Dubai

With its transition from a small trading port to a thriving city in a remarkably short time, Dubai has become a flourishing success story. The United Arab Emirates' most populous metropolis is a combination of striking and ambitious architecture, sunburned dunes, and an azure coastline. It is easy to get to the city, as Dubai is well served by world-class airports, several ports, and a choice of highways and bus routes.

Dubai has countless hotels and resorts — ranging from opulent to standard — to suit every taste, whim, and budget. Most hotels are located within a 30-minute ride from the main Dubai airport, and the larger hotels provide airport shuttles and minibus services to the main tourist and shopping spots.

The iconic business hotels in Dubai include Grand Hyatt, with 682 rooms and 8,000 square meters of event space, encompassing two ballrooms, 22 live kitchens, 14 meeting rooms, and several outdoor venues. Dubai is also home to the world's tallest hotel, the 528-room Gevora Hotel, and the second-tallest, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, which has more than 1,600 guest rooms and suites. Other options include the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, which has a grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 700 people, and the Sofitel Dubai Downtown, which has 15 meeting rooms, plus the enormous Diamond Ballroom.

For large-scale conferences and exhibitions, the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), located at the heart of the Dubai World Trade Centre, offers 131,000 square meters of flexible and configurable space. The DICEC also has a wide range of meeting rooms for smaller company events such as trainings and seminars.