INDEX Dubai: Hotels & Where to Stay
1 June – 3 June 2027 Dubai World Trade Centre 25,000 attendees
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- Pay over up to 16 weeks
- Business invoices
- Free cancellation rooms
INDEX Dubai is the MENA region's leading trade event for the interiors and interior design industry, connecting global suppliers of furniture, decor, lighting, textiles and finishes with regional buyers, designers, developers and hospitality specifiers. The 2027 edition runs 1-3 June 2027 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the long-established exhibition complex at the heart of Dubai's business district. For a business traveller, DWTC is one of the most convenient venues in the city: it has its own World Trade Centre station on the Dubai Metro Red Line, with a covered walkway connecting the station directly to the halls, and it sits amid a cluster of hotels along Sheikh Zayed Road. That central position means many hotels are within a short metro ride or walk, and business districts, Downtown Dubai and the DIFC are all close. Because Dubai hosts many overlapping events, booking early and choosing a Red Line or DWTC-area hotel keeps the daily commute short and reliable.
Popular areas for attendees: Sheikh Zayed Road · Downtown Dubai · DIFC.
- DWTC has its own metro station with a covered walkway straight to the halls
- The venue sits amid a hotel cluster on Sheikh Zayed Road, many within a short ride
- Central location puts Downtown, DIFC and Business Bay dining within easy reach
- Dubai's busy events calendar means well-located rooms book up ahead of the show
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 1 June – 3 June 2027
- Venue
- Dubai World Trade Centre
- City
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Airport
- DXB
- Attendance
- 25,000
Recommended Hotels for Business Travellers
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Reserve early and spread payments over up to 16 weeks.
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Stay close to the venue
Hotels ranked by walking distance.
Flexible bookings
Pay Weekly available on free cancellation rooms.
Rates shown for the event window, Mon, May 31 → Fri, Jun 4 (arrive the day before, leave the day after) — or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
The venue, your hotel options and where to eat — all in one view. Tap the map to explore it full screen.
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- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
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Need to expense this trip? Business invoices available at checkout.
Where to eat during INDEX Dubai
DWTC empties into DIFC and Satwa at night — book the flagship dinners before you fly and keep the 24-hour institutions for the late build-up shifts.
Trèsind Studio
Progressive Indian tasting menu
Palm Jumeirah — ~25 min by car from DWTC
The world's first Indian restaurant to hold three Michelin stars — an intimate ~20-seat rooftop studio. The definitive close-the-deal dinner if you can secure seats.
Tip: Book weeks ahead; the tasting runs ~3 hours — pick a night with no early hall access.
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Zuma Dubai
Contemporary Japanese izakaya
DIFC — one metro stop from DWTC
The default client-dinner room for Dubai's finance and trade-fair crowd — robata grill, polished service, minutes from DWTC.
Tip: The business set lunch is a fast, high-impression option between sessions.
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Ravi Restaurant
Pakistani · since 1978
Al Satwa — ~6 min by car from DWTC
A Dubai institution, open 24 hours — benchmark karahi and tandoor bread at canteen prices. Cab drivers and visiting CEOs at the same tables.
Tip: Chicken karahi and butter naan — and it never closes after late build-up shifts.
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Al Ustad Special Kabab
Iranian kebabs · since 1978
Bur Dubai — ~12 min by car from DWTC
Family-run, photo-plastered Persian kebab house — one of old Dubai's most beloved rooms, famous for yoghurt-marinated chicken kebab.
Tip: Open until ~3:30am — handy after late networking.
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Al Mallah
Lebanese street food
2nd December St, Al Satwa — ~5 min from DWTC
Dubai's benchmark shawarma — decades-old Satwa cafeteria open until ~2am. The quick, reliable bite after a long exhibition day.
Tip: Chicken shawarma with extra toum, pavement seating.
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The Sum of Us
Specialty coffee · bakery
Sheikh Zayed Rd — walking distance from DWTC
In-house roastery and sourdough bakery — effectively DWTC's nearest serious specialty coffee, good for a pre-show flat white or informal first meeting.
Tip: Arrive before 9am during GITEX week to beat the badge crowd.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: Dubai
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after INDEX Dubai — bookable experiences in Dubai, same account, same checkout.
