Is it time you took your four-legged friend on a little city break? When it comes to finding the very best dog-friendly hotels in London, we’ve done the hard work for you…
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel
Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or in the big city for a little longer, the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is unquestionably one of our first choices for a pet-friendly stay in London.
While many hotels claim to be dog-friendly, in some the most Fido will receive in way of a welcome is a semi-smile from the receptionist who’s very glad there’s a large desk between them and the dog; this is absolutely not the case at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
The staff go out of their way to make sure your pooch is pampered and well looked after during your stay. On entering the grand lobby, Alfie (my miniature dachshund) was approached by four different members of staff all bent low, cooing and eager to stroke him – it was clear who the VIP was here…
Set within Sir George Gilbert Scott’s spectacular Gothic Revival building from the 1870s, the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel retains all the splendour of the original Victorian hotel on the site. The hotel’s lobby has soaring ceiling, the hallways are lined with Gothic arches and vaulted, ribbed ceilings, and each room is decorated with an elegant mix of old-school splendour and modern sophistication; you’ll even find mosaics and stained-glass windows on the upper floors, and an ornately tiled spa in the basement.
Dogs can stay in all of the hotel’s rooms and suites for free and all come with a dog bowl and bed for your pooch. The standard rooms are situated in the modern Barlow Wing and have everything you could need during your stay, but for a lot more luxury, opt for one of the spacious Chambers Club Suites in the original wing of the hotel. As well as sumptuous furnishings, high ceilings and a marble-panelled bathroom, guests of the Chambers Suites (four legged or otherwise) will have exclusive access to the Chambers Club.
Located on the ground floor of the hotel, the Club is accessed through a large corridor overlooking the lobby that only guests staying in a suite can access. At the bottom of a grand spiral staircase, you’ll find a spacious lounge-like room with ample comfy seating and a buffet/bar area where you can enjoy complimentary soft drinks, breakfast, midday snacks, afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres and post-dinner desserts; you can also dine here but this costs extra. The staff of the Chambers Club are not only friendly and welcoming to humans, but are true dog lovers and all are very keen to welcome your dog to the Club; they really made mine and Alfie’s stay.
If you choose not to stay in a suite, the hotel has four other dining options and George’s Bar for round-the-clock tipples in a 19th-century setting; for seasonal British fine dining head to Marcus Wareing’s Gilbert Scott Restaurant, or for a more casual meal MI + ME, The Booking Office Bar & Restaurant and the Hansom Lounge offer all-day dining, though only the last is pet-friendly.
marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonpr-st-pancras-renaissance-hotel-london
South Place Hotel
For young, trendy city goers and their dapper dogs, South Place Hotel is our first choice of pet-friendly stays. Like its patrons, the hotel has a fresh, lively vibe with undeniable style and a high level of luxury. During the week South Place exudes a slick business buzz, but come the weekend, the hotel slips into something more relaxed and effortlessly elegant.
For the small charge of £50 a stay, small to medium-sized pets can stay with you in any of the hotel’s 80 rooms. The hotel is very accommodating for travellers with pets; at check-in you’ll be given a form to fill out with any requests you have for your pooch. Included in your pet’s stay are a number of goodies from pet emporium, Pets Pyjamas; expect a king size dog bed, a welcome gift, food and water bowls and a local dog guide so you can explore the city together; the hotel can also source dog food of your choice for you for an additional fee.
The hotel has five bars and three restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Angler Restaurant, however, dogs are only allowed in the Secret Garden bar on the first floor, and 3 Bar. Not to worry though, the hotel has a satisfying selection of in-room dining options and who can resist breakfast in bed.
South Place hosts a number of pet-friendly events throughout the year that are open to both locals and guests of the hotel. In their latest series of events, cutely named Sip and Snuggle, classic movies like When Harry Met Sally are screened in their tropically-themed Secret Garden bar. While you relax on deckchairs snuggled under a cosy blanket sipping hot chocolate and snacking on popcorn, your canine companion can get to know the other four-legged filmgoers and enjoy treats from Pets Pyjamas. These popular events sell out fast so be sure to book in advance.
Conveniently located between Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations, the hotel is perfectly placed for travellers from the UK and further afield, and is in a superb spot to explore the city’s sights; South Place’s handy dog-walking guide makes this all the easier.
Rosewood London
A ball’s throw from Covent Garden, Rosewood is a timelessly elegant and sophisticated hotel, and the go-to stay for refined travellers and their pets. Behind the grand, arched-façade of the hotel, you’ll find equally as awe-inspiring interiors with elegant marble stairways, welcoming wood-panelled rooms with roaring fires and charming stained-glass accents, all decorated with stylish and sumptuous furnishings.
With a personal welcome note from the hotel’s resident retriever Pearl, cats and dogs will feel as well welcomed as their owners at Rosewood. Dogs receive a sumptuous bed, delicious welcome treats, water and food bowls as well as Pearl’s (the hotel’s resident retriever) extensive guide to pet-friendly London which includes recommendations and a helpful map of local dog-friendly shops, restaurants and bars, and nearby parks for walkies. The hotel can also arrange dog sitting, walking and training for you during your stay. Meanwhile cats can expect a comfortable bed, a litter box, a selection of fun toys, welcome treats and of course food and drink bowls.
