Methodology
How winners are determined.
Transparency is what makes a win mean something. Here's the full methodology, the jury, and how to reach us.
Current version: v3 · Placeholder file until the final document is published.
The performance period is the 2025 calendar year
The STR Club verifies every claim against independent data sources — AirDNA, PriceLabs, DET data, and public records. Operators don't have to assemble evidence packs; we do the research.
How we verify claims
Operator and revenue-management awards are decided on verified performance. Operators don't assemble evidence packs — The STR Club cross-checks every submitted claim against independent data: AirDNA, PriceLabs, DET data, and public sources. The one exception is Best Revenue Management, where operators submit a PMS statement for the apartment's full-year 2025 revenue. Where a claim can't be substantiated, the operator is asked to clarify before the jury sees the entry.
Jury-judged categories
Design, AI Tools, Sustainability and Marketing awards are scored by an independent jury against four published criteria — originality, measurable outcome, evidence quality, and replicability — each on a 1–5 scale (maximum 20). A winner needs a score of 12 or above. Jurors recuse themselves from any entry where a conflict is declared.
Peer-voted award
Industry Pioneer nominees — people leading and shaping the UAE STR industry, regardless of age or tenure — are screened for relevance and substance by the jury chair, then voted on by verified members of The STR Club. One vote per member, no re-voting. Tallies stay private until voting closes.
Conflicts and integrity
Every entrant declares relationships with jurors and leadership before submitting. Operators affiliated with The STR Club leadership cannot enter in Year 1. Every decision is logged.
The jury
An independent jury reviews the operator entries alongside The STR Club's verification, and scores the design, AI, sustainability and marketing categories. Jurors are selected for their standing in the industry and screened for conflicts.
Jury announcement coming soon
The full panel will appear here before entries are scored.
Contact
Entries, sponsorship or press — we'd love to hear from you.