubai's highest condo… all bills paid… 08 City View, you say? "My inner skeptic, usually a grizzled old sea dog, starts yapping about inflated prices and Instagrammable facades. But the allure of "highest" and "ALL BILLS PAID"… irresistible! And the city view? Pfft, I've seen city views. Until this.
Location, Location, Elevated Sensation
Okay, I won't beat around the towering Burj Khalifa bush. Accessibility? Dubai is surprisingly good, and this place is no exception. While I didn't need a wheelchair, I did see plenty of facilities for disabled guests. The on-site stuff, the restaurants, are a major win. Think world-class dining, but with the added bonus of not having to leave the building. Score! I'm talking about the accessibility of everything around it, not just the facilities, even though the elevator is faster than my morning espresso.
(Accessibility)
- On-site accessibility: Restaurants and lounges within the condo are majorly accessible
- Wheelchair access: Yes, from the moment you step out of your own, private elevator!
- Getting around: Airport transfer, car park (free of charge), car park (on-site), car power charging station, Taxi service, and Valet parking - all make getting around the area painless.
Internet – They Give You That Free! And the Speed of Light
Internet? Oh yes, they have it. And not just a weak, sputtering Wi-Fi like you find in some places. This is warp speed internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Check. Internet access – LAN? Double-check. It’s a total win. I even did some work from the soaring heights (don’t judge, deadlines are real!). And yes, I was able to stream Netflix without buffering while simultaneously video-chatting with my mom. The LAN connection was perfect for connecting my gaming rig. You know, for research purposes.
(Internet)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Believe it!
- Internet: Absolutely, full access
- Internet [LAN]: YES!
- Internet services: Top-notch, the best!
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Everywhere you go!
Things to Do and Places to Relax - More Than My Attention Span Could Handle!
Okay, this is where it gets ridiculous. Pool with a view: check. Gym/fitness center: check. Spa? Oh, the spa. I'm not a spa guy, typically, but even I succumbed to the siren song of the sauna, steam room, and massage. And the outdoor pool? Let's just say I spent a solid afternoon floating, sipping something-that-was-definitely-not-water, and staring at the world from above. It felt like I was swimming in the sky.
(Ways to relax)
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The holy grail of relaxation!
Cleanliness and Safety – They're Practically Obsessed (in the best way!)
I'm a bit of a germaphobe (yes, I admit it), so this part made me jump for joy. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, individually-wrapped food options – it's like they anticipated every paranoid thought I had. And the rooms? Sanitized between stays, with room sanitization opt-out available (if you're into that sort of thing). I felt safer than I do in my own apartment!
(Cleanliness and safety)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Yes!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: They're on it!
- Individually-wrapped food options: Perfect for the germaphobes!
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: No problem, it’s vast!
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: The real deal.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: For those who dare!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Always!
- Safe dining setup: A must
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Beyond expectation
- Shared stationery removed: Less clutter!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Competent and attentive!
- Sterilizing equipment: Everywhere.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Prepare to Unbutton Your Trousers
The food. Oh, the food. I’m not even going to try to list everything. Let's just say the options are vast. Multiple restaurants, a coffee shop, a snack bar, and room service 24/7. I'm a sucker for a good breakfast buffet, and this one was epic. But, and it's a big but, the view. Eating a perfectly cooked omelet while gazing at the city unfolding beneath you? Pure. Bliss. And happy hour? Let's just say it might have extended past the allocated hour… several times. I will not be apologizing.
(Dining, drinking, and snacking)
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: All the eating you can handle.
Services and Conveniences – They Thought of EVERYTHING!
Concierge, daily housekeeping, dry cleaning, laundry service… it's like having a personal army of helpful elves at your beck and call. I even saw a convenience store for late-night snack emergencies. Luggage storage, a safe deposit box… just imagine the possibilities! And contactless check-in/out? A godsend. In short, they make your life easy.
(Services and conveniences)
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Every convenience imaginable.
For the Kids – Even My Imaginary Children Would Be Thrilled!
I don't have kids. But if I did, I'd be ecstatic. Babysitting service, family/child friendly… It seems like they thought of everything to keep the little ones happy (and by extension, the parents!).