Unlike many pet-friendly hotels in the city, Rosewood allow pets in all of their restaurants and bars, though they do ask that pets be kept on a leash while you dine. This gives you the opportunity to sample seasonal cuisine at the intimate Mirror Room restaurant and enjoy the best of British dishes amid the bold interiors of the grand Holborn Dining Room; if planning a busy day out be sure to grab a bite-to-go from the Pie Room, both you and your four-legged companion will appreciate Executive Head Chef and pastry expert, Calum Franklin’s treasure trove of handmade, savoury delicacies. After a long day exploring the city, a fireside cocktail in Scarfes bar is a welcome return to Rosewood.
For the ultimate pampering experience for you and your pooch, book Rosewood’s Canine Package, exclusively designed in collaboration with Barbour and Lily’s Kitchen. During your overnight stay in a two-bedroom Grand Premier Suite, owners can enjoy a full English breakfast for two and some me-time with £100 (a person) spa credit to use at the hotel’s Sense spa; you’ll both have access to a personal butler service, and as well as the hotel’s standard luxury amenities, your dog will also get a selection of Barbour dog collars and leads available to use during their stay, Lily’s Kitchen meals and an hour of pampering with celebrity dog groomer, Jamie Griffen.
Dukes London
From the royal location to the exceptional service and interiors, luxury permeates throughout pet-friendly hotel, Dukes in Mayfair. Tucked between St. James’ and Green Park, Dukes is in an ideal spot for dog walking and sightseeing – or both at once… Whether you like swish contemporary spaces or more traditional touches, Dukes has a luxury suite to suit.
Dogs under 16kg can stay at Dukes for £25 a night a dog (so you can bring the whole pack on your trip). For this small fee pets will receive a luxurious soft, two gourmet meals a day, a supply of mineral water, a turndown treat, their very own Dukesy dog soft toy to take home, and a personal pooch shopping trip. The hotel are also happy to supply doggy clean-up bags, information on local veterinary services on request and can arrange trips to the grooming parlour (for an additional cost).
These can all be easily arranged prior to your stay via Dukes’ dog preference form which can be found online or requested from concierge. If you want a little time to yourself to spend in the Health Club, or beyond the hotel sightseeing, shopping or dining out in one of London’s top restaurants, for an additional fee Duke’s offers 24-hour dog sitting and walking services, so you can enjoy the city assured your best friend is in good hands.
Red Carnation Hotels
Luxury hotel brand Red Carnation Hotels has several pet-friendly hotels in London, all equally as welcoming to four-legged travellers as the next. Pick your pet-friendly pad depending on your favourite London locale; their five-star stays include The Milestone Hotel near Kensington Palace, The Egerton House Hotel in Knightsbridge, 41 Hotel in Belgravia, The Rubens at the Palace opposite Buckingham Palace, The Chesterfield in Mayfair and The Montague on the Gardens besides the British Museum. Though not the most stylish or contemporary of hotels, all are exceedingly welcoming and have an old-school charm with rich, plush furnishings in a mix of cool creams and bold shades of red and blue.
Let your chosen hotel know that your pet will be traveling with you and they’ll happily arrange for a dog bed (available in various sizes), food and water bowl, a goodie bag containing a dog toy, treats and clean up bags, and a map of nearby park walks to be ready and waiting for you in your room on arrival. All hotels also offer turn down treats, grooming, dog sitting (book 48-24 hours in advance), dog walking (booked 24 hours in advance), and can provide information on local pet stores and emergency veterinary services.
The Rubens’ and The Egerton’s pet menus go far beyond bones and a bowl of cream, and instead offer an array of human-worthy dishes. Dogs can dine on chunks of steak served with gravy and creamed mashed potatoes for dinner, followed by Cumberland sausage, Suffolk back bacon, sautéed mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, hash browns, baked beans for breakfast the next morning; while felines feast on fresh salmon and tuna in a tomato sauce, washed down with a soothing hot chocolate before bed. There are also a few lighter options for any pets watching their weight.
For the ultimate VIP (very important pet) service, stay at The Egerton. Not only does the hotel provide all of the above services, but they also have dog-friendly breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner menus specially designed to hungry hounds, a partnership with pet-friendly concierge service, Pet Jets, and two exclusive pet packages made in collaboration with Pet Pavilion.
The standard package includes a pre-groom consultation with a professional groomer, followed by eye cleansing, ear cleaning, nail clipping, a cleansing shampoo and massage, your choice of a tidy-up or a full body hair cut. If your pooch is in need of a little more pampering opt for the Spa Package which also offers a moisturising coat conditioner, a fresh-breath treatment and teeth brushing. Both also include complimentary transfers to and from the nearby Gloucester Road Grooming Salon and a £5 voucher for you to spend on pampering your pooch in the future.
Main image and image of Rosewood London courtesy of James Bedford
