The 5 Best Conference Centres in Dubai
Looking for the best conference centres in Dubai can be time-consuming with so many options available. Their range of luxurious spaces within beautiful surroundings makes the country a popular spot for any regional or international event.
So whether you are looking for a hotel or a separate event space, here are the best conference centres in Dubai.
How Much Do Conference Centres Cost in Dubai
The cost of renting a conference centre in Dubai depends on a few factors. For example, you can rent individual meeting rooms for a whole day or you can choose to pay on an hourly basis.
Renting a conference room in Dubai can cost anywhere between AED 150 to AED 2,000 per hour. It all depends on the location.
Do note that all estimated fees are for a single room only. For booking entire sections or floors, it is always best to apply via the conference centre’s website.
Finding the Best Conference Centres in Dubai
When it comes to looking at the best conference spaces, we focused on the following factors:
1. Le Méridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre
| ROOMS | Grand BallroomFalcon Ballroom + FoyerWasl Ballroom & Foyer (1,2,3)Wasl Ballroom & Foyer (4,5,6)Palm/Oasis Meeting RoomGarden Room |
| WEBSITE | https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dxbmd-le-meridien-dubai-hotel-and-conference-centre/overview/ |
| ADDRESS | Airport Road, PO Box 10001, Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: +971 4511 7775 |
| RATING | |
| EVENT SPACE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| EQUIPMENT | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| FLEXIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Le Méridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre presents itself as a luxurious spot for rest and relaxation. But did you know that it also boasts an impressive conference centre?
Indeed, the hotel has served as a host for many regional and international events such as the Marketing and Advertising Conference (MADcon) in 2019.
The venue boasts a huge space for events and conferences, with 24 event rooms as well as the latest audiovisual technology and equipment. The Grand Ballroom is able to host 1,750 invitees, making it a perfect place to communicate your plans and your vision to a wider audience.
On the other hand, their Palm/Oasis Meeting room allows you to hold your event in a more intimate setting that holds up to 12 people. This room, in our opinion, is ideal for business meetings or small get-togethers with friends or family.
We like this hotel because it is only .5KM away from the Dubai International Airport, making it very convenient for visitors to immediately stop by the venue upon arrival. It also offers a private car service on the property, helping with accessibility.
Another thing that caught our attention is that the centre offers a very versatile event space that can be adjusted according to the organizers’ needs. The tasteful design and use of natural light also gives the space a comfortable ambience, making it a safe choice for both corporate events and weddings.
Pros
- Close to the airport
- Huge event space
- Has multiple event rooms
Cons
- Some maintenance is needed in some rooms
- Slight waiting time at the reception
Customer Reviews:
”Convenience in every aspect”
“I always prefer to stay in Le Méridien next to the DXB airport. Convenience in every aspect. Royal club is up to the best and the staff is doing a great job. Mangala has done a great job at the Royal club lounge. Keep up the good work. I will always be back.” – Rajitha
“Great place and really close to the airport”
‘Great place and really close to the airport. It is quite a walk to the spa which is behind the hotel. There are many restaurants on site, but by 2:30-3pm, they were all closed, mostly due to Ramadan. Overall, a great hotel and really comfortable rooms.” – Apurva Nataraj
2. Dubai World Trade Centre
| RATING | |
| EVENT SPACE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| EQUIPMENT | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| FLEXIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Boasting over 3 million visitors annually, the Dubai World Trade Centre has been the venue of choice for regional and international events for 40 years.
The Centre offers 67 halls and meeting rooms as well as a total area of 68,000 square meters. Expect a world-class experience when you host an event in the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The Dubai World Trade Centre offers a different array of meeting rooms for different occasions. We particularly like that you can even choose from indoor or outdoor options.
Their Sheikh Maktoum Hall is ideal for those looking for a big conference space that also requires smaller break-out sessions. On the other hand, outdoor events can be held at The Plaza, complete with covered cafes and restaurants.
The Sheikh Rashid Hall can accommodate up to 3,800 guests in a banquet-style arrangement, which in our opinion, is great for international delegates. Alternatively, the Sheikh Saeed Hall is closer for commuters, providing ample parking and access for valet points.
If a smaller space is needed, the Bubble Lounge makes for a good choice. We think its design is well-suited for cocktail parties and other events.
Visiting the venue is easy, in our opinion, thanks to its own dedicated metro station. You can also catch a taxi in order to get there as almost all drivers are familiar with the location.
Lastly, for private car owners, you can get access to the place from the Sheikh Zayed Road.
