Pet owners have increasingly high standards when travelling with their four-legged companions. As a result, establishments throughout the UK have become ever more dog-friendly, to keep up with demand, and ensure that guests and their pets receive an exceptional level of service that sees them return in the future.
Hotels are going all in these days to offer a comprehensive range of both suites and services with the sole purpose of accommodating canine companions. From complimentary dog beds and custom mini bars filled with tasty treats to bespoke concierge services and restaurant dining that are aimed at including man’s best friend, dogs are very much on the receiving end of near equal treatment to their human masters. The following entries rank among the best dog friendly hotels in the UK, ideal for pets and their owners looking for a fantastic getaway.
The Egerton House Hotel, London
An excellent boutique hotel amongst the glitzy streets of Knightsbridge, Egerton House welcomes guests and their four-legged companions with the kind of five-star treatment that the area is famously known for. The open green space of Hyde Park is just around the corner, perfect for walks with or without the assistance of Egerton’s fantastic concierge, who offer dog-walking and grooming services for guests and their pets staying at the hotel. The Egerton has exquisite period furnishings, with beautiful chandeliers, a champagne bar, and an array of impressive bedrooms and suites, including the V & A suite, with a private terrace garden that’s ideal for pets.
The Egerton’s exclusive Afternoon Tea package for dogs is served in the hotel’s fabulous Dining Room. The service includes a selection of treats, including chicken and beef meatloaf, homemade dog biscuits, and a carrot cupcake, with the option of a novel “dogtini” non-alcoholic aperitif for an added layer of refinement. Gourmet meals are available as part of room service prepared by the hotel kitchen, whilst as a fun extra, guests can choose to have their dog recreated with a splendid “pawtrait”, by a local artist.
Fish Hotel, Worcestershire
Perched on the borders of the Cotswolds Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty, this fantastic property goes all in, offering canine companions a stay that’s tailored especially for them. Private cabins with fenced-off enclosures, underfloor heating, and custom doggie mini bars, in addition to an on-site agility circuit, ensures visitors to the Fish Hotel know their pets are going to have the time of their life.
Whilst some visitors may want to think twice about staying in one of the private treehouses for the sake of their four-legged companion's comfort, The Fish offers a wonderful countryside retreat for both parties. With outdoor firepits, a Scandinavian-style restaurant for dining al fresco, and plenty of woodland walks and country trails to spend hours roaming with pets in tow, this is an ideal country escape for both dogs and their owners.
The Bushmills Inn, Northern Ireland
Just slightly inland from County Antrim’s stunning coastline, travelling dog owners will find the town of Bushmills, a locale of notable acclaim thanks to its signature whiskey that has been distilled locally for the last three hundred years. The town’s boutique hotel is a converted 17th-century coach house and an ideal stopping point for visitors looking to explore more of this beautiful part of Northern Ireland and bringing their furry companions along for the adventure.
Rooms for dog owners come with private courtyard entrances, complimentary dog bowls, beds, biscuits, and blankets, to make sure pets feel right at home amongst the cosy period bedrooms. Dogs are welcome throughout the hotel in numerous areas, including the bar, where owners can enjoy a taste of the local whiskey after the end of a long day's walk. It's a warm and cosy property, with roaring open fire places and a charming library to borrow a book from and curl up with alongside man’s best friend.
The Fife Arms, Scotland
Dogs and their owners will quickly become enarmoured with this wonderful property located in the Cairngorms National Park. A former coach house that is part boutique hotel, part private art gallery (with pieces on display by Picasso and Lucien Freud), The Fife Arms offers a warm and welcome respite in the middle of the Scottish highlands for weary dog owners and their pets exploring the beautiful surroundings.
The hotel offers creature comforts from plush, custom-made bedding and bowls, tasty treats, and a turn-down gift after the room has been serviced each day. Dogs are welcome throughout the extensive grounds and in the dog-friendly pub on site. Guests wishing to enjoy the Michelin-guide dining establishment, whiskey-tasting bar, and spa, may wish to leave their pets in the more than capable hands of the concierge to ensure their four-legged friends are kept company.
The Scarlett, Cornwall
Cornwall’s rugged coastline is a fantastic destination for dog owners. The South West Coastal Path offers walkers the chance to explore the majestic cliffs, secluded beaches, and charming seaside towns of the county. The Scarlett is an ideal location to stop off along the way or, retreat to this wonderful part of the South of England for a welcome break, with a prized pet in tow. This beachside retreat boasts cliffside hot tubs to relax in with views of the Atlantic Ocean, a fabulous Ayurvedic spa to rejuvenate, and an environmentally conscious restaurant at the property that serves organic dishes with locally sourced ingredients.
Pets can look forward to enjoying some of the perks of their owners, with a curated menu that's built around their dietary requirements, eco lodges to stay in with enclosed gardens for them to relax in. The lodges come with beach access, allowing dogs to race across the sands and frolic in the sea, enjoying all the benefits of this seaside retreat.
Another Place, Cumbria
Ullswater is the second-largest lake in England – right in the heart of the Lake District – and one of the country’s most beautiful landscapes. A perfect destination for climbers, hikers, and watersports enthusiasts throughout the year, for pet owners looking to partake with their trusted companions, they need only find Another Place to stay. Set in a converted Georgian Manor, this wonderful boutique hotel is the ideal accommodation, boasting lakeside rooms and suites that are ideal for dogs that love to enjoy the water.
The hotel hosts a lakeside infinity pool with magnificent views of the surrounding waters and fells. Horse-box suits are available for guests to stay in, along with access to lakeside spa and sauna areas and treatment rooms. Pets will love the dog friendly lounge and the stunning greenhouse restaurant as well as making the most of the area's many walking trails. Guests and visitors can also hire paddleboards and kayaks to explore Ullswater during a fantastic pet-friendly getaway.
