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    5. .hotels

    Search For .hotels Domain

    Type
    Generic top-level domain
    Registry
    Booking.com
    Operator
    Booking.com B.V.
    Launched
    Registration term
    1–10 years
    DNSSEC
    Supported
    IDN
    Supported

    About .hotels domain

    .hotels is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) launched under ICANN's 2012 New gTLD Program. The registry is operated by Booking.com B.V., which secured the exclusive right to operate the extension after winning an ICANN auction in November 2015 with a bid of $2.2 million. The extension became active on September 16, 2016, following a lengthy application process that included community objections, a string similarity dispute with .hoteis, and an Independent Review Process filed against ICANN. Its path to delegation was among the more contested in the New gTLD Program, involving objections from industry coalitions and a GAC Early Warning from the Australian government representative.

    Who can register .hotels domain

    Because .hotels is operated by Booking.com B.V. as a registry, registration eligibility is determined by the registry's own policies. The extension is not a fully open gTLD available to any registrant without qualification — the registry may impose requirements tied to the hospitality sector or to Booking.com's platform relationships. Prospective registrants should check directly with accredited registrars or the registry for current eligibility criteria, as brand TLD operators frequently restrict registrations to verified businesses or affiliated partners.

    How to register .hotels domain

    1. Search for your desired .hotels domain name using a registrar that carries the extension. Because availability in this TLD may be limited by registry eligibility rules, confirm that you meet any sector-based requirements before proceeding.

    2. Compare registrar offerings for .hotels, paying attention to registration fees, renewal pricing, and any included features such as WHOIS privacy or DNS management tools. Pricing for newer gTLDs can vary significantly between registrars.

    3. Complete the checkout process by providing accurate registrant contact information. Ensure that the details you submit match any documentation you may need to provide to satisfy registry eligibility requirements.

    4. After registration, verify your contact details via any confirmation email sent by the registrar, and configure your DNS records to point the domain to your hosting environment. Keep your registrant information up to date, as WHOIS accuracy is a standard ICANN policy requirement.

    Typical uses of .hotels domain

    The .hotels extension is most naturally suited to businesses and professionals operating within the hospitality accommodation sector. Hotels, boutique lodgings, hotel chains, and booking platforms use this TLD to create a domain that immediately signals their core offering to visitors. It works well as a branded web address for a property's direct booking site, a hotel group's portfolio page, or a destination-specific accommodation directory. Registrants choose .hotels over generic alternatives because the extension itself communicates purpose and builds instant category recognition without requiring additional context in the domain name.

    Tips for registering .hotels domain

    • Registration terms and renewal pricing for newer gTLDs like .hotels can differ substantially from introductory rates, so review the renewal cost at your chosen registrar before committing.
    • WHOIS privacy availability depends on both the registrar and registry policy; confirm whether privacy protection is offered and permitted for .hotels before purchase.
    • Some registrars impose a transfer lock period (commonly 60 days) after a new registration, during which you cannot transfer the domain to another registrar — factor this into your timeline if you plan to consolidate domains.
    • Grace periods and redemption periods apply after expiry; redemption typically incurs a significant fee, so set up auto-renewal to avoid accidental lapse.
    • Because .hotels went through a contested delegation process, it is worth confirming current registry policies directly, as eligibility rules or use requirements may have been updated since launch.

    Frequently asked questions about .hotels domain

    Who operates .hotels domain?The registry for .hotels domains is Booking.com, administered by Booking.com B.V..
    Who can register a .hotels domain?

    The .hotels extension is operated by Booking.com B.V., and the registry retains the authority to set eligibility requirements for registrants. Unlike fully open gTLDs, this extension may be restricted to businesses with a verifiable connection to accommodation services. Prospective registrants should contact an accredited registrar carrying .hotels or consult the registry's current policies to confirm whether documentation or affiliation is required before a domain can be activated.

    Can I transfer a .hotels domain between registrars?

    Transferring a .hotels domain between registrars follows the standard ICANN inter-registrar transfer process, which requires an authorization code (also called an EPP or auth code) from the losing registrar. A 60-day transfer lock is commonly applied after a new registration or after certain account changes, so you may need to wait before initiating a transfer. Confirm the lock status and obtain the auth code from your current registrar before beginning the transfer request at the gaining registrar.

    What dispute resolution policies apply to .hotels domains?

    As an ICANN-delegated gTLD, .hotels is subject to the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP), which allows trademark holders to challenge registrations they believe were made in bad faith or infringe on their marks. The Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) system is also available as a faster, lower-cost mechanism for clear-cut cases of trademark abuse. Trademark owners who registered their marks in the ICANN Trademark Clearinghouse may also have had access to Sunrise and Trademark Claims protections during the TLD's launch phases.

    Were there any community objections filed against .hotels during its application process?

    Yes — the application faced formal community objections from both the Hotel Consumer Protection Coalition, representing over 25,000 hotels across more than 100 countries, and HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurants & Cafés in Europe). These groups argued that granting exclusive registry control to a single commercial applicant over a broadly used generic string could harm competition in the sector. Despite these objections, Booking.com ultimately prevailed through the ICANN auction process and secured the right to operate the extension.

    What was the string similarity dispute that affected .hotels?

    In early 2013, ICANN's String Similarity Panel ruled that .hotels and .hoteis were too visually similar to coexist as separate TLDs, placing them in a contention set. Only one of the two could proceed to delegation. Booking.com challenged the panel's methodology through an Independent Review Process, arguing the process was arbitrary, but the IRP Panel ultimately ruled in ICANN's favor in 2015. The matter was resolved when Booking.com won the subsequent ICANN auction in November 2015 with a bid of $2.2 million, securing exclusive rights to .hotels.