Categories & candidates
Who's in the running — and how they're judged.
The shortlisted candidates per category sit up top. Below, every award states its rules — all judged by an independent jury on the performance data available.
The candidates
Candidates are reviewed and shortlisted by the awards team before the jury votes. Once a category's shortlist is approved and published, the candidates appear here.
The categories explained
Eleven awards, each with clear entry rules. Every award is judged by an independent jury on the performance data available — no ambiguity, no moving goalposts.
Best Operator in the UAE
The UAE's most complete operator across 2025 — numbers, growth, compliance and guest outcomes that hold up under examination. The headline award.
View categoryBest Abu Dhabi Operator
The strongest operator whose centre of gravity is Abu Dhabi, recognising the distinct regulatory and inventory profile of that market.
View categoryBest Boutique Operator
Operators running fewer than 50 units who win on quality, distinctiveness and unit economics — not scale. The best small operator in the UAE.
View categoryBest Mid-Size Operator
Operators running 50 to 200 units who pair the discipline of scale with the attention of a boutique. The UAE's strongest mid-size operator.
View categoryBest Scale Operator
Operators running more than 200 units who maintain quality, compliance and unit economics at scale.
View categoryBest Revenue Management — Dubai
The sharpest revenue management on a single Dubai apartment over a full year, decided on documented 2025 net revenue across four sub-categories.
View categoryBest Designed Portfolio
The most thoughtful design execution across a portfolio — consistency, distinctiveness and commercial impact, not single hero units.
View categoryBest AI Tools — Self-Built or Adoption
Operators who have meaningfully changed how their business runs through AI — built in-house or adopted — measured on impact, not novelty.
View categoryBest Sustainability Initiative
A specific sustainability initiative — energy, water, waste, sourcing or community — with measurable 2025 outcomes. Credible action over branding.
View categoryBest Marketing Campaign
The single most effective marketing campaign of 2025. The only Year 1 category open beyond operators — vendors and internal departments may enter.
View categoryIndustry Pioneer
The person doing the most to lead and shape the UAE short-term rental industry — pushing standards, ideas and the market forward. Decided by a member vote, regardless of age or tenure.
View categoryReady to enter?
Entry is free and judging is transparent. Enter one category or several.
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