Oceana

I have lived at Oceana for over 4 years now, we were some of the first people to move in, back then it was heaven on earth, lovely mix of neighbors, no parking issues, no lack of sunbeds, no extra charges for anything they can think of, it was just perfect! However over the years there have been more and more rules introduced, the prices have increased so much plus they have introduced so many extra charges, like paying to keep your kayak on the beach, plus the residences that lived there have really changed. Nothing beats the facilities and I will be sad to move when we do but I feel Oceana has had it's good days and it will just get worse and worse. It also doesn't help that there are no paths outside and there are no shops on our side of the palm so you have to drive to the other side. It would be nice if they finished the front and made it more attractive. One other amazing thing is West 14th, we love it there and will keep coming back for as long as we live in Dubai.

Together with its sister building, Tiara Residences, Oceana was perhaps once one of the most desirable places to live in Dubai. Certainly the high rents still suggest that the owners still believe this too. Sadly, time has done this modern V-shaped development no favors as the communal areas of the buildings are looking very tired and residents regularly complain of exploding waters tanks and recurring bad smells due to shoddy plumbing. There is also an on-going feud between the owners/tenants and the management company as the pool, lazy river, beach and facilities are used every day by holiday makers staying at Movenpick hotels in Dubai. Oceana is basically Movenpick's beach club and every day the holiday makers are bused in to descend on the sun beds and avail of the poolside bar and the West 14th restaurant's snacks. Unfortunately this means the whole atmosphere of Oceana feels more akin to a hotel resort that's run strictly 'for profit' rather than a true luxury residential community.