FAQs

Documents

New Application

Renewal

Up / Downgrade

Designator

Advisory Visits

Passport Copy of Applicant

Y

Emirates ID

Y

Letter of Authority

Y

DM Completion Certificate

Y

Plot Map

Y

Location Map

Y

Hotel Establishment Blue Print

Y

NOL by Sponsor (if Expat is applying)

Y

NOL to use Trade Name

Y

Passport of GM

Y

Family Record <Khulasat Al Qid>

Y

Tenancy Contract

Y

Y

Certificate of Good Conduct

Y

Letter of Request

Y

Y

Y

Hotel Establishment Classification Category

Fee per Unit (AED)

Five Star Hotel or Resort

115

Four Star Hotel or Resort

100

Three Star Hotel or Resort

80

Two Star Hotel

60

One star Hotel

50

Deluxe Hotel Apartment

60

Superior Hotel Apartment

40

Standard Hotel Apartment

30

Terminology

Explanation

Administrative Order

An Assessment Type that happens

Assessment

a) In response to an advice that a Guest Accommodation is

operating without a license.

b) In response to a request from authorities to complete an

information gathering task

Advisory Visit

An Assessment Type, Offered by the Advisory Unit at DTCM, for a

Fee, prior to the Receive Guest Assessment (May also be requested

at any time) It is considered a mock assessment.

Airport Property

A Hotel Establishment located either within the international

passenger airport complex or in close proximity of the international

passenger airport (From Airport Main Arrival Gate: 2 km radius if

Airport is in the City, 5 km radius if Airport is in the suburb)

All-Suite Property

A Hotel or Resort where 90% or more of units offered are suites,

with no less than 75%of the full inventory being full suites i.e.

separate bedroom and living rooms.

Announced Assessments

Assessments that are announced upon arrival to the Hotel

Establishment and not before.

Application Form

A Form that the Hotel Establishment fills out to apply for a specific

purpose: (New Classification, Receive Guest, Renew, Upgrade,

Downgrade etc...)

Assessment

The process of auditing and documenting evidence to determine the

Hotel Establishment compliance with classification Criteria.

Assessor

DTCM Classification Assessors are authorised personnel who will

identify themselves with photo identification and an official business

card when assessing Hotel Establishments.

The assessor visits the establishment to conduct an “assessment” by

evaluating the current state of the surroundings, services and

facilities in order to determine the correct rating and compliance of

standards.

AS - #

This is Assessment number created on Classification Portal when

Hotel Establishment has launched an application process. The

number is unique for each and every application

Beachfront Property

A Hotel Establishment located on and/or with direct access to the

beach.

Beachside Property

A Beachside Hotel Establishment is located a maximum of 500

meters walking distance from the beach (to Hotel Establishment's

main entrance). All sea view rooms, must have sea facing view

(excluding bathrooms), and guests have access to the beach.

Boutique Property

A Hotel or Resort having between 10 and 100 rooms. Intimate,

luxurious, distinctive, (often with a unique design or concept) which

provides an exceptional and personalised level of accommodation,

services and facilities. This type of property tends to attract a niche

of customers looking for a special and differentiated property to

fulfil their individual needs. (Boutique Properties may introduce

different themes in each guestroom)

Business Property

A Hotel Establishment catering to the business traveller, often

located in the centre of the business or commercial heart of the city

A Hotel is a Hotel Establishment that provides paid lodging, meals,

Budget Hotel

and other services for travellers and tourists on a short-term basis.

Category

Refers to a Hotel Establishment type: e.g. a Hotel, Resort, Hotel

Apartment, Guest House, Youth Hostel, University Campus, Holiday

Homes

Classification Standard (also

Are the unique standards expected at each category / rating. These

known as Criteria)

standards are grouped as follows:

• Licensing Criteria

• Operating Criteria

• Enhancing Criteria

A checklist exists for each category and rating which lists all the

standards.

Classification renewal

An Assessment type conducted for the Annual Renewal of all Hotel

Establishment Categories and Ratings

Cleanliness Guidelines

Guidelines used to determine the standard of cleanliness of the

internal / external environment, specifically:

• All finishes including glass, mirrors, wood etc.,

• Furniture, fixtures and fittings including bathrooms, dressing areas

• Special attention must be given to ensure everything is dust free

and no evidence of marks or staining

• Safety of the guest is paramount and therefore the establishment

must be completely hazard free

Assessors should note that ‘ADEQUATE’ is not sufficient. Any

imperfections must be documented, reported and corrected by the

establishment within a specific timeframe

Compliance

Conforming and adhering to Classification Standards and other

requirements stipulated by DTCM

Condition Guidelines

Guidelines used to determine the physical state of the internal /

external environment, specifically:

• The finishes of fabric and other material i.e. Leather, Drapes,

Covers etc.,

• The condition of the furniture, fittings and equipment

• All equipment fully functioning and free from hazards

Assessors should note that ‘ADEQUATE’ is not sufficient. Any

imperfections must be documented, reported and corrected by the

establishment within a specific timeframe

Convention Property

A Hotel Establishment that can hold a convention type event on-site

Criteria (also known as

Are the unique standards expected at each category / Rating. These

Classification Standard)

standards are grouped as follows:

• Licensing Criteria

• Operating Criteria

• Enhancing Criteria

A checklist exists for each category and rating which lists all the

standards.

