.hotel Domain Registration
Why Choose a .hotel Domain?
The .hotel TLD launched in 2017 after a long contention process at ICANN, and it does what it says on the tin — it is built specifically for the accommodation industry. Unlike most new gTLDs, .hotel has historically applied verification checks to confirm that registrants are genuinely operating in the hotel sector, which keeps the namespace credible for travellers searching for somewhere to stay. That makes it a strong signal of authenticity in a market plagued by lookalike booking sites.
Ideal for:
- Independent hotels and boutique guesthouses
- Hotel chains and hospitality groups
- Resorts, spas and country house hotels
- Bed and breakfast operators
- Hotel booking platforms and travel marketplaces
Things to know:
- .hotel has applied eligibility verification in the past — registrants may need to demonstrate a connection to the hotel or hospitality industry. Check current registry policy before assuming an unrestricted registration.
- Some shorter or city-name domains are designated premium and carry higher registry fees.
- The TLD was created specifically to counter typosquatting and phishing aimed at travellers, so registry policies tend to be stricter than generic extensions.
Creative .hotel Domain Ideas
- Harbour.hotel — a seafront boutique property
- Mountainview.hotel — an alpine retreat or ski lodge
- TheGrand.hotel — a heritage city-centre property
- Book.hotel — a reservations platform or aggregator
- Cotswold.hotel — a regional country house operator
- Sleep.hotel — a budget pod or capsule chain
Frequently asked questions about .hotel
The .hotel registry has historically required registrants to be associated with the hotel or hospitality industry, with verification of business credentials. Policies have evolved over time, so eligibility checks may apply at the point of registration. If you operate or represent a hotel, guesthouse or related accommodation business, you should be in a strong position to qualify.
You can register a .hotel domain for between one and ten years in single-year increments. Many hoteliers choose multi-year registrations to lock in their booking address and avoid the risk of accidentally letting it lapse during a busy season, which is particularly important for properties relying on direct online reservations.
Yes. If you already own a .hotel registered elsewhere, you can transfer it across as long as it is older than 60 days, unlocked at your current registrar, and you have the EPP authorisation code. The transfer typically extends your registration by one additional year on top of the time remaining.
After expiry there is a renewal grace period of around 30 days during which you can renew at the standard price. After that the domain enters a redemption period with a recovery fee, and finally drops back to the registry. Given the verification involved in .hotel, losing a domain and reclaiming it can be especially painful — set auto-renew.
They serve different purposes. A .com is universally recognised, while .hotel signals immediately that you are an accommodation provider rather than a third-party booking site. Many properties register both and point them to the same website, using .hotel for marketing materials and direct-booking campaigns where the industry-specific extension reinforces trust.