Hotels with insane pet perks
Home-baked snacks on arrival, monogrammed accessories and a personalised in-room menu.
No, not for you, silly – for your pet!
Many of us would prefer to bring our furry (or feathered, or scaly) other halves with us on holidays, and some hotels are making it easier than ever by catering for you and your four-legged friend, too.
These properties take the concept of pet-friendly to the extreme, and while they mostly focus on doggies, welcome a variety of creatures great and small.
The Ritz-Carlton, New York
The Ritz-Carlton in NYC offers a Pampered Pooch Package that’s tailored to your dog.
It includes an adorable bone-shaped pillow, a bowl with the Ritz-Carlton logo, house-made dog treats and a special in-room menu … and if it’s raining, both you and your pup can borrow a Burberry raincoat.
Seriously. And if you can’t take your dog with you for the day, you can organise for him/her to be walked in Central Park.
Kimpton Hotels
The Kimpton brand might be the most animal-obsessed chain of hotels ever.
Not only do many of their properties have Directors of Pet Relations that are actually dogs, every pet that stays at Kimpton gets a pack of goodies including treats and toys, and some Kimpton spas offer side-by-side human and dog massage.
The best bit might be the nightly wine reception, where “pets are welcome to join the party!”
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, Los Cabos
This resort on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula really understands people and their pets.
The hotel has on-staff ‘dog butlers’, who take the resort’s four-legged guests for walks on the beach, create menus for them based on their dietary preferences, and can even give them doggie massages and ‘doga’ lessons.
Crucially, the dog butler (where can I apply for that job?) can take your pup for a morning walk so you can sleep in, or at night so you don’t have to rush dinner.
The Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills
A stay at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills is as much a treat for a dog as it is for their owner.
On top of a luxurious pet bed and special dog menu that sounds as good as the human one (Bow Wow Beef Burger and Spot’s New York Strip, anyone?), your pooch can also sniff out celebs on Rodeo Drive with one of the hotel’s in-house dog walkers.
The Langham, Sydney
This luxury Sydney property in The Rocks goes beyond pet-friendly.
Dogs and cats receive a custom-made bowl, bed and treats at check-in, and the in-room animal menu is seriously delicious; your dog might like ‘Lassie's Favourite', Beef Steak with Chunky Vegetables, and for your cat there’s the 'Meow Meow', Grilled Salmon with Green Beans, Quail Egg, Tuna, Potatoes & Olives.
I’d order either of those meals.
Milestone Hotel, London
This Leading Hotels of the World property in the London ‘hood of Kensington takes their ‘Pet Services’ seriously.
As well as a custom made pet bed and accessories and a special in-room pet menu – oh, and don’t forget the walking and grooming services – your dog or cat can also have its very own bathrobe to wear.
Yes, a bathrobe. Instagram gold!
And if it’s your furry friend’s special day they’ll even throw it a birthday party. Who gets invited? Does the pet wear a hat? So many questions.
Le Meurice, Paris
The five-star Le Meurice has a long history of welcoming pets as guests, from the stray greyhound that became the hotel’s mascot more than 100 years ago to the pet ocelots surrealist painter Salvador Dali kept in his room there once upon a time.
The luxury property in the heart of Paris still welcomes creatures great and small: they get a complimentary pet basket, a special food menu and a walk in the nearby Jardin des Tuileries with a staff member can be organised if you’re off being fabulous.
The 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town
At this luxury property on Camps Bay at the foot of Table Mountain, you can sip a drink in the stunning Leopard Bar overlooking the ocean with your pet at your side.
Bliss, right? If your kitty or doggo gets hungry, order them something from the pet menu prepared by the same team of chefs that put out the fine-dining fare for the human guests.
How about an ostrich burger, Fido?