The Dubai World Trade Center offers a very versatile set of event spaces perfect for different occasions. Whether you host a landmark event at the Sheikh Rashid Hall, or a more intimate party in their Bubble Lounge, you can be sure to find a hall that you can use.
Pros
- Dedicated metro station makes for easy access
- Huge space for hosting events
Cons
- Paid parking space is a little expensive
- Layout might feel confusing without relying on a map online for first-time visitors
Customer Reviews:
“The layout of the World Trade Centre: station, exhibition halls etc, is fantastic”
“I was here with colleagues for the 2019 edition of the Big Five Exhibition. It was packed as usual, and we had a very nice time and got into some business talks that we count on for future prospects.
The layout of the World Trade Centre: station, exhibition halls etc, is fantastic. The only drag is the limited number of options for meals.” – Jydeoo
“Spacious and having a user centric ambiance”
“The mighty vast event center in Dubai. Spacious and having a user centric ambience. The authority is maintaining it neat and clean which is much appreciated. Even for a new visitor the signage and security assistance is well place. For any kind of exhibition or meet up the space is well tuned. Head a lot about Dubai world trade center prior visiting here and experienced the same positive notes heard throughout.” – Richin R Chandran
3. The Address Hotels + Resorts
| RATING | |
| EVENT SPACE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| EQUIPMENT | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| FLEXIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
The Address Hotels + Resorts is a brand launched by Emaar Hospitality Group. Situated in the heart of Dubai’s downtown area, it is billed as a luxury brand perfect for conducting business, recreational, and lifestyle activities.
Address offers multiple different venues. You can choose to use their spaces for both corporate and lifestyle events like weddings. The spaces they offer are as follows:
The Diamond Ballroom can accommodate up to 600 guests within a venue size of 576 square meters. We think its themed decor and tailor-made menus makes it perfect for weddings and similar events.
On the other hand, their Sapphire Meeting Room can accommodate a maximum of 15 guests within 68 square meters of space. With its great AV equipment, this should be a good spot for private meetings and events in our opinion.
The Ruby and Emerald Meeting Rooms are good if you need something bigger without going into full ballroom territory. It has a total area of 79 square meters, allowing up to 24 to 70 guests.
Then there is the Turquoise Meeting Room; a smaller space, only capable of holding up to three individuals. However, this does make it a good option as a temporary office or for more confidential discussions between leaders and decision-makers in our opinion.
The Address Dubai Mall has the benefit of being close to major landmarks near Boulevard Central. It is 3 minutes away from Burj Khalifa, 6 minutes away from the Dubai Fountain, and 9 minutes away from Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo.
You can access it from the Dubai Mall Metro Station which is 9 minutes away. You can also get to the location via the Business Bay and Financial Centre Metro Stations, both just 8 minutes away.
It is one of the largest shopping destinations in the world while also acting as one of the best conference centres in Dubai. We think visitors will love the array of recreational options they can indulge in once the event is over.
Pros
- Different meeting room types
- Major landmarks makes the venue easy to spot
Cons
- Huge number of visitors might result in some waiting time
- Expect regular crowds near the mall area
Customer Reviews:
“Property is very luxurious and spacious”
“Visited the hotel to see the venues they have for an event, the property is very luxurious and spacious. The Events personal are very friendly and helpful (they stamped our valet parking card before we left).
The meeting rooms and ballroom are spacious and the floors are all carpeted and nice.” – Eman
“Exemplary service and provides us with the highest level of customer care”
“The Address provides a exemplary service and provides us with the highest level of customer care during the Event. Many thanks to the Sales Team and everyone behind them, more particularly to Ryan, Shariful not to forget the service staff. They all did an amazing job. The customer service is outstanding and everyone was willing to do extra mile to meet the needs of their customers.” – Pamela D
4. Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre
| RATING | |
| EVENT SPACE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| EQUIPMENT | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| FLEXIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
The Ritz-Carlton grants conference visitors direct access to the Dubai International Financial Centre. It is a beautiful venue for your event, with modern art furnishings and elegant spaces.
A quick glance around the area also reveals an impressive array of restaurants, shopping spaces, and nightlife attractions.
The Ritz-Carlton offers more than 2,600 square meters of space for events. We like that this hotel allows organizers to choose between their indoor or outdoor venues depending on their needs.
Their Samaya Ballrooms add up to more than 1,394 square meters of space for big gatherings. In our opinion, this space is perfect for conventions, auto shows, seminars, workshops, and executive retreats.
However, they also offer smaller salons for more personal gatherings. These spaces can hold anywhere from 10 to 80 guests.
