For many people, pets become part of the family, and having them around on a holiday or short break brings plenty of joy to both adults and children. With National Dog Day on 26 August, Ikon Magazine looked at what hotels actually offer their furry guests.

We weren’t interested simply in finding hotels that allow dogs through the door. We wanted to know what happens once you arrive: is there a bed waiting for your dog? Treats? A toy? A dog menu? Somewhere good to walk? And how much does bringing your pet actually cost?

We found nine hotels that stood out. They range from stylish London addresses where dogs can join their owners in selected public spaces to country-house hotels with acres of grounds to explore. Some offer dedicated dog packages, while others stand out simply because their pet policies are unusually generous.

A dog-friendly hotel can mean very different things. At some properties, it simply means your dog is permitted to stay in the room. At others, the welcome includes a bed, bowls, treats, toys, a dog menu, walking recommendations or access to parts of the hotel where you can spend time together.

One Aldwych, Covent Garden — a glamorous stay where your dog can dine too

Location: Covent Garden
Current offer: Bed, Breakfast and Belly Rubs from £750 per night for two adults and one dog
Best for: A special-occasion London stay

One Aldwych has gone beyond simply making a few bedrooms dog-friendly. Its current Bed, Breakfast and Belly Rubs offer, available through PetsPyjamas, combines a stay with breakfast and a canine-friendly dining experience. The offer is advertised from £750 per night for two adults and one dog, making this firmly a luxury option rather than a budget dog-friendly break.

One of the more appealing details is the hotel’s Dine with Your Dog arrangement. Guests can eat with their dog in the Library, the hotel’s private guest lounge. Head Chef Dominic Teague offers an English menu using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, with dishes that are completely dairy- and gluten-free. If you’d rather explore beyond the hotel, the concierge can also recommend dog-friendly restaurants nearby.

One Aldwych’s general dog policy is also worth knowing before booking. The hotel welcomes small to medium-sized, house-trained dogs over one year old in designated dog-friendly bedrooms and suites. Dogs receive an ergonomic dog bed, bowl, towels and treats. Dogs can accompany their owners in the Library and Lobby Bar until 5pm, but aren’t permitted in the hotel’s restaurants or Health Club and cannot be left alone in the room.

The location is another advantage for a city break. Covent Garden is immediately outside the hotel, while Lincoln’s Inn Fields and the Thames offer nearby options for a walk.

Why it stands out: The combination of a dedicated dog-friendly dining option and a current Bed, Breakfast and Belly Rubs package makes this much more than a hotel that simply permits pets.

South Place Hotel, City of London — particularly good value for dog owners

Location: City of London
Pet fee: Free when booked direct
Best for: A five-star city stay without an additional dog charge

South Place Hotel has one of the most attractive propositions in the research for anyone keeping an eye on the cost of bringing a pet. Dogs stay free when booked direct.

The hotel says dogs are welcome throughout the property, including Bluebird City, Angler and the bar areas. Dog-friendly rooms come with a king-size dog bed, toy, food and water bowls and a South Place mat. The hotel also provides recommendations for local parks.

There is a little more to the offer too. The hotel is currently promoting its Paws & Unwind offer for August, including a complimentary dog gift package.

For owners, the real attraction is the combination of the hotel’s five-star setting with a policy that doesn’t impose an additional dog charge when booking directly.

Why it stands out: Dogs stay free when you book direct, while the hotel also makes a point of welcoming them beyond the bedroom.

Hilton London Metropole — a practical option for two dogs

Location: London
Pet fee: £35
Dogs: Up to two per room, with a combined weight limit of 75lb (approximately 34kg)
Best for: Owners travelling with two dogs

Hilton London Metropole is another particularly practical choice for owners travelling with more than one dog.

The hotel allows up to two dogs per room, provided their combined weight does not exceed 75lb. The pet fee is £35.

There are restrictions to bear in mind. Pets cannot join guests in the hotel’s food and beverage areas, although they are welcome in public areas when kept on a lead or in a carrier. Trained service animals stay complimentary.

The hotel’s location is also useful for dog owners, with Hyde Park and Regent’s Park providing access to two of London’s best-known green spaces.

The combination of two dogs being permitted in one room and a single £35 pet fee makes this a particularly interesting option for households travelling with a pair of dogs.

Why it stands out: The two-dog allowance and £35 fee make this a straightforward, practical choice for multi-dog households looking for a London base.

London Marriott Hotel County Hall, South Bank — made for riverside walks

Location: South Bank
Pet fee: £50 anti-allergy deep-cleaning fee
Best for: A London break built around walks

The Tails of County Hall offer is one of the more comprehensive dog packages in the research.

The current offer covers stays from 24 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and includes a luxury dog bed, food and water bowls, complimentary treats, dog shampoo and conditioner, plus a curated map and guide to walks around the Thames and South Bank.

There is a clear cost attached to bringing a dog: the official offer confirms a £50 anti-allergy deep-cleaning fee. For stays longer than seven days, there is a further £50 weekly fee.

For a dog owner, however, the location does some of the work. The hotel sits on the South Bank, putting the Thames and the surrounding riverside area within easy reach.

Why it stands out: The dog package is unusually well defined, with practical items for the dog and a walking guide that makes use of the hotel’s riverside location.

St Pancras London, Autograph Collection — for a memorable hotel experience

Location: St Pancras
Pet fee: £100 per stay + £50 per day
Dogs: Up to 15kg, maximum one dog per room
Best for: A special London stay

St Pancras London is one for owners who want the hotel itself to be part of the experience.

