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Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

MakeMyTrip India's Favourite Homestays Awards (IFHA) are a people’s choice award brought to you in association with The Times of India to recognize the best in the homestays category.
All homestays in India are eligible to participate, provided they meet the nomination criteria outlined in the Terms & Conditions on the official awards website.

Nomination Process

The nomination period for the awards is from 2nd December, 2025 to 21st December, 2025. Ensure you submit your nomination within this timeframe.
  • Candidate can apply for the Awards by completing the application form online
  • Link to fill the application form will be available on the website https://homestaysawards.makemytrip.com/
  • To apply for the Awards Candidate should first go through the Terms and Conditions then select the segment and category pertaining to the segment and submit the application pertaining to the same.
    • Below is the list of all the award categories:

    Stay of the Year Categories
    • India's Favourite Villa
    • India's Favourite Farmhouse
    • India's Favourite Luxury Property
    • India's Favourite Service Apartment
    • India's Favourite Romantic Escape
    • India's Favourite Homestay with Unique Structure
    • India's Favourite Hostel
    • India's Favourite Pet friendly Homestay
    Traveller's Choice Host Categories
    • Independent Host
    • Brand
    • Emerging Host
    Traveller's Choice - Regional Homestays
    • North: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh
    • East: West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh
    • South: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry (Pondicherry), Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
    • West: Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
    • Goa
    General Eligibility Criteria applicable across all categories:
    • Property must be in operation for at least six months as on November 30, 2025 except for the category 'Traveller's Choice - Emerging Host' where the property must be in operations for at least three months as on November 30, 2025
    • Property should have been listed on MakeMyTrip while applying for the Awards
    • Property should be registered and located within India as on November 30, 2025
    • Participant applying in the Traveller's Choice - Independent Host must be above 18 years of age as on November 30, 2025
    • Apart from the General Eligibility Criteria, the participant must also meet the Category-specific Eligibility Criteria outlined below:
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    Application must be submitted in English Language only.
    Participant can apply with one property in a maximum of two categories, provided the case study factors differ for each category selected.
    Your application Form will first be reviewed for completeness, eligibility and adherence to the application guidelines, including character limit. Incomplete and ineligible applications will be declined without further review. Applications that meet eligibility criteria will be further considered for the jury rounds.
    There is no application fee associated with the Awards
    Once the application form is submitted you will not be allowed to make changes to your application. Hence, please review the information provided in the application form before submitting.
    No, there is no fee to nominate your homestay for India’s Favourite Homestays Awards.
    Yes, if you own or manage multiple homestays, you can nominate each one separately.
    You will need to provide the basic details of your homestay, including its name and location, along with any optional social media links (Instagram). In addition, highlight the unique services or thoughtful practices you offer as a host that enhance guest comfort and create memorable experiences—for example, multilingual communication, customizable room décor, or curated cultural activities.

    Judging Criteria

    The evaluation criteria will include the quality of service, guest reviews, uniqueness of the homestay experience, facilities, and overall guest satisfaction.
    The entries received for the awards are evaluated by a panel of experts in the travel and hospitality industry, along with public voting.

    Voting and Results

    Once the nominations are closed, public voting will commence on the top shortlisted entries. Guests and travelers can vote for their favorite homestays on the official website.
    The winners will be announced at a gala event on March 12th, 2026 and will be notified via email. The results will also be published on our website and social media channels.

    Benefits of Winning

    Winners receive a trophy and certificate of excellence, along with significant publicity on our platform and other media channels. This recognition can enhance the visibility and reputation of the homestay.
    Winning an award can attract more guests, increase bookings, and boost your homestay’s reputation as a top travel destination.

    Additional Support

    For any queries or assistance, please contact our support team on info@mmthomestaysawards.com; mmtifha@timesgroup.com You can also find more details on our Contact Us page.