Pampering our four-legged guests

It’s never been unusual to find the likes of well-behaved spaniels and retrievers enjoying a break at country house hotels or in lodges designed to accommodate dogs with spacious grounds for them to run around in. But now even some city hotels are admitting pets, not just ‘handbag dogs’, but larger canines and even cats. And at the luxury end of the market these guests can enjoy some amazing treats.

One of the reasons for this is that hotels which might be busy during the week but much quieter at weekends are actively pursuing a growing market – the people who will only make a booking if their pets can also be included on the guest list. It was the subject of a recent Matt Talks, a regular podcast hosted by Matt Welle, CEO of Mews, a platform powering over 12,500 customers which provides Mews Hospitality Cloud, designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers.

Welle spoke with Dean Culpan, GM of London’s South Place Hotel, about a strategy that’s boosting weekend occupancy and reshaping guest loyalty: embracing dog-friendly luxury at the boutique property. From personalised greeting cards to in-room amenities, South Place is extending the luxury experience to four-legged companions.

Culpan, a lifelong dog lover who also has a cat, knew business hotels in the City of London often struggled with weekend occupancy. “One of my first strategies was, why aren’t we dog friendly?” he told Welle. South Place has created a complete ecosystem for dog owners. Rooms designed for pets include plush beds, high-quality bowls and launderable rugs. Menus for dogs, including seasonal dishes and even pup-friendly ‘martinis’, elevate the experience further. Some repeat guests, like Winston the bulldog – have their own dedicated room set-ups, which builds loyalty. Winston’s owner says he wants the same bed every time, and no other dog can use it, Dean shares.

This fascinating podcast also looks at training staff and curating the guest journey. Housekeeping teams learn how to interact calmly with dogs, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Even the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant accommodates pets under strict guidelines. At weekends they went from having no dogs to around three to five rooms with dogs. Referrals from satisfied guests further amplify this effect, creating a natural word-of-mouth loop that continues to grow.

Guests who travel with pets are also more likely to spend on in-hotel dining, room service and leisure experiences. South Place even arranges local guides for dog-friendly walks and activities in London, ensuring the experience extends beyond the hotel. Culpan tells Mews: “A lot more of our clients are going to bring their pets with them rather than children. Hotels that anticipate and adapt to these changes are positioned to capture loyalty and grow revenue in an increasingly competitive environment.”

Another hotel offering city breaks with dogs in tow is Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, owned by the University of Birmingham. On arrival, dogs are invited to enjoy a popular ‘doggy pit stop’ at reception, complete with fresh water and complimentary treats. They welcome up to two dogs per room at no extra cost, and the dog-friendly rooms are conveniently located on the ground floor to provide easy outdoor access. Guests can also upgrade to a Canine Comfort Package for £30, which includes a cosy dog bed, bowl, toys, treats, and waste bags, while dog treats and chews can also be purchased from the hotel bar area.

Guests can enjoy peaceful strolls surrounded by historic architecture and green spaces at the university campus which is also close to walking routes and parks, giving pets plenty of opportunities to explore.

For the housekeeping team, offering a pet-friendly service means preparing rooms with thoughtful attention to comfort, practicality, and cleanliness. Commercial director Billy Harris-Wright, whose own Cavapoo Otis is a regular guest, says: ‘It’s not unusual for our team to be greeted with enthusiastic wagging tails, and many pets seem to guide their owners back for future stays, thanks to the relaxing surroundings and great walks nearby.

“Whatever the occasion for your stay, it’s the small moments – a dog settling into its bed, a proud owner sharing a photo, or the tap of paws heading out for a walk – that remind us why being pet-friendly is so rewarding.”

The team at Horsted Place Hotel in East Sussex recognised the challenges faced by dog owners when travelling and has become a welcoming destination for both guests and their four-legged companions, using thoughtful planning and operational excellence to meet the expectations of modern guests.

The hotel has invested in practical yet considered amenities designed to enhance the canine guest experience. These include large, soft, odour-absorbing floor mats, dog beds, food and water bowls with protective mats, as well as waste bags. Additional items such as dedicated blankets and towels are provided to support cleanliness, particularly after walks through the hotel’s historic park. During the festive season, dogs also receive specially selected snacks, while crates in various sizes are available upon request.

The housekeeping department has undergone specialised training to manage rooms occupied by dogs during stays and following check-out, ensuring hygiene and consistency without disruption to wider hotel operations. Anna Frankowska, housekeeping manager, notes that the dog-friendly policy has been implemented with minimal operational challenges: “We have not experienced any significant issues related to guests staying with dogs. There was one minor incident, which was resolved quickly and professionally by our team.”

To date, Horsted Place Hotel has welcomed guests travelling with dogs only. While enquiries regarding cats have been received, no feline stays have yet occurred. The hotel remains open to reviewing its pet policy should demand extend to other animals in the future. Cats, of course, can be tricky and complicated animals. While many would be horrified to find themselves in a strange place, there are some individuals and particular breeds that enjoy travelling around with humans, even going out for a walk on a lead.

There are hotels at the forefront of welcoming cats, including Royal Lancaster London at Hyde Park. It’s a wonderful spot for felines who like to spend time watching the world go by from perches on window sills with its panoramic views of the London skyline, and they too can enjoy the 5-star treatment. At The Lanesborough Hotel in central London, there’s even a resident cat which has become a celebrity in her own right, Lilibet, a Siberian Forest has been delighting guests at the Lanesborough for the past six years.

