The world’s most unexpected dog-friendly hotels

Taking your dog on holiday is getting easier, especially if you’re interested travelling locally but still want to experience something new. Much like dogs, pet-friendly hotels come in all shapes and sizes, so why not try out these unique and unexpected dog-friendly trips?

Castles – UK

If you’re anything like us your dog already rules the roost at home so why not expand their canine kingdom and book a stay in one of the UK’s historic castles? These Scottish castles encourage guests to bring their pets and have the sprawling grounds to make sure that your pup has plenty of space to roam. Explore the wild Road to the Isles walking route via the 19th century Inverlochy Castle or get to know Ayrshire by booking into the stately Glenapp Castle.

Boats – India

While turning a landlubber pup into a salty seadog can take a bit of extra training, it’ll be worth putting in the effort. Luxury boat trips through the backwaters of Alleppey in India are a popular way to see a different side to this fascinating region and the staff at Angel Queen Houseboats and The Grand Cruise are used to guests bringing their dogs along for the ride.

Luxury Tents – Morocco

Forget spending a cold night in a damp field and smelling like wet dog for the rest of the week, luxury campsites around the world are making an effort to include dogs in the glamping experience. Moroccan campsites like Hotel Azawad, Moda Camp Merzouga, and Marhaba Camp provide guests and their pets with an authentic yet luxurious stay in the sand dunes. Complete with traditional Berber food, camel rides, and sandboarding.

Farms – Italy

Responsible dog owners are used to having to keep their dogs on the leash around livestock but the farmsteads of Tuscany are happy to host all kinds of domestic dogs, from the tiny to the towering. With plenty of land to explore, rose-coloured Tuscan sunsets, outdoor pools, and plenty of local wine, dogs and their owners will be equally happy staying at 16th-century farmsteads like Agriturismo Il Segreto di Pietrafitta and Agriturismo Macinatico.

Ryokans – Japan

Ryokans – a form of traditional Japanese guesthouse – are not usually set up for dogs but