Desert Property

A Hotel Establishment set in the Desert, which may be around an

oasis (minimum of 3 km radius of Desert surrounding) and reflects

the heritage and history of the country providing traditional desert

activities.

Designator

Are essential tools of the new Hotel Classification Scheme, which

promotes the specialties offered by the destination through its Hotel

Establishment Portfolio

They are symbols, which communicate to the consumer that a Hotel

Establishment caters to one or more specific markets. (This may be

by virtue of specialised facilities and services, or a unique style /

setting, such as Airport, All Suites, Beach Front, Beach Side,

Boutique, Business, City, Convention, family, Golf, Heritage, Island,

Shopping, Sport, Theme park, Spa, Desert and Wellness)

Document Library

Is a Page on the Dubai Classification Software where all important

documents are stored for reference (these can be uploaded by

DTCM or by the Establishments). It is a 2 way Document Library.

DTCM - #

This is application on Classification Portal which has been launched

by Hotel Establishment

Enhancing Criteria

Is the Classification Standard which enhance the stay / experience of

the guest at the Hotel Establishment 50% of the enhancing

standards must be fulfilled. In the event that 50% standards are not

met, grace periods may be granted for implementation.

Enhancing Standards differ by Category and by Rating

Evidence

Anything that is presented in support or as proof of an Assessment.

(this is especially required when assessors mark Hotel

Establishments as deficient and not meeting a specific Criteria)

Family Property

A Hotel Establishment catering to the specific needs of the family

market and features family rooms

Fine

A sum of money required to be paid as a penalty for a Violation

Floating Hotels

To be Introduced

Follow-up Assessments

An Assessment Type that happens:

- To follow-up on unfulfilled criteria that have been given a grace

period to rectify.

_ In response to a specific complaint received by DTCM

Generic Checklist

A Checklist Used for the New Classification Assessment. E.g. A hotel

Generic Checklist will combine the key and infrastructural

Classification Standards for all Hotel Ratings (Budget to 5 Star)

Golf Property

A Hotel Establishment offering an 18 hole golf course (or 9 hole that

is played twice) within the Establishment complex

Guest House

A Guest House is either a converted house, etc… adapted to

accommodate overnight guests; or it may be a purpose built facility.

A Guest House is run as a commercial operation, with a minimum of

5 rooms It has public areas, which are for the exclusive use of the

guest.

Heritage Property

A Hotel Establishment which reflects the traditional style of the

building’s past, which may be restored or upgraded. Located within

the designated historic/heritage zones, or in buildings designated as

historic/heritage buildings by Dubai Municipality or the relevant

authorities.

Holiday Homes

A Holiday Home is an establishment that includes offering owned or

rental furnished Real Estate units that are rented on daily, weekly,

monthly basis. It involves renting the unit as a whole and not

partially as rooms or beds. (definition is yet to be confirmed by DTCM

and is subject to change)

Hotel

A Hotel is a Hotel Establishment that provides paid lodging, meals,

and other services for travellers and tourists on a short-term basis.

Hotel Apartment

A Hotel Apartment shall signify a Hotel Establishment offering guests

a complete self-contained sole occupancy unit consisting of studios

and units with one or more bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen

with cooking facilities and dining area.

Hotel Establishment

The Collective name that refers to one or all of the following e.g. a

Hotel, Resort, Hotel Apartment, Guest House, Youth Hostel,

University Campus, Holiday Homes

Industry Partner Page

Is the Hotel Establishment Page on the Dubai Classification Software

that allows the Hotel Establishment to apply, track applications and

assessments, receive assessment results, appeal, and communicate

with DTCM

Informed Assessments

Assessments that are Informed to Hotel Establishments prior to

arrival.

Inspection

The process of examining the Hotel Establishments to ensure its

compliance with the Classification Criteria.

Inspector

Those authorised personnel who visit the Hotel Establishments to

assess their compliance with the Classification Criteria.

The inspector visits the establishment to conduct an “inspection” by

scrutinising the compliance of standards and issuing violations

accordingly

Island Property

A Hotel Establishment located on an island (land totally surrounded

on all sides by water i.e. no road connection) offering

accommodation in either independent villa type units and/or

single/double villa type or room blocks that are not higher than the

height of a Palm Tree (maximum of ground level plus 1 additional

level).

Licensing Criteria

Are the mandatory standards against which full compliance is

required in order to receive a license to operate a guest

accommodation establishment and achieve a Classification Rating

i. All standards must be fulfilled.

ii. No exemptions are permitted.

iii. Failure to fulfil/rectify may result in downgrade or closure.

Licensing Standards differ by Category and by rating.

