This article attempts to clearly define the requirements a hotel must meet to be Sharia-compliant, and the differences between this concept and that of ‘dry’ hotels. By Paul Rosenberg and Hala Matar Choufany. Paul Rosenberg is a Market Intelligence Analyst with the HVS Dubai office, specialising in hotel valuation and consultancy. Hala Matar Choufany is the Managing Director of HVS Dubai and is responsible for the firm's valuation and consulting work in the Middle East and North Africa.