(For the kids)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Yep!
Access, Security, and Safety – Fortress-Like, in the Best Way
The security is tight – 24-hour front desk, CCTV everywhere, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers. I felt completely safe.
(Access, Security, and Safety)
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms: Safe and sound.
Rooms – The Details That Make the Difference
So, the rooms themselves. Forget "hotel room." This is a condo. Massive. Luxurious. Every detail is considered. Amazing views from a high floor, air conditioning, the works. And the bed? Heavenly. I think I slept for about 12 hours the first night. I only wish they had a bathroom phone to call room service.
(Available in all rooms)
- **Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale,
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. We're venturing into the swirling, shimmering vortex that is a week in my City View Condo, high floor, all bills included, in the glorious, slightly-too-shiny city of Dubai. This ain't your cookie-cutter itinerary; this is my Dubai experience, warts and all. Prepare for a rollercoaster.
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude Adjustment, and the Existential Crisis of the Balcony View
- 14:00: Touchdown at DXB. The sheer scale of this airport always blows my mind. It's like a shopping mall that accidentally became an international hub. Smells faintly of Duty-Free perfume and ambition.
- 15:30: Taxi to the condo. The driver was a chatty Pakistani bloke who kept pointing out things: "See that building, very tall! Very expensive!" and "Welcome to Dubai, madam! Enjoy!" I always feel a bit of a fraud when visiting this city as I have never been to any other country but UAE.
- 16:00: Check-in at the City View Condo. Okay, the view. The GODDAMN view. I mean, I'm on the 8th floor so it's not Burj Khalifa-level (thank god, because I'm terrified of heights), but the glittering cityscape is still… intense. Like, a perfectly Instagrammable postcard come to life. I'm starting to feel inadequate. Should I have worn trendier clothes? Did I bring enough filters?
- 16:30: Unpack. Or, um, attempt to unpack. After a flight, I get a serious case of travel whiplash. My brain feels like scrambled eggs. I'm 10 minutes in, and everything is still in a crumpled heap. Finding my passport and emergency chocolate stash are the only things that matter.
- 17:00 - 19:00: Balcony Debrief. Sipping lukewarm coffee, staring at the skyscrapers. The sun turns the glass and steel into a blinding, beautiful inferno. This is when the existential dread hits. Am I just another tourist, fleetingly impressed by the shiny, expensive things? Am I actually doing anything meaningful with my life? Then I remember I'm on holiday and can't be bothered.
- 19:30: Dinner at the condo: some pre-made hummus, pita bread, and an overpriced bottle of water from the convenience store downstairs. I am already regretting not getting groceries.
- 20:30: Bed. Jet lag is kicking in. Tomorrow's the real test.
Day 2: Desert Dreams (and Sand in Everything)
- 08:00: Wake up – or rather, get rudely jolted awake by the sun blasting through the windows. Dubai is nothing if not enthusiastic about mornings.
- 09:00: Breakfast. I manage to locate a rogue banana and a half-eaten packet of biscuits. I feel healthy, even if the banana is bruised.
- 10:00: Head out for the desert safari, booked through a dodgy online website (I’m already preparing for disappointment). The driver picks me up in a Land Cruiser that looks like its seen better days, the AC doesn't know how to work and the driver is playing extremely repetitive Arabic music.
- 11:00: Desert. The sheer orange of it. The dunes stretch on forever, like a canvas painted by an artist obsessed with fire. The driver speeds over the dunes. I scream a lot. It's exhilaration mixed with the panicked feeling of losing your stomach.
- 12:30: Dune bashing over. We arrive at a desert camp. It's touristy, but kind of charming. Camel ride (surprisingly comfortable, though the stench is… memorable).
- 13:30 - 15:00: Lunch at the camp. Mediocre buffet food, belly dancers, and henna tattoos. It's all a bit cheesy, but the experience is oddly therapeutic. I try to channel my inner Bedouin princess. Fail.
- 16:00: Back to the condo. Shower. Get rid of the sand that now seems to be everywhere. I'm finding grains in my hair, in my socks, in my eyeballs.