It’s not just the luxury end of our market that is embracing this trend. Some chains, such as Best Western, are also putting out the ‘pets welcome’ signs at selected properties. As more hotels welcome pets, housekeeping teams are increasingly looking for products that balance practicality with a calm and well-presented room environment. At Bath Country Pets, owned by Emma and Neil Edward, they also have their own exclusive boutique dog hotel. This means everything sold is first tried and tested in real conditions to ensure each item genuinely supports both comfort and efficient housekeeping.

A good place to begin is with a well-made pet bed featuring a removable cover. Bath Country Pets’ Classic Heritage Bed, used throughout their hotel, was designed with high turnover and hygiene in mind. The structured inner cushion retains its shape and the removable outer cover can be changed quickly between guests. Additional covers can be rotated to extend the life of the bed and maintain consistently high presentation standards. All covers are fully washable and available in traditional tweeds and contemporary herringbones, allowing hotels to choose styles that complement their interior scheme and spare covers are available individually.

Adding a washable blanket on top of the bed provides an extra layer of protection while enhancing comfort. A fresh blanket alone can often reset a room quickly and efficiently.

For a warm welcome, filled treat jars or natural chews offer a simple but thoughtful touch. They are easy to store, easy to replenish and immediately signal a genuinely pet friendly approach. Bath Country Pets recommend including a small enrichment bundle to help keep canine guests settled and engaged, which supports a calmer and cleaner room environment. Durable textiles, naturally sourced materials and well-considered accessories make life easier for housekeeping teams and transform a standard pet-friendly room into a memorable and return worthy experience for guests and their dogs. With the guest experience extending beyond luxury linens and fine dining to wagging tails and muddy paws, Doghouse’s Woof Box, curated welcome packs designed to help hotels offer a truly memorable stay for canine guests and their owners. Each Woof Box contains a handpicked selection of high-quality treats, luxury carton of UK made dog food, a tennis ball (made by the same manufacturer as Wimbledon) and a roll of compostable poop bags, all presented in elegant, eco-conscious packaging that complements any luxury interior. Developed by Doghouse, an independent British pet lifestyle brand, these boxes are already delighting guests in some of the UK’s most prestigious dog-friendly hotels and boutique retreats.

For housekeeping and front-of-house teams, Woof Boxes are a simple, ready-to-use solution that enhances guest satisfaction without adding operational complexity. Alongside Woof Boxes, Doghouse also supplies bespoke embroidered dog blankets and beds, available with hotel logos or colour-matched trims. These can be placed in rooms or communal areas to create a polished, coordinated look while offering comfort and practicality for visiting pets. Founder Ruth Warren explains: “Dog owners now expect the same high standard of care for their pets as for themselves. Our Woof Boxes help hotels deliver that effortlessly, while reinforcing their reputation for thoughtful hospitality.”

At Hotel Supplies Ltd their premium collection of pet-friendly hotel products has been created for hotels, guest houses, serviced apartments, holiday lets and even pubs and bar areas.

Choices includes everything needed to create a genuinely pet-welcoming environment. Housekeeping and front-of-house teams can offer gourmet dog treats, ready-made dog meals, dog drinks, welcome packs for dogs, hotel dog bowls and a pet-safe rope toy. All products are hospitality-grade, making them ideal for in-room use, turndown service, or inclusion in a dog welcome pack.

A standout favourite is the Sir Woofchester’s range of luxury dog treats and meals. Presented in compostable, easy-to-serve pots, these products add charm and personality to the pet-friendly offering. From ‘Wooferoni’ sausage sticks to dog-friendly drinks such as the ‘Paw Star Martini’, they are perfectly suited to guest rooms as well as pubs and bar areas – allowing canine guests to enjoy their very own ‘doggy menu’. Hotel Supplies can also provide hotel-grade dog water bowls suitable for use throughout the property.

My Posh Paws is a brand renowned for over a decade in creating bespoke gifts for dogs and hoteliers, specialising in crafting high-quality dog blankets, throws and towels, available in a variety of colours and sizes, which can be embroidered with the hotel logo or name. These luxurious items not only provide comfort for canine guests but also serve as a lasting reminder of their enjoyable stay, encouraging repeat visits.

Located in the charming village of Chirbury, Vale of Montgomery, My Posh Paws takes pride in producing all blankets with love and meticulous attention to detail. Their commitment to quality extends beyond blankets and towels, offering essential items such as custom logo dog bowls and treat jars that add a personal touch to a hotel’s amenities.

PetsPyjamas works with many dog-friendly hotels across the UK and believes simple touches can go a long way. A proper dog bed protects furniture and helps keep fur contained. Washable throws and feeding mats reduce mess around the room. A small supply of poop bags encourages good behaviour on site. Dog-friendly wipes and towels help owners to clean muddy paws before they reach the carpet.

Clear guidance in the room also helps. Hooks for leads by the door, a spot for bowls, or a reminder about where to walk can all keep things tidy and stress-free. These details show care and make guests more likely to return. PetsPyjamas listen closely to housekeeping teams when recommending products. Everything must be easy to clean, durable and able to fit neatly into existing room standards. It should look good too, practicality doesn’t need to spoil the hotel’s style.