Award Categories and Voting Criteria

This year, there are 10 Awards divided into the following categories. Each award category has numerous criteria to evaluate each nomination. Nominations must address all the criteria identified for each award.

1. The Middle East North Africa Hotel of the Year

The “Grand Prize” of the evening will be awarded to a Middle East & North Africa four or five star hotel that has shown excellence in every aspect including facilities, services, commitment to guests, operation etc.

The following criteria are to be analyzed and taken into consideration while voting for this award category, therefore must be highlighted in the award submission:

- Contribution to the region
- Architecture and design
- Facilities vs price/product
- Quality programs (i.e. ISO2004)
- Personnel selection
- Training programs
- Local / International Image
- Operating statistics
- Environmental awareness
- Press/industry/client acknowledgement

2. The Middle East North Africa Resort Property of the Year

This award will be given to any Middle East & North Africa four or five star resort hotel that has shown excellence in every aspect including facilities, services, commitment to guests, operations etc.

The following criteria are to be analyzed and taken into consideration while voting for this award category, therefore must be highlighted in the award submission:

- Appropriate facilities
- Appropriate services
- Qualifications and selection of personnel
- Bespoke/custom made programs
- Health and safety programs
- Price /product parity
- Empathy with environment
- Press/industry acknowledgement
- Exterior/interior design
- Exterior/landscaping/lighting and interior design

3. Business Hotel of the Year

This award will be given to any Middle East & North Africa four or five star business hotel that has shown excellence in the provision of services and facilities for the business traveler and meeting facilities, operations, commitment and service to clients etc.

The following criteria are to be analyzed and taken into consideration while voting for this award category, therefore must be highlighted in the award submission:

- Location and access
- Meeting room facilities and packages
- Common business facilities
- Bespoke services
- Rates
- Technology (Internet connectivity, Audio Visual equipment, WIFI...)
- Client list vs product position
- Industry/press acknowledgement
- Facilities v footprint available
- Collateral
- Design practicality
- Personnel selection and training
- Booking handling and management

4. New Hotel of the Year

This award will be given to any Middle East & North Africa four or five star hotel that has opened its doors for business between the 1st April 2006 and the 1st April 2007.

The following criteria are to be analyzed and taken into consideration while voting for this award category, therefore must be highlighted in the award submission:

- Architectural merit
- Design merit
- Within fiscal budget
- On time within build program
- Post opening activity statistics
- Post opening quality
- Environmental business impact
- Press/industry acknowledgement
- Rooms comfort and quality
- Facilities & service provided to guests

5. Hotel Spa Facility of the Year

This award will be given to any Middle East & North Africa four or five star hotel spa facility that has shown excellence in every aspect including facilities, services, commitment to guests, operation etc.

The following criteria are to be analyzed and taken into consideration while voting for this award category, therefore must be highlighted in the award submission:

- Product creativity and design
- Treatments offered
- Products utilized
- Other services/yoga/lifestyle therapy
- Regional reference
- Customer value
- Personnel qualifications
- Training plan
- Guest history
- Health services

6. Food and Beverage Award of the year

This award will be given to any Middle East & North Africa four or five star hotel food and beverage outlet that has shown excellence in every aspect including facilities, services, menu, special promotions, design and commitment to guests etc.

The following criteria are to be analyzed and taken into consideration while voting for this award category, therefore must be highlighted in the award submission:

- Creativity and innovation in decoration
- Creativity and originality of F&B offer
- Cost vs return
- Collateral
- Advertising
- Recruitment, selection and training
- Regional referencing
- Price-product parity
- Profitability
- Press/industry acknowledgement/awards
- Hygiene and set up
- Food quality and variety

7. Standard Hotel Room of the Year

This award will be given to any Middle East & North Africa four or five star hotel that has shown excellence in the design, comfort and convenience of its standard guest room.

The following criteria are to be analyzed and taken into consideration while voting for this award category, therefore must be highlighted in the award submission:

- Room size
- Bed size and comfort
- Guest amenities
- Facility vs price/product
- Design and architecture

8. Commitment to Quality Award

This award will be given to any Middle East & North Africa four or five star hotel that has shown excellence in the commitment to quality services, operations and facilities for guests and employees.

The following criteria are to be analyzed and taken into consideration while voting for this award category, therefore must be highlighted in the award submission:

- Program creativity and content (guest satisfaction/ loyalty program)
- Personnel involvement
- Mediums used
- Measurement tools
- Cost vs effect
- External agency participation
- Press/industry/client acknowledgement

9. Hotel Manager of the Year

Nominated by owners and/or Hotel companies, and awarded to the GM who has consistently met and/or exceeded budgets, maintained standards, has a strong and successful HR/training policy and has achieved a strong and successful bottom line performance over several years.

10. Young Hotelier of the Year

Nominated by the General Manager of the Hotel, and awarded to any young Hotel professional (under 30 years old on May 1st 2007, passport copy is required) who has shown outstanding professionalism, dedication, enthusiasm and achievements in his/her career to date.