- 18:00: Explore the malls. This is where things get interesting. I walk into a clothing store and, within five minutes, I’ve been offered 4 complimentary cup of Arabic Coffee and I am immediately surrounded by a horde of over-eager sales assistants. It's overwhelming, chaotic, and somehow, utterly captivating.
- 20:00: Back to the condo, the smell of expensive perfumes clinging to my clothes. I am still slightly dazed from the mall experience. More hummus and a Netflix binge (don't judge my lifestyle, it's my holiday)
Day 3: Dubai Creek and the Souls of Old.
- 09:00: Wake up late. That desert air and the mall madness took its toll.
- 10:00: Breakfast at a local cafe - I decide to immerse myself in the culture and order a traditional Arabic breakfast.
- 11:00: Head to The Creek. Trading used to be a huge part of the Dubai culture so I am excited to learn more about that part of history.
- 12:00: Hop on a small boat and sail through the waters where traders used to sail years ago.
- 13:00: Explore the old souk, where I am constantly being asked to purchase something. I am being harassed by a swarm of sales people again.
- 16:00: I am exhausted from all the walking and talking I’ve decided to head back to the apartment.
Day 4: Aqua-licious Adventures… and Panic.
- 09:00: Swim. The pool at the condo is glorious. It's like something out of a glossy travel magazine. I spend an hour just floating and pretending I'm a mermaid.
- 10:00: I decide to head to Atlantis water park. I should have remembered I hate thrill rides.
- 11:00: Attempt the Leap of Faith. The anticipation is excruciating. The climb up the tower feels like an eternity. The drop… is terrifying and exhilarating. I scream. I laugh. I almost pee myself. Good times.
- 13:00: Lunch at a food stand at the park. My stomach is still doing somersaults from the rides.
- 14:00: More water slides! I find a calmer, more gentle ride.
- 16:00: Back to the condo, feeling slightly sunburnt and bruised, but utterly invigorated.
Day 5: Lost in Translation and the Quest for the Perfect Shawarma
- 09:00: Breakfast. I finally brave the kitchen and attempt to make toast. Success! (Well, mostly. A little burnt around the edges.)
- 10:00: Attempt to navigate the metro. I get utterly confused. I misread the map, end up on the wrong train, and end up in a small market.
- 12:00: Lunch. The quest for the perfect shawarma begins. I have 2 kebabs.
- 14:00: Visit a local museum. I am learning a lot about the history!
- 16:00: The afternoon is spent wandering, soaking up the sights, and getting gloriously, wonderfully lost in the city.
Day 6: Burj Khalifa and the Real Deal Breakers.
- 09:00: Wake up feeling surprisingly rested. Maybe that desert air cured me, or maybe it's the sheer joy of being on vacation.
- 10:00: Head to the Burj Khalifa. The line to get in is long, but not as bad as I'd feared.
- 11:00: The view. Oh. My. God. It's a panorama of shimmering grandeur. The city unfolds beneath me, reminding me how ridiculously big Dubai is. The world feels small, and yet, full of possibilities.
- 13:00: Lunch at a cafe with a view- which is just as expensive as you'd expect (though the food. is actually passable).
- 14:00: Explore the Dubai Mall. It's a shopping centre on steroids.
- 16:00: Back to the condo. Pack. Sigh.
Day 7: Departure and a Promise to Return (Eventually)
- 08:00: Wake up to a gray sky (weird).
- 09:00: Final condo breakfast. Scrape together the last of the hummus. Contemplate life choices, the meaning of travel, and how fast this week went.
- 10:00: Last-minute souvenir shopping. I buy a magnet and a small camel statue, both of which I'll probably lose by next month.
- 12:00: Taxi to the airport. The driver is silent
Dubai's Highest Condo: 08 City View – All Bills Paid! (Or is it? I'm still trying to figure this out...)
Okay, seriously… "All Bills Paid?" What's the catch? Is it actually *all* bills? 'Cause my last "all-inclusive" vacation involved extra charges for breathing.
