Put your paws up at these pooch-perfect UK luxury hotels where well-behaved, waggy tails are more than welcome
It’s no secret that the SLH Marketing Team are barking mad for our four-legged friends, and we can thank our daily ‘walkies’ for keeping us somewhat sane over the last year or so of lockdown. We’re always on the look out for the very best dog-friendly places to stay, and we don’t just mean ‘dogs allowed’ – think dedicated dog room service menus, glasses of paw-secco on arrival, and personalised bedding, bowls, treats and toys. So, in celebration of International Dog Day today, we’re sharing our top 10 UK boutique hotels which not only welcome dogs, but spoil them rotten. This list is not to be sniffed at…
The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court – England
Your canine companions can expect the royal treatment at The Mitre Hotel, an eclectically styled riverside retreat just a stick’s throw from historic Hampton Court. Well-behaved dogs are made to feel at home with a welcome pack of treats in nine dog-friendly rooms on the ground floor of the hotel, which have direct access to an outdoor terrace. Work up an appetite with walkies galore in nearby Bushy Park and The River Path, before sitting down for breakfast, lunch or dinner with your dog at Coppernose, the hotel’s stylish all-day café and wine bar.
Paws for thought: There is a £20 per night charge per dog, and a maximum of two dogs per room. Dogs cannot be left in the room unattended, and are not allowed to dine in 1665 Brasserie. Dogs must be kept on leads during deer birthing (May to July) and rutting (September to October) seasons in Bushy Park.
The Farncombe Estate, Cotswolds – England
An eclectic village-style assortment of houses, huts and hideaways set within the picturesque grounds of the Farncombe Estate, The Fish Hotel barks up all the right trees (and treehouses). Welcoming medium sized, well-behaved pooches to their cosy selection of dog-friendly rooms, which are located on the hillside and spread throughout various individual buildings in the grounds. Be sure to book one of the Medium Rooms, Veranda Rooms, Small Suites, and Big Suites if you’re planning to bring your pup along, or one of the magical treetop cabin-style suites complete with underfloor heating, wrap-around decking with heated tubs, and woodland views. These rooms have wooden floors and easy access to your car along with 400 acres of Cotswold countryside on your doorstep for those all-important dog walks.
Every doggy desire has been catered for throughout the estate, including dog hydration stations, a ‘dunk your dog’ bath tub (with canine shampoo and conditioner), a dedicated dog agility course, and doggy afternoon tea – luxury tit-bits from the likes of Woof & Brew and The Barking Bakery feature on the menu. An easy ramble from The Fish is the honey-hued Dormy House, which also welcomes dogs in their Danish Court rooms, including Rose Cottage, Courtyard Suites, and Comfy Rooms, all a short walk from the main farmhouse.
Paws for thought: A charge of £30 per dog per stay applies and includes a cosy dog bed in the room, two dog bowls, some lovely doggie treats, and a dog towel. You are welcome to relax in the bar and lounge with your pooch and you can dine from the bar menu, but note that dogs should not be taken into the main restaurant at The Fish. Dogs are welcome to dine with their owners in The Potting Shed at Dormy House.
The Roseate Edinburgh, Edinburgh – Scotland
Catering to road trippers and staycationers eager to travel with their four-legged friends in tow, The Roseate Edinburgh offers a dog-friendly package in selected rooms at Hampton House, the second of two sumptuously furnished Victorian townhouses in striking distance of Edinburgh’s Old Town. This includes an in-room doggy bed, bowl and treats, along with a glass of paw-secco on arrival. Your canine companion can dine with you in the Hampton conservatory, a beautifully styled space with cosy throws and blankets, in addition to the garden seating in front of Dunstane House. Edinburgh itself is brimming with green spaces and dog-friendly cafés, from Princes Street Gardens to Arthur’s Seat and along the Water of Leith.
Paws for thought: Only a designated few of Hampton House’s Cosy Wee Doubles and Luxury Kings allow dogs, so be sure to book well in advance to avoid disappointment. There is a £30 supplement for dogs per night, and dogs must not be left alone in the room.
Grove of Narberth, Pembrokeshire – Wales
Posh pooches staying at the Grove of Narberth, a wonderfully rustic retreat which started life as a traditional Welsh longhouse, will be greeted by the hotel’s Labradoodle Bronwen (pictured above), who is very friendly and enthusiastic about visiting dogs and their owners. Welcoming touches include upcycled doggy towels, blanket and very special doggy treats, while a doggy dining menu by Burns Real Dog Food is also available upon request. Perfectly positioned on a hillside overlooking rolling Pembrokeshire countryside, there are plenty of scenic countryside walks on your doorstep – not to mention within the Grove’s beautifully kept 26 acre estate.