Mystery Assessments

Assessments that occur Overnight and the Assessors will announce

themselves on departure.

New Classification Assessment

An Assessment type conducted:

- For the New Hotel Establishment after Dubai Municipality

completion certificate is issued.

- As a request to transform an existing building (new or

occupied) into a Hotel Establishment

- To change Category of Hotel Establishment

New Establishments

A Hotel Establishment that requests permission from DTCM to build,

convert or take over an existing property, from the date of issuance

of the Administrative Order for Criteria for the Classification

Scheme.

Operating Criteria

Are also mandatory standards, which are over and above the

Licensing Criteria, and which are deemed necessary to operate a

Hotel Establishment at each classification rating

i. All standards must be fulfilled

ii. No exemptions permitted, however:

iii. Grace periods may be granted by DTCM for

rectification/implementation of unfulfilled standards, subject to

submission and acceptance of formal “undertaking” by Hotel

establishments

iv. Failure to act within the specified grace period may result in

downgrade.

v. A limit is placed on the permitted number of occurrences where

operating standards are not met.

Operating Standards differ by Category and by Rating

Pi

Represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter

which will always calculate at 3.14

Rating Checklist

Is the Individual Checklist for each Category Level or Grading (e.g. for

a 5 star hotel). It includes all Classification Standards required for

that Level.

Rating

The level or grading of a specific Category (e.g. 5 star , Deluxe etc…)

Receive Guest Assessment

An Assessment Type conducted prior to opening the Hotel

Establishments, to approve the receipt of guests into the Hotel

Establishment. It is also conducted each time new rooms are

added/opened to receive guests.

Resort

A Resort is a full service, amenity rich Hotel Establishment expanding

over numerous acres, which provides a destination experience to its

guests. Resorts differ from hotels, due to the range of additional

facilities and services provided, including F&B, sports, leisure,

entertainment, and shopping.

Scoring

A system that calculates the number of Classification Standards

achieved by the Hotel Establishment, and outputs a final result and

recommendation in the Dubai Classification Software.

Self-Assessment

An Assessment that is completed by the Hotel Establishments on

their own properties, at the end of the application form.

Shopping Property

A Hotel Establishment situated within, or attached via a covered

pedestrian walkway (maximum 500m from Hotel Establishment

entrance to Mall entrance), to a Shopping Centre / Mall / Souk.

Defined by Dubai Municipality as having a minimum of 10,000 sq. ft.

and passageways which are covered or indoors, and are air

conditioned.

Spa Property

A Hotel Establishment that includes spa facilities which offer a

minimum of 10 treatment rooms and a wide range of customised

treatments.

Sports Property

A Hotel Establishment located inside or within close proximity (3km

radius) to a destination sports facility (defined as a facility with local

membership of a sporting federation or Dubai Sports Council with

full access to, and use of the main facility and the supporting /

ancillary services, facilities and staff e.g. stables, training pool;

OR

A Hotel Establishment which offers a variety (minimum of 4) of

sporting activities for its guests, with dedicated facilities and training

centres / professionals on site e.g. an academy / centre of

excellence, offering training programmes for each sporting discipline

offered e.g. Golf Course, Tennis Courts, Olympic swimming pool,

FIFA approved pitches, Athletic tracks, Cycling tracks etc.

Spot Checks

An Assessment type that is Ad-hoc, and conducted during the

license period

(In addition to the Annual Classification Assessment)

System Registration

The process by which All Hotel Establishments are registered and

mapped in the Dubai Classification Software

Theme Park Property

A Hotel Establishment which is part of a theme park, located within

or at the entrance, and designed to complement the various

attractions and characters in the zone it is situated in. (A 'theme

park' is a distinct style of amusement park, for a theme park has

landscaping, buildings, and attractions that are based on one or

more specific or central themes).

University Campus

A University Campus Hotel Establishment can be defined as

“Student" bedrooms rented to tourists or the general public by a

college or university, as follows:

• During Term Time - for family & friends of registered students

•Out with Term Time - for all

Universal (Shamil) Employee

Is a DTCM Counter Staff member who can work on all types of

applications e.g. Licensing/Classification and Permits/ Inspections

UNREG - #

This is user registration number that has been created by Hotel

Establishment on Classification Portal

Upgrade/Downgrade

An Assessment type that happens In response to a request by the

Assessment

Hotel Establishment to Upgrade / Downgrade

Violation

Is the failure to meet the Classification Standards

Each occurrence and re-occurrence of a violation will result in action

and monetary fines.

Wellness Property

A retreat dedicated to offering a full range of health and wellness

treatments, cuisine and facilities, providing customised programmes

for each individual’s lifestyle improvement. Set against natural

breath taking backdrops / surroundings. Minimum treatment

capacity of 50% of maximum guests at any one time.

Youth Hostel

A Youth Hostel is a budget oriented, sociable Hotel Establishment

providing the options of Single, Double, and Family Rooms (Group

Rooms, i.e. Dormitory Style, can also be offered however as Gender

Specific).