Every hotel operating in Saudi Arabia must be classified by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Heritage (SCTH) before it can receive an operating licence. Classification determines the hotel's star rating — from 1 to 5 stars — and sets the minimum standards the property must meet for room quality, facilities, services, safety, and accessibility.

For developers and contractors, understanding SCTH classification requirements is essential from design stage. Building a hotel that fails to achieve its target classification at inspection results in costly redesign, renovation, or a reduced operating licence that undermines the project's financial model.

Why SCTH Classification Matters for Developers

The SCTH star rating directly determines:

Room rate positioning: A 4-star classification allows the operator to price at 4-star rates. A property that targets 5-star pricing but receives 4-star classification will underperform its financial model.
Operator eligibility: International hotel management companies specify minimum classification requirements. A Marriott or Hilton flag requires SCTH classification at the equivalent of their brand standard.
Tourism zone licensing: Some Vision 2030 tourism destinations (NEOM, Red Sea, Diriyah) have minimum classification requirements for properties within their zones.
Finance and investment: Hotel valuations and loan underwriting reference SCTH classification. A lower-than-expected classification reduces asset value.

The SCTH Classification Framework

SCTH hotel classification is governed by the Hotel Classification Standards issued under the Tourism Law. The framework covers six facility types: hotels, hotel apartments, resorts, motels, rest houses, and chalets. This guide focuses on hotels (the most common category for new development in Riyadh).

Classification is assessed across five domains:

Physical standards (building, rooms, facilities)
Services and operations
Safety and security
Accessibility
Environmental and sustainability measures

Room Size Requirements by Star Rating

Star Rating	Minimum Standard Room Size	Minimum Bathroom Size	Minimum Ceiling Height
1-star	16 sqm (excluding bathroom)	4 sqm	2.4 m
2-star	18 sqm (excluding bathroom)	4.5 sqm	2.4 m
3-star	22 sqm (excluding bathroom)	5 sqm	2.5 m
4-star	28 sqm (excluding bathroom)	6 sqm	2.6 m
5-star	36 sqm (excluding bathroom)	7 sqm	2.7 m

All guest rooms at every star level must have: natural daylight from an external window, mechanical ventilation or HVAC, individual temperature control, and direct access to a private en-suite bathroom. Rooms without natural light cannot be classified at any star level.

Required Facilities by Star Rating

3-Star Requirements (All 1–2 Star Plus)

All-day food service (breakfast plus at least one other meal period)
Dedicated meeting or business facilities (minimum 1 meeting room)
Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas
Mini-refrigerator in every guest room
Room service (minimum hours)
Fitness facilities (basic gym or fitness room)
Currency exchange or ATM on-site
Concierge service
Multiple language capability at front desk

Finish and Quality Standards

SCTH classification assesses physical finish quality as well as room and facility count. Inspectors evaluate:

Element	3-Star Standard	4-Star Standard	5-Star Standard
Guest room flooring	Good quality carpet or LVT	High-quality carpet or engineered wood	Premium carpet, stone, or hardwood
Bathroom floor	Ceramic or porcelain tile	Porcelain tile or natural stone	Marble or premium stone throughout
Bathroom sanitaryware	Standard grade	Semi-premium brand	Premium European brand
Joinery and wardrobes	Laminate or melamine	Lacquered or veneered	Bespoke veneered or solid timber
Lobby flooring	Porcelain tile or carpet	Stone or premium tile	Marble or premium imported stone
Corridor specification	Standard carpet and paint	Quality carpet with cove detail	Premium carpet, feature lighting, artwork

Inspectors also assess maintenance condition. A hotel with premium finishes that are poorly maintained or showing significant wear will not achieve or retain its target classification. Preventive maintenance and a 5–7 year refurbishment cycle are implicit requirements of maintaining any star rating above 2-star.

Safety and Security Requirements

All classified hotels must comply with Saudi Civil Defence requirements as a precondition for SCTH classification. Key requirements include:

Automatic fire detection system covering all areas (including roof, basement, and back-of-house)
Automatic sprinkler system in all public areas and guest rooms (required from 3-star upwards; recommended at 1–2 star)
Emergency lighting on all evacuation routes
Fire exits with clearly marked routes to assembly point
CCTV coverage of public areas, entrance, and car park
Electronic access control to guest room corridors (from 3-star upwards)
24-hour security staffing (from 4-star upwards)

Civil Defence clearance must be obtained before the SCTH inspection. A hotel that has not received Civil Defence approval will not be classified at any star level. See our hotel construction permits guide for the full Civil Defence approval process.

Accessibility Requirements

All classified hotels must provide accessible facilities in compliance with Saudi Building Code accessibility requirements:

Accessible entrance and drop-off area
Accessible rooms: minimum 2% of total rooms at 3-star; minimum 4% at 4-star and 5-star
Accessible bathrooms with grab rails, roll-in shower capability, and appropriate fixture heights
Accessible path from car park to lobby, reception, restaurant, and accessible rooms without steps
Lift access to all occupied floors

The SCTH Classification Process

The classification process follows these steps for a new hotel or a hotel applying for reclassification:

Pre-design consultation: Contact SCTH to confirm classification criteria for your intended star rating before finalising the design. This is optional but strongly recommended — it avoids designing to incorrect standards.
Pre-opening application: Submit a classification application to SCTH approximately 3–4 months before the anticipated opening date. Include: architectural drawings, room schedule (room count, types, sizes), facility schedule, and operating plan.
Document review: SCTH reviews submitted documents against classification criteria. Any shortfalls are identified and must be rectified before the physical inspection.
Physical inspection: SCTH inspectors visit the completed hotel and conduct a scoring assessment across all classification domains. Inspectors check room dimensions (physically measured, not just as-drawn), facility count, finish quality, safety systems, and staffing.
Classification certificate: If the hotel meets the criteria for its target star rating, SCTH issues a classification certificate. This certificate is required to obtain the hotel operating licence from the relevant municipality.
Annual renewal: Classification is subject to annual review. Hotels that fall below the required standard in maintenance, staffing, or facility availability may be downgraded.

Common Classification Failures and How to Avoid Them

Room sizes below minimum: As-built rooms measure below the classified minimum, typically because corridor widths were increased during construction to resolve fire exit conflicts. Design with a 150 mm margin above SCTH minimums to absorb construction tolerances.
Missing mandatory facilities: A required facility (pool, fitness room, meeting room) is omitted or deferred. SCTH will not classify at the target star until all required facilities are operational.
Civil Defence clearance delayed: Sprinkler or detection system deficiencies result in a delayed Civil Defence certificate, pushing back the SCTH inspection and opening date.
Finish quality below expectation: Contractors deliver finishes that technically comply with specification but fall below the quality standard inspectors expect. This is most common when the construction contract has been value-engineered without the developer's informed agreement.

Implications for Hotel Design and Construction

Understanding SCTH requirements from design stage allows the contractor and design team to build confidence that the target classification will be achieved at inspection. Dar Anan's hotel construction team is experienced in delivering to SCTH classification standards across all star ratings.

Key design disciplines that directly affect classification outcomes:

Hotel fit-out requirements — finish standards by area and star rating
Hotel MEP requirements — system requirements that affect safety classification
Hotel construction cost by star rating — budgeting to deliver the required standard

To discuss your hotel development and how to design to SCTH classification requirements from day one, contact Dar Anan.

SCTH Hotel Classification Requirements Saudi Arabia: 1-Star to 5-Star Criteria