While you're in Dubai
Dubai's winter season packs world-class horse racing, rugby, tennis and stadium concerts around its year-round business calendar.
Dubai World Cup horse racing
One of the world's richest race days turns Meydan Racecourse into a major social occasion that pairs perfectly with a spring trip.
Find ticketsEmirates Dubai 7s rugby
The Dubai Sevens weekend mixes international rugby with music and a festival atmosphere, and is hugely popular with expat business crowds.
Find ticketsDubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Top ATP and WTA players compete in an intimate stadium in Garhoud, minutes from the airport and major business districts.
Find ticketsCoca-Cola Arena concerts
Dubai's main indoor arena in City Walk draws global touring artists and comedy acts, especially through the cooler months.
Find ticketsAbu Dhabi Grand Prix (F1)
The season-closing F1 race at Yas Marina is about an hour's drive from Dubai and comes with headline after-race concerts.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
Getting there
From Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Take the Dubai Metro Red Line from the airport terminals toward the World Trade Centre station
- World Trade Centre station connects to DWTC via a covered walkway
- A taxi or ride-hail from DXB to DWTC takes roughly 15-25 minutes depending on traffic
From Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) or by taxi
- From Al Maktoum in Dubai South, use a taxi or ride-hail; it is farther from the centre than DXB
- Careem, Uber and RTA taxis serve DWTC directly; enter Dubai World Trade Centre as the destination
- Allow buffer time in evening peak traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road
Getting around during INDEX Dubai
Dubai Metro Red Line
- World Trade Centre station on the Red Line links directly to the venue via a covered walkway
- Buy a Nol card or use contactless entry; the metro is air-conditioned and reliable
- Trains are busy at opening and closing peaks during the show
Taxi and ride-hailing
- Careem, Uber and metered RTA taxis are plentiful, with clear drop-off points at DWTC
- Road traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road peaks around show times and rides can surge
- For central hops the metro is often faster than a car
Visa & entry
Visa-free and visa-on-arrival entry
- Nationals of many countries can enter the UAE visa-free or receive a visa on arrival for short stays
- Permitted durations vary by nationality, so confirm your allowance before travel
Who needs a visa in advance
- Travellers not eligible for visa-free or on-arrival entry need a UAE visit visa arranged in advance, often via an airline, hotel or sponsor
- Apply early and keep confirmation accessible on arrival
Entry rules change; confirm current requirements with the United Arab Emirates embassy or official immigration site before booking travel.
First time at INDEX Dubai?
- Register online for your badge in advance to speed up entry
- Use the covered walkway from World Trade Centre metro station to reach the halls without going outside
- Get a Nol card on arrival so you can ride the Red Line straight to the venue
- June is hot in Dubai, so dress business-smart but light and stay hydrated between meetings
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- The middle day is often calmer than the opening for detailed sourcing conversations
- For client dinners, DIFC, Downtown Dubai and Business Bay are all a short metro or taxi ride away
- Use the metro to skip Sheikh Zayed Road congestion and taxi surges at daily peaks
- Book early despite the central location, as Dubai's crowded events calendar keeps hotels tight
INDEX Dubai travel FAQs
Where should I stay for INDEX Dubai?
Hotels around the Dubai World Trade Centre and along the Red Line, including Downtown, DIFC and Business Bay, give quick access via the metro or a short taxi. The Sheikh Zayed Road cluster beside DWTC is most convenient.
How much do hotels cost during INDEX Dubai?
Dubai offers a broad range; mid-range central hotels often run AED 350-800 (roughly USD 95-220) a night, rising during busy event periods. Luxury properties cost considerably more.
How early should I book hotels for INDEX Dubai?
Book two to three months ahead. Dubai runs many overlapping exhibitions, so well-located rooms near DWTC and the metro fill early.
Which airport do I fly into for INDEX Dubai?
Dubai International (DXB) is the main gateway, connected to the World Trade Centre station directly on the metro Red Line. Al Maktoum (DWC) is an alternative but farther from the centre.
How do I get from the metro to the venue?
World Trade Centre station on the Red Line links to the Dubai World Trade Centre via a covered walkway, so you can reach the halls without stepping outside into the heat.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with INDEX Dubai or its organizers. Dates and venues can change — verify with the official event site before booking travel.