Choose from six dog-friendly rooms with interiors curated by Martin Hulbert Design, including the Sorrel or Sage Garden Suites (pictured above), Byre, Cwtch, Elderflower or Bramble.
Homewood, Bath – England
Pictured right: @goldendoodle_guinness enjoying a Homewood holiday.
Each and every one of the countrified rooms at Homewood is dog-friendly, with an ‘access-all-areas’ approach to hosting well-behaved furry friends. Bedrooms feature velvet sofas, cashmere mattresses and thoughtful touches like Dyson hairdryers and homemade biscuits (for you, not your pooch), while a specially prepared Woof Box awaits your companion, filled with Lily’s Kitchen food, treats and a ball – comfy dog beds and bowls are also provided, all for just an extra £25. Dogs are welcome to dine with you in the Mediterranean-inspired Olio Restaurant, and there is even a dedicated doggy menu – expect dairy-free ‘puppucino’, farm-fresh veggie bakes, and chicken liver treats washed down with a glass of ‘cham-paws.’
If your pet is in need of a pamper while you’re relaxing in the spa, the Homewood canine concierge can even organise an appointment at nearby groomers, Dog House. Outdoors, there are walkies galore in the 20 acres of charming hotel grounds, and the rolling hills of Somerset as your backdrop.
Crossbasket Castle, High Blantyre – Scotland
Steeped in history, Crossbasket Castle is a landmark Scottish retreat. Michelin-star chef Albert Roux has created a special menu for man’s best friend, featuring a a selection of salmon, mackerel, spinach and brown rice risotto, turkey and sweet potato stew and meatloaf with chicken jelly. Each item on the ‘dog’s dinner’ costs £10.50 and is available to order via room service, so you can treat yourself to a cosy night in. If you need to walk off all the night’s indulgence, the castle grounds include a large woodland area, extensive nature walks and a beautiful stretch of river with majestic waterfalls.
Great Fosters, Surrey – England
Surrounded by 50 acres of stunningly landscaped gardens, England’s green and pleasant scenery greets you from the moment you arrive at Great Fosters. Small and medium dogs will be treated to a comfy bed and stylish bowls to dine from along with delicious treats from The Dog House. Sure to delight cultural dogs with a keen interest in history and a penchant for luxury, the indulgent dog-friendly rooms at Great Fosters are mainly set in the Cloisters and the Coach House, and come furnished with stylish fittings, wooden floors and easy access to the great outdoors.
From picturesque summer picnics to crisp winter walks (Barbour wellies are available on request) around the Great Fosters estate, you can fill your stay with as much – or as little – activity as you like. And when it’s time to cosy up with a cocktail in the evening, there are dedicated dog-friendly zones on the ground floor of the Main House.
Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, East Sussex – England
A listed 19th-century mansion set in 186 acres of landscaped parkland, Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club puts the natural beauty of Ashdown Forest at your feet. Book one of the dog-friendly Fairway Junior Suites, with French doors that open directly out onto the parkland, complete with a private terrace and outdoor furniture. Four-legged guests at Ashdown Park can expect the royal treatment, with their own dog basket, blanket and bowls provided along with dinner and a goodie bag from Arden Grange, a family-run business that has been developing superior, premium food for animals since 1996. Be sure to ask the concierge for a map of nearby dog walking trails, along with their recommendations for dog-friendly pubs in the area.
Paws for thought: A supplementary charge of £30 per dog, per room, will be charged in addition to the room rates. Dogs are regrettably not permitted in the Main House.
The Nare, Cornwall – England
Flanked by colourful gardens and overlooking the gentle waves of Gerrans Bay, The Nare has all the exclusivity of a dog-friendly private island. The Nare’s beachside position puts Cornwall’s captivating coast at your feet, and with the newly-kitted out country house boot room courtesy of partners The Original Muckboot Company, guests can borrow a pair of comfortable wellies for strolls along the sandy beach or coastal footpaths. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in all the rooms and gardens at The Nare, with dinner from the dogs’ table d’hôte menu included in the daily dog charge.
Paws for thought: As with all guests at The Nare those with special dietary requirements and desires are well looked after. The dogs’ à la carte menu has a wider choice. Outdoorsy types and working dogs that don’t need to come into the hotel may prefer instead to stay in the working dogs’ kennels on self-catering terms, for which there is no charge.
We have plenty more paw-fect places to choose from, just look out for our pet-friendly icon under the key features of our hotel pages or search all 150+ of our dog-friendly pages here.