How a Hotel Can Benefit from Joining the Russian Hospitality Awards 2024

What the Russian Hospitality Awards are about

The Russian Hospitality Awards is an annual competition that has been gathering Russia’s top hotels and restaurants for more than a decade. Since its launch in 2014 the event has grown into a large‑scale affair, drawing hundreds of entries from across the country. This year the call for applications for the 13th season is open and will run until the end of August. Participation is free and open to any hospitality property.

How a hotel is evaluated

The assessment is built on several independent layers, which makes it more objective than a simple project presentation.

Digital footprint

Experts scan the hotel’s online reputation using data from the TrustYou review platform. That gives a real‑time picture of how guests rate the service.

“Secret guests” and “secret calls”

In the final stage, inspectors arrive at the property disguised as ordinary customers. They test everything—from the first phone call to the checkout. This method uncovers weak spots that often stay hidden.

Professional jury

After all data are collected, an independent panel of industry specialists reviews the information. Jury members are not direct competitors of the applicants, which eliminates conflicts of interest.

Audit verification

The results are cross‑checked by the audit firm DRT, which guarantees correct calculations and a transparent process.

What a hotel gets from taking part

Free audit

Every participant receives an independent assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of their business. On the open market such a service would cost a pretty penny, but within the awards it’s provided at no charge.

Media support

Best‑practice hotels are featured in the awards’ thematic collections and in industry publications. That raises brand awareness and draws new guests.

Access to a professional community

Participants join a network of hoteliers where they can exchange experiences, find partners for cross‑promotions and launch joint projects.

Opportunity to improve service

The recommendations allow quick adjustments in staff work and an uplift in the guest experience—especially valuable during a tough season.

How to submit an application

1. Registration – Visit the official website (hospitalityawards.ru) and fill out the online form.
2. Gather materials – Prepare information on your digital presence, guest reviews and contact details.
3. Send – Submit the application by August 21. After that the awards team will contact you to clarify the details.

What to expect after you apply

Once registered, the hotel enters the database and the first stage begins – analysis of the digital footprint. Depending on those results, “secret guests” may be dispatched or a phone verification may be carried out. When all checks are finished, the jury compiles the final ranking, and the top projects receive awards and media coverage.

Practical tips for participants

• Refresh your online profile: make sure the information about your hotel is up‑to‑date and that reviews reflect the actual service quality.
• Prepare your staff: let employees know about the upcoming checks so they can showcase their best service without unnecessary stress.
• Collect feedback: use the recommendations to plan improvements, not just to chase a trophy.
• Leverage media opportunities: after the results are published, share the news with guests via social media and newsletters – it builds trust.

Why it makes sense to join now

The hotel market is in a transition phase, and every guest counts. A free external audit helps spot problem areas fast, while media support boosts competitiveness without extra spend. Moreover, participation opens doors to a community of professionals where you can find ideas for joint promotions and share know‑how.

Bottom line

The Russian Hospitality Awards is more than a contest; it’s a comprehensive tool for hotel development. Free auditing, public recognition and access to an industry network make the effort worthwhile. If you want to pinpoint where your service needs work and at the same time raise brand visibility, submit your application before the end of August and get ready for a fair, yet useful, evaluation.

Based on materials from: trn-news.ru.