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From the super exclusive to the free-for-all…

Our productivity levels are hugely impacted by our surroundings, some work better in peace and quiet, others are most efficient in a bustling office environment. With Dubai being such a great entrepreneurial hub, many of the UAE’s residents have their own business or work freelance so these spaces are the perfect solution to providing a unique location to work from.

From lively cafés to rent-a-desk facilities, here are 8 of the best co-working spaces in Dubai.

1. Nasab by KOA

What is it: A luxe members-only community with a work-space and social club for Dubai’s most interesting “thought leaders and game-changers”. The club has an elegant aesthetic that makes you feel at home, if your home has a photography studio, a gym, two swimming pools, private offices, a library and three food and drink outlets. Applicants should prove their level of interesting-ness, in order to be considered (and no, that doesn’t mean boasting about the number of Instagram followers you have).

How much does it cost: Nomads are granted access for 10 days per month for Dhs750; Wanderers can attend outside of peak times for Dhs775 per month; Residents are able to come and go as they please, taking any available desk for Dhs1500 per month; and members in groups from 2 to 12 can opt for the suite package which allows them to move into a fully furnished office from Dhs2000 per month.

What are the perks: Aside from the endless facilities and gorgeous interior, the club also has regular events, workshops and discussions to help the members to collaborate and communicate.

Nasab, Koa Canvas, Wadi Al Safa 3, Dubai, Dhs750 to Dhs2000 per month. nasabdubai.com

2. A4 Space

What is it: Located in the art-hub of Dubai, Alserkal Avenue, the cafe is an absolute winner, with delicious organic produce and brews from homegrown favourite Raw Coffee Company. There’s desks upstairs and small reading nooks you can climb into and lose yourself in a book.

How much does it cost: The space is totally free to use, maybe just buy a coffee and a sandwich to help them keep the space running.

What are the perks: Great Wi-fi, a cinema screening room and a mezzanine level with a community library.

Warehouse 4, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, 10am to 7pm, Sat to Thur, free. Tel: (050) 5569797. alserkalavenue.ae

3. Astrolabs

What is it: Located in JLT, the sun streams into Astrolab’s workspace and illuminates a huge ‘Make It Happen’ sign on the wall as tech start-ups beaver away at their projects. It’s a real community feel with success stories front and centre – partnerships with IBM and Google For Entrepreneurs represent a major draw, as well as the restaurants within a minute’s walk, of course.

How much does it cost: Prices start from Dhs750 per month for Moonlighter, a flexible non-peak hours membership on a month-to-month basis; Dhs1,500 will get you a flexible membership with 24/7 access and additional perks; and it’s Dhs2500 per month when signing up to an annual contract, with no trade license fee, sponsor for five residents and  24/7 access.

What are the perks: With a focus on tech businesses, the space is built for entrepreneurs with open plan, bookable meeting rooms, coding cave and device lab to test your apps.

Cluster R, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, daily 24 hours, Dhs750 to Dhs2500. Tel: (04) 424 1159. astrolabs.com

4. Nook

What is it: DUPLAYS founders Ravi Bhusari and Derv Rao have established nook to help sports, fitness and wellness entrepreneurs set up and run their business. They offer commercial licensing and space in a collaborative working environment.

How much does it cost: Shared spaces start at Dhs2,500 per month; fixed desks cost Dhs3,000 per month; private offices cost Dhs 4,450 per month. This does not include the yearly Dhs 11,000 DMCC trade license, and the monthly nook membership fees and Dhs 499 company registration.

What are the perks: Purpose-built studios and training areas with showers and changing facilities on site. Regular community socials, talks and training workshops. Plus, all co-working plans include a commercial license for your business, issued by DMCC.

Nook, One JLT, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, Dhs2500 to Dhs8,325 per month. Tel: 04 405 4100. duplays.com/nook

5. NEST

What is it: Located inside the quirky TRYP By Wyndham, co-working lounge NEST has plenty of spaces to get down to business. Highlights include privacy pods, indoor garden zone and cool community space. Good for freelancers looking for a more focused alternative to sitting in a noisy café.

How much does it cost: One-day access with limited perks costs Dhs99; 10 visits per month plus additional perks costs Dhs899; unlimited access with all the perks costs Dhs1,499 per month.

What are the perks: Unlimited coffee and snacks, discounts on dining, spa and laundry services at the hotel, pool and gym access, free valet parking and cheaper room rates at the hotel.

NEST, TRYP by Wyndham, Barsha Heights, Dubai, 8am to 11pm, Dhs99 to Dhs1,499. Tel: (04) 247 6699. nestdubai.co

6. Our Space

What is it: Right above the Lamborghini showroom, this place has all the essentials to get some serious work done. Created with nature and holistic wellness in mind, the multi-purpose space mixes wood, vines and living green walls to create an outside-in vibe across its 400-capacity workspace.

How much does it cost: Hot desk packages start from Dhs1,950 per month; private desk packages start from Dhs3,249 per month.

What are the perks: Besides on-site IT support, guest pass availability, and virtual PA services, Our Space offers free yoga, healthy food created by the award-winning Bystro team, and an in-house massage therapist.

Our Space, Lamborghini, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 9am to 6pm, Sunday to Thursday, Dhs1,950 to Dhs3,249. Tel: (056) 509 3870. ourspace.work 

7. Letswork

What is it:  Rather than a fixed location, Letswork (rolled out by e25, Emaar’s in-house innovation lab) has transformed some of the city’s top venues to create affordable pop-up co-working spaces. Sign up and pay online, then head to any of the participating venues. So far, 14 locations are available including: all Rove Hotels, Vida Downtown, Ostro in DusitD2 Kenz Hotel, Molecule in d3, The Scene in Pier 7, and Arabian Ranches Golf Club.

How much does it cost: Day rates start at Dhs39; weekly rates are Dhs209; and monthly rates are Dhs490.

What are the perks: Unlimited tea, coffee, water and WiFi, free parking, seats with plugs, 20 per cent discount on food and drink at each location and meeting room access.

Letswork, various locations, Dubai, Dhs39 to Dhs490. Tel: (056) 570 0089. letswork.io 

8. Witwork

What is it: Similar to Letswork, Witwork provides access to daytime dormant spaces (i.e. restaurants, pubs and cafes that are popular in the evenings or on the weekends, but are mostly empty during off-peak hours) across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras al Khaimah.

How much does it cost: You can start with a one week free trial, after that plans start from Dhs175 per week, Dhs400 per month and Dhs1000 per quarter.

What are the perks: Unlimited tea and coffee, plus discounted rates on meeting rooms available within the hotels WitWork operates from.

Witwork, various locations around the UAE, Dhs175 to Dhs1000. Tel: (050) 622 7614. witwork.co

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