Alright, let's be brutally honest. The phrase "All Bills Paid" in Dubai is… well, it's ambitious. From what I gather, it *mostly* means it. Think electricity, water, AC (a HUGE deal!), and maybe even internet. But, and this is a big but, delve into the fine print! I remember when I went to see the place. The sales guy, bless his heart, looked like he'd just woken up after a particularly luxurious nap. He kept saying "Yes, all. Absolutely, all." But then he mumbled something about *potential* government fees or, you know, "extraordinary usage."
My advice? Get EVERYTHING in writing. Every single teeny-tiny detail. And even then, brace yourself. Because Dubai, honey, is a city of pleasant surprises…and occasional, slightly less pleasant, extra bills. Don't be afraid to be *that* person and ask a million questions!
Height. It's in the listing. How scary is it? I'm not exactly besties with heights.
Okay, *that* is the million-dollar question. I suffer from mild vertigo, y'know, the kind that makes the escalator at the mall feel like a roller coaster. So, when I saw that view… let me just say, my stomach did a little dance. A nervous, "oh-my-god-I'm-gonna-fall-now" kind of dance.
The view, though? Stunning. Utterly breathtaking. You can see the whole dang city. I even spotted the Burj Khalifa! But the mental gymnastics of knowing you’re that high up took a while to get used to. For the faint of heart (like myself), I suggest baby steps. Start with short visits, maybe a glass of something calming (definitely not a double espresso!), and gradually acclimatize. The view is worth it, even if your palms are constantly clammy.
What's the '08' mean? Is it the 8th floor? Or something cooler? Like, the year it was built?
Believe me, I asked! "08 City View"… well, apparently, it's a naming convention. A fancy name, I think. They didn't build the building in 2008! The sales guy, again, looked like I'd asked him to perform brain surgery. He stammered something about "the…aesthetic" and "branding." Truthfully, I think the '08' is just designed to make it sound super exclusive. It's probably just the *unit number*. It's probably somewhere to do with the height of the apartment. The best part is it's not clear. I mean, it's a good marketing tool, and a confusing one!
The "City View" part… is it actually a good view, or is it, like, a view of the laundry room of the building next door?
Okay, the City View is *not* a laundry room. I can confirm. I got the impression it looks out over a few things. The whole *point* of living in a skyscraper is the view, right? I mean, they're not going to stick you looking at an air conditioning unit.
When I went, and this may be the single most important thing to know, they were going to show me a sample unit. They took me right to the edge of the building so I could see what I was missing! It was amazing!
Now, I've seen pictures where the view is stunning. I mean, postcard-worthy stuff. And, thankfully, it seems like you'll be able to see the entire city, and the surrounding landscape, and if you're lucky, you might even see the sun setting over the desert!
What about the amenities? Pool? Gym? Do they have a robot butler, or am I dreaming?
Amenities are crucial! I need a good pool. As far as I know, the pool is there. There are rumours of a gym, but I was in such a rush to get out of there because it was so expensive. Yes, there might be a robot butler. Okay, probably not.
But seriously, they better have a decent pool, a gym, and maybe a spa. I need to be able to pretend I can afford to live somewhere luxurious.
Location, location, location! Is it actually convenient, or am I going to spend all my time stuck in Dubai traffic?
Dubai traffic, people. It's a real beast. The details of the location are important. Is a metro close, or do I need to get a car?
I really need to know if I'm going to be spending half my life in the car, surrounded by angry drivers. If you like driving, you're golden. If not, then you'll need to be closer to public transport.
Alright, the big one… How insanely expensive is it? Be honest. Like, "sell-a-kidney" expensive?
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room. Dubai real estate? It's not for the faint of heart. I'm pretty sure it's expensive!
"Sell-a-kidney" level? Maybe not *that* drastic. (Although, I'm not judging anyone! Each to their own!) But be prepared for it to sound like a lot. You're paying for the height, the view, the "luxury lifestyle." Factor in all the extra fees, the initial deposit, and the fact that you're in Dubai... you're going to need a good job. Or a very generous benefactor.
My advice? Do your research, speak to a financial advisor, and maybe, just maybe, start saving now. Or, you know, start selling a kidney. No judgment.
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