Dog beds with four-poster beds, tasting menus with tail stories, puppacinos for breakfast: hotels are giving in to the paw patrols more than ever. But while Britain has long been a nation of dog lovers, aren’t we going a little too far?
After all, not everyone is a fan of the four-legged hotel guest. Telegraph reader Penny Entecott from Middleton-on-Sea in West Sussex saw her mini-break with her husband ruined by damp dogs, spoiled puppies and marauding mutts.
‘SIR – My husband and I recently checked into a hotel for a three night break. As we sat in the bar waiting for our room to be ready, we gasped in surprise when a couple with two wet dogs entered the foyer (Letters, January 10) and went straight to their room. We counted another 12 dogs arriving with their owners. Dogs were not allowed in the main restaurant, but were allowed in the bar, where food was served all day. At one point, a pampered dog sat in a chair across from his owner, eating from a plate.
‘The best part was when one dog in the restaurant took offense to the other and a growling fight took place, with both owners cooing their dogs to calm down. Apart from the hygiene issue, the noise and smell spoiled the atmosphere for us. Checking the dog policy is now high on our list when booking hotels.’
However, Penny and her husband may be in the minority. With almost a third of British households owning a dog (there are more than 12 million street dogs) and 56 percent of dog owners choosing to travel with their pets, more and more hotels are jumping on the dog-friendly bandwagon. According to Euromonitor International’s World Travel Market Global Trends Report, hotels that become pet-friendly could increase revenue by 30 percent per year, a figure we should not doubt. The ‘hound pound’ is estimated at almost £10 billion a year.
“There is no doubt that dog-friendly hotels are a big draw for guests, especially in rural and coastal areas where families are looking for getaways within Britain,” said Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, the leading hospitality trade body.
“Hotels want to ensure they can serve as many people as possible and allowing dogs can play a big role in that. We always encourage customers to speak to hotel staff to discuss any concerns as feedback and dialogue are critical for businesses wanting to provide the best possible experience.”
“We have always been pet-friendly at The Lanesborough,” says Stuart Geddes, director of the luxury hotel in Knightsbridge. “We have regular guests who travel with their dogs and they are made very welcome by our team. In addition to our 24/7 butler service for all rooms and suites, we also offer dog sitting and walking services, a dog menu and personalized food bowls and treats.”
During the Covid recovery, London’s Royal Lancaster hotel focused on becoming a leisure hotel rather than a business property. “Given our location next to Hyde Park, it was an obvious choice to go pet-friendly, and it has been a huge success,” says Alexander Henskens, hotel manager. “We have special dog-friendly floors and for hygiene reasons – and to respect the dining experiences of other guests – pets are not allowed in our restaurants. We have experienced little to no damage to our rooms, nor any disruption to other guests, as the dogs that visit are usually used to travel, well trained and well behaved.”
The cost of living crisis is also having an impact. When you add in the costs of kennels or dog sitters, it can be a good idea to take your fur babies on vacation too. “Having a number of dog-friendly apartments has really been to our advantage,” says Assumpta McDonald, general manager of Hyatt House Manchester. “For many owners, pets are family and we would alienate a large percentage of the population if we did not allow them. And while they do not have free rein in the public areas or indoor dining areas, we welcome dogs with open arms and from our experience, so do our guests.”
The Kennel Club’s ‘Open for Dogs’ survey found that one in three dog owners are more likely to go on holiday if the places are dog-friendly, and a quarter of dog owners have canceled plans because they were worried about leaving their dogs at home .
“Dogs make people happy. In fact, there are more Kennel Club statistics showing that other guests feel uplifted and happier in a pub, restaurant or hotel when dogs are inside,” says Lottie Gross, author of Dog-Friendly Weekends and Dog Days Out. “However, some guests feel uncomfortable around dogs or have allergies or phobias, which can make it more difficult to have dogs in your property. There needs to be a middle ground with designated areas and rooms where dogs are not allowed to be. Ultimately, dog owners are a great asset to hotels, but it is just as important that non-dog guests also feel welcome and safe.”
But not all hotels are jumping on the bow-wow bandwagon. “Although we absolutely love dogs – our CEO has three – we do not allow dogs at Z Hotels, only assistance dogs,” says Gill Newsome, commercial director. “As a compact luxury brand, we simply don’t have the space for that.”
The Woolacombe Bay Hotel in North Devon is a stone’s throw from a dog-friendly beach, but after an initial trial as a dog-friendly hotel the owners decided against the idea. “The owners paid close attention and were uncomfortable with the impact that just a few dogs had on their non-canine guests, and they are proud to have joined in this decision,” said Helen Laing, a hospitality marketing consultant who works at the hotel. .
Dogs are still welcome in their separate self-catering accommodation and part of their beach brasserie, but not in the hotel. “They get a lot of criticism for this, but the owners have remained steadfast. They don’t feel they can provide the luxury experience their patrons expect with dogs around.”
In short, more and more hotels are rolling out the red artificial grass for our four-legged friends. Offering everything from walks and grooming services to afternoon tea for dogs, welcoming dogs can unleash a whole new revenue stream for your hotel. Sorry Penny, it looks like dog friendly hotels are here to stay.