Pet-friendly hotels get the paws-up from PetsPyjamas
Hotels focused on making sure they are pet-friendly have been recognized in a number of awards by PetsPyjamas.
The pet-friendly travel company aims to recognize hotels that go the extra paw for their four-legged check-ins and winners include the likes of The Cary Arms in Devon, which won the Best for Walkies Award, and Eurotunnel, which was noted as the Best Dog-Friendly Carrier.
PetsPyjamas features around 1,500 dog-welcoming hotels, cottages, country houses and B&Bs and travellers are guided on the best places to go via the company’s Pet Concierge team.
Treehouses at Chewton Glen got the Best Unique Stay Award; Chateau de la Motte got the Best European Destination; and the Rosewood Hotel in London won the Top Resident Dog prize, thanks to its Golden Retriever Pearl, who apparently sends all other pets in residence a welcome card.
PetsPyjamas has a standard of excellence which all travel partners must match, with hotels judged on whether they have a “super dog-loving atmosphere” and staff at all times; whether they have three or more dog-friendly rooms available to book; whether dogs have access to some communal areas and are able to dine with owners; if dogs are provided with beds, bowls and treats; and whether there are dog-friendly attractions, for example walks or a dog-friendly beaches, nearby.
“We believe dogs are such important members of the family and our customers want to include them in their travel plans,” said PetsPyjamas chief executive Gracia Amico. “These awards celebrate a new level of customer service and understanding in the hospitality industry. The properties we work with have proved themselves to be truly pet loving and go that extra mile to make pets as welcome as their owners.”
According to a survey among PetsPyjamas customers, 82% plan to take their dog on holiday with them in the UK or abroad this year and six out of 10 dog owners would even take their pet on their honeymoon if they could.
And the size of the market continues to grow, with 12 million households - 46% - having pets, many with more than one, bringing the pet population in the UK to 58 million.
Ravenstone Manor in Cumbria was deemed to have the Waggiest Welcome, while Hotel Endsleigh in Devon got the Best Luxury Dog-Friendly Hotel and The Milestone Hotel in London own the Pampered Pet Award.
Red Kite Barn, Wales won the Home from Home Award; New Park Manor, Hampshire got the Fido’s Family Award; Belmond Le Manoir, Oxfordshire was picked for the Gourmet Hotel Award and Chateau de la Motte in Normandy, France was deemed to be the Best European Destination.
The White Horse in Sussex got the People’s Choice Award.
ttgluxury’s own April Hutchinson was also fully supportive of the awards, acting as an ambassador for PetsPyjamas.
She said: “There’s no doubting we are a nation of animal lovers, which is a wonderful thing to see. Our pets are often like members of the family, so it makes sense they would be cared for as such, given treats and included in all elements of life, including holidays.
"With everyone’s leisure time increasingly cramped, it’s great to see a company that recognises this by taking the hassle out of sourcing locations where pets are welcomed with open arms. Knowing where to be able to recommend certainly gives our readers an added way of ensuring their customers get the best possible service and experience on their travels.”
But while many hotels have cottoned on to the puppurtunity to host dogs and owners, 63% of PetsPyjamas customers said they still feel hotels could be more pet-friendly.
Recommended For You
Most read features
Competitions
TTG Luxury Journey
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau
Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
