As it was my first trip to Dubai, I had so much to look forward. The city had been on my bucket list for so long; was it finally becoming a reality? I had to pinch myself to fully acknowledge my excitement. Aside from a long-haul trip (13 hours straight, to be exact) to Dubai International Airport, the temperature was also something else to look forward. I was ready to take it all in until the humidity hit me as soon as I walked out of the plane into the airport. It was a shame I got in so late, as it would have been a Kodak moment to take a few pics from above before landing; but beggers can’t be choosers, right? We headed to our hotel, Manzil Downtown Dubai, the newly renovated sister property to Address and Burj Khalifa with breathtaking views from my room. What a rush to open those curtains and see the grandeur of such incredible architecture before your eyes. As always, I knew everything happens for a reason, and this time was no different. I was truly one lucky gal! I was ecstatic to be here even if it was for work, and I was going to enjoy every bit of it. A few days go by running from meeting to meeting until our reservation time at At.Mosphere on the 122^nd floor of Burj Khalifa. Be prepared to have your ears pop and motion sickness slightly kick in, but I was determined it wouldn’t hold me back. Although the entrance was quick tricky to figure out, almost like a maze, the end result was well worth the hassle. On the very top of the world, lights blinding you below, we got the best seat in the house, right by the window above the world-famous fountains. I tried to take some pictures clear enough to share. We decided to go with the signature selection with some wine of our preference. Dinner started with some wonderful oysters and caviar then moved on to foie gras pie, beef Wellington, chocolate dessert and some complimentary dishes. Our chef even made a stop at our table to make sure everything was to our liking. It was the epitome of 5-star service. If it weren’t for my exhaustion from the day and jet lag, I could stay past our actual 1 a.m. departure to experience a few more drinks from their signature menu. Until next time, stay grand, Burj Khalifa! — Banu Yilmaz, advertising director