The Ritz-Carlton is located off the Sheikh Zayed Road, making it quite accessible for car owners. It also sits between the Emirates Towers and Financial Centre Metro Stations.
Lastly, it is around 15KM away from the Dubai International Airport, for visitors who wish to visit the area upon landing. So if you’re looking for a conference centre near the airport, this may not exactly be the best option for you.
The Ritz-Carlton brand is known for its world-class customer service and excellent spaces and the Dubai branch does not disappoint. Their skilled team will easily ensure that any event you host goes off without a hitch, making it a choice for a first event or gathering.
Pros
- Excellent customer service as expected from the brand
- Varied number of attractions to visit
Cons
- Some of the interior areas could use a refresh
- Located 15km away from airport so it might be difficult for international guests
Customer Reviews:
“Staff was from valet to meeting rooms were amazing”
“It was my first time at Ritz Carlton DIFC and the staff was from valet to meeting rooms were amazing. The food quality and service was excellent and service staff was brilliant, special thanks to Amit, Nem, April for the lovely arrangement. I would love to come back here again.” – Asif
“Perfect outdoors area to run the events”
“We would like to thank all The Ritz-Carlton Team for helping us to run this event! It was absolutely up to our standards, classy and professional! We received the full support from The Ritz-Carlton Team and all the colleagues did their best in order to meet our demands, requests and targets. Everyone was absolutely sweet, kind, friendly and polite with the event guests.
The Ritz-Carlton Team kindly provided us with all the audio visual system, as well as helped us with the preparation and installation.
Prossecco and Canape were really tasty and served nicely. All the guests were happy about service and Garden Lawn location.
Garden Lawn or so-called “Golf Lawn” has beautiful views and its just a perfect outdoors area to run the events.
Overall, we are very thankful and looking forward to run more events in future!” – markini1993
5. Dubai Festival Arena
| RATING | |
| EVENT SPACE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| EQUIPMENT | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| FLEXIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
The Dubai Festival Arena offers the perfect venue for creative events and other conferences regardless of complexity. Managed by the Intercontinental brand, the arena is set within the landscape of Dubai Festival City.
The space has played host to a number of international events from one year to another. This makes it a very notable conference centre in Dubai.
The venue offers 7,200 square meters of event space, divided into three sectors: 5,000 square meters in the Main Hall, 1000 square meters for the pre-function hall, and 2,200 square meters for the outdoor terrace. The space also has two VIP lounges, 48 luxury toilettes, prayer rooms, and offices for the organizers.
The place offers four distinct styles depending on the event, and their capacity will differ depending on the style. A standing setup and a theater style setup can hold up to 9,800 and 6,500 guests respectively.
On the other hand, a classroom style setup can hold up to 4,000 guests. Finally, a banquet-style setup can hold up to 3,500 guests with 10 guests sitting per table.
We think that the Dubai Festival Arena is adequately accessible. It is a quick, 10 minutes drive from the Dubai International Airport and 15 minutes from the Dubai International Financial Centre.
There’s no need to worry about parking space as well. The venue provides 1,500 car parking lots.
Personalisation is one of the venue’s strongest points, making it highly desirable for organizers. Thanks to this flexibility, Dubai Festival Arena has played host to exhibits, concerts, and even government summits.
This makes the Arena a good venue to mold to your specific needs. Organisers looking to maintain sufficient control over their event setup may want to start their event here.
Pros
- Very spacious location
- Flexible setup depending on the event
Cons
- A little difficult to reach without a private car
- Sand and dust at outdoor venues may interfere with some equipment
Customer Reviews:
“Good place for large events”
“A little far from the main road, difficult to access without car. Good place for large events. Ample parking space available. Went there for accounting & finance show. Good view of Dubai Skyline from the gate.” – Deepak
“Modern business and entertainment area”
“A modern business and entertainment area, Dubai Festival City centers on a massive mall of the same name, home to international fashion and furniture brands, global food courts and a cinema complex. Upmarket hotels on Dubai Creek host major conferences, and have stylish European restaurants with city skyline views. The annual Festival of Literature is popular for workshops and poetry readings.” – Fujadventures
FAQs about Conference Centres in Dubai:
It’s easy enough to decide between a good and a bad option. It’s a bit trickier when choosing two or more conference centres in Dubai.
Always start with addressing your specific needs. With so many places offering flexible halls and spaces, finding the most compatible centre in Dubai shouldn’t be too difficult for you.
Just remember to abide by the rules and honor your contract with your rented space. Stay safe and may your planned event be successful.
If you’re planning on staying for a few days to attend an event, you can look up a list of serviced apartments in Dubai here.