The current pet policy accepts dogs weighing up to 15kg, with one dog permitted per room. The charge is £100 per stay plus £50 per day, making this one of the more expensive pet policies in the roundup. Guide dogs are exempt from the weight restriction.

The hotel is also promoting its Pawsome Stay package, specifically designed for guests travelling with dogs.

The cost is therefore worth considering carefully. For a short budget-conscious stay, the additional pet charges could make a substantial difference. For a special occasion, however, the combination of the historic setting and dedicated dog package gives the stay a different appeal.

Why it stands out: A spectacular London setting with a dedicated canine package, although the pet charges make this more of a special-occasion option than a budget choice.

Tylney Hall Hotel and Gardens — a country-house escape

Location: Rotherwick, near Hook
Pet fee: £25 per dog per night
Dogs: Up to two dogs per room
Best for: A traditional country-house break

For dogs that would rather swap London’s pavements for grass and open space, Tylney Hall offers a very different type of escape.

The hotel allows up to two dogs per room, with a charge of £25 per dog per night. Dogs staying with their owners have the use of their own bed, blankets and bowl.

The hotel’s dog-friendly arrangements also include a Sir Woofchester Welcome Pack with treats, a toy and waste bags, presented in a reusable bowl, as well as a Sir Woofchester Woof Bar and towel. A dog menu is available during the stay for an additional charge.

Dogs are welcome in the hotel grounds and reception areas and can accompany their adult owners for food and drinks in the Library Bar.

The hotel’s 66-acre estate is a major part of the appeal. Instead of simply being a place to sleep with a dog, Tylney Hall gives owners the opportunity to make walking and exploring part of the stay.

Why it stands out: Allowing up to two dogs per room, alongside a substantial welcome package and 66 acres of grounds, makes this particularly appealing for a country-house break with more than one dog.

Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club — for dogs that love a walk

Location: Forest Row, East Sussex
Pet fee: £25 per night for one dog
Dogs: One dog per room
Best for: Active dogs and their owners

Ashdown Park gives dogs a particularly generous welcome, with their own package waiting on arrival.

The Sir Woofchester Welcome Pack includes tasty treats, a toy and waste bags, presented in a reusable bowl. Dogs also receive a Sir Woofchester Woof Bar and a towel for drying muddy or wet paws after a walk. A dog menu is available during the stay for an additional charge.

There is one practical point owners should know: for hygiene reasons, guests are asked to bring their own dog bed and additional bowls.

Dogs are warmly welcomed in the hotel’s grounds and reception areas and can join their adult companions for food and drinks in the West Lounge. They can explore the estate off the lead, although they should be kept on a lead inside and around the building and terraces.

Dogs should not be left unattended in bedrooms and aren’t permitted in the Country Club.

The hotel’s 186-acre estate, together with nearby Ashdown Forest, is the major attraction for owners who want to make walking part of the break. The hotel also provides recommendations for dog-friendly places to explore, including countryside trails and dog-friendly cafés.

Why it stands out: The 186-acre estate gives dogs plenty of space to explore, while the hotel provides a genuinely substantial welcome package.

Red Lion, Radlett — particularly good for two dogs

Location: Radlett, Hertfordshire
Pet fee: £25 per night for up to two dogs
Dogs: Up to two dogs per dog-friendly bedroom
Best for: Owners travelling with two dogs

The Red Lion in Radlett offers one of the simplest and most appealing pet-fee arrangements in the roundup: up to two dogs can stay for £25 per night, whether you bring one dog or two.

The hotel’s VIP dog welcome includes a doggy hamper with treats, as well as a dog bed or blanket and bowl.

All of the hotel’s rooms are dog-friendly, including the Snug, and the property is just a two-minute walk from Radlett station. That makes it a practical option for a short break without necessarily needing to drive.

The two-dog policy is particularly worth noting. At some hotels, bringing a second dog can mean another charge or isn’t permitted at all. Here, the same £25 nightly fee applies to up to two dogs.

Why it stands out: A £25 nightly charge covering up to two dogs is unusually straightforward and makes this one of the more attractive options for multi-dog households.

Dao by Dorsett West London — for an apartment-style stay

Location: Shepherd’s Bush
Pet fee: £70 per stay
Optional pet package: £29
Best for: Guests who prefer more space and an apartment-style stay

Dao by Dorsett offers something different from a conventional hotel room, with apartment-style accommodation in West London and a dedicated pet package.

The hotel’s current pet policy states that guests travelling with pets pay a £70 pet policy fee, which covers cleaning at the end of the stay.

For owners who want more than the basic pet arrangement, the Dao Journeys Pet Friendly package costs £29. It includes a pet bed or tent, food and water bowls, a waste-bag dispenser and toys, plus a special discount on pet-sitting services from Paws Galore.

The pet-friendly offer is currently valid until 31 December 2026.

There are also separate hotel stay offers, but these should be checked against the applicable booking dates and conditions rather than assumed to apply to every pet-friendly stay.

Why it stands out: The apartment-style format can make sense for longer stays, although owners should factor in the £70 mandatory pet fee before adding the optional £29 package.

A hotel being labelled “dog-friendly” can mean very different things. At some properties, it simply means your dog is permitted to sleep in the room. At others, the welcome includes a bed, bowls, treats, toys, a dog menu, walking recommendations or access to parts of the hotel where you can actually spend time together. For more dog-friendly stays around the UK, we recommend having a look at specialist sites such as PetsPyjamas and Dog Friendly Hotels. Both are useful for finding dog-friendly hotels, pubs and other places to stay, as well as discovering offers and properties you might not come across in a standard hotel search. Just remember to check the latest pet policy and deal details before booking.