Top 13 hotels for conferences and event delegates

InterContinental Dubai Festival City is a 10-minute taxi ride from Dubai International Airport and a 15-minute journey to Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and the city’s business districts.

Its 508 rooms designed over 36 floors include 121 elegant suites with panoramic views of Dubai Creek and the city skyline.

Guests can enjoy fine dining at a number of award-winning restaurants within the hotel, or at Dubai Festival City (DFC) which is directly accessible from the hotel. DFC mall has more than 500 retail stores, as well as cinemas and other entertainment venues.

Events facilities at the hotel include a 4,250m2 events centre, with a capacity of 1,300, that encompasses 19 event spaces with flexible set-ups.

Other hotels in the area include the InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City, the Crowne Plaza Festival City and Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City.

JW Marriott Marquis is located in the heart of Dubai’s stylish Downtown area, in close proximity to main business districts such as Business Bay, Dubai International Financial Centre and Sheikh Zayed Road.

It is a 10-minute taxi ride to Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and around 15-20 minutes to Dubai International Airport, with The Dubai Mall (the world’s largest), Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest) and Dubai Opera are all just minutes away. One of the world’s tallest hotels, its 1,608 rooms offer a range of different size options and boast impressive views of Dubai’s cityscape. 

The 10 different restaurants and lounges include Japanese, Italian, Indian and Thai cuisine. The hotel also has almost 80,000sq ft of adaptable event space, with 32 events rooms and the same number of breakout areas. The largest event space is 143m2.

Just a 10-minute drive from Dubai International Airport, Grand Hyatt is a popular choice for business visitors. It is also around 15 minutes from Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, other main business districts and Dubai’s Downtown area.

Its 682 luxurious rooms, including 38 suites, range from 39 to 264m2, with views of the city and the historic Dubai Creek.  International restaurants offer a choice of Arabic, Singaporean, Japanese, Italian and a steakhouse.

In the same Al Habtoor City area, the 234-room Habtoor Palace Dubai also has 52 opulent suites, as well as restaurants and lounges including an American steakhouse, French kitchen and bar, and chic patio located in the hotel’s central courtyard.

For events, the 800m2 Habtoor Ballroom can host up to 700 guests, with a large stage, 10-metre high ceiling, state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities, an adjoining outdoor terrace and majlis-style seating area.

The Gardens Boardroom is purpose-built and designed for board meetings. Accommodating up to 12 delegates. It is filled with natural light, fitted with advanced audiovisual equipment and wireless connectivity, and designed for privacy and comfort. There are also al-fresco spaces that can be used for outdoor events.

Located next door to Burj Al Arab and just minutes’ walk away from Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel has recently had a full refurbishment. It has 599 renovated ocean-view rooms and suites, and 19 traditional Arabian styled beachside villas.

Indoor meeting spaces include a stand-alone conference centre ideal for hosting various kinds of social or corporate events from private gatherings to medium-sized exhibitions and conferences, the tiered Meyana Auditorium with a seating capacity of up to 414 guests, and its eight Marasi meeting rooms with a seating capacity of up to 150 guests which can be combined to suit individual event requirements.

Premium outdoor spaces include the 3,800m2 Events Arena catering for up to 2,500 guests for a stand-up cocktail reception, or 1,500 for a seated dinner, the 400m2 Beachcomber Garden accommodating more intimate meals or drink receptions for up to 120 people, and the beautifully landscaped Sunset Garden accommodating up to 150 guests.

The 51-storey Conrad Dubai is conveniently located on Sheikh Zayed Road – one of Dubai’s main business districts, so there are plenty of restaurants and cafés to walk out to.

It is also just minutes’ walk away from Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (via World Trade Centre metro footbridge) and Downtown Dubai. Dubai International Airport is a 15-minute drive away.

Its 555 rooms and suites range from deluxe and king deluxe to executive suites, offering breathtaking city views and in some cases sea views.  Dining choices include a Sicilian restaurant and a lounge serving healthy meal options.

Events facilities include 11 meeting rooms, three boardrooms, Dubai’s ‘largest pre-function area’ and two ballrooms accommodating 1,100 and 725 people respectively.

Le Méridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre is located next to Dubai International Airport Terminal 1. Its 546 rooms - inclusive of 14 suites - are a 15-minute taxi journey to Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, and it is 10 minutes to Dubai Festival City mall with more than 500 retail outlets and a huge choice of restaurants, cafés, cinemas and entertainment venues.

International dining choices include Spanish, Mexican, Indian, Lebanese, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and an Irish gastropub.

For meetings and events there are 24 event and breakout rooms of different sizes and configurations – all with audio-visual facilities and on-site technical assistance, and a ballroom that can be divided into three separate venues.

Located in the Al Garhoud area, Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan is ideally positioned just five minutes taxi ride from Dubai International Airport, around 15 minutes from Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and areas such as Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai International Financial Centre.

The hotel’s 279 rooms range from classic rooms to executive suites, with either a city or pool view. Restaurant choices include a grill lounge, Japanese teppanyaki, international cuisine and a snack bar.

A conference venue offers 3,500 square metres of flexible meeting and event spaces for 15 to 1,500 people, suitable for hosting exhibitions, business events, conferences, meetings and seminars.

The 1,536m Grand Rashidiya Ballroom is divisible into three sections, has an adjoining 972m2 pre-function area, private entrance and valet parking. Other spaces include a spacious VIP majlis and 11 syndicate rooms. Roda Al Bustan can also cater for off-site events.

Sofitel Wafi is connected to the retail and leisure complex Wafi Mall and Khan Murjan Souk, and a short walk to Dubai Healthcare City metro station. It is a 10-minute taxi ride from Dubai International Airport, and business districts such as Dubai International Financial Centre and Downtown Dubai.

Its 595 rooms include 102 suites and 97 furnished serviced apartments offering your delegates a ‘home-from-home’. Dining choices include a specialty Asian restaurant, gastro pub, French brasserie, and pool bar offering outstanding views of Dubai.

Meetings and events venues include a state-of-the-art ballroom with a spacious pre-function area, 10 flexible indoor venues and the poolside area which is ideal for cocktail parties. The hotel’s meetings planners and concierge are on hand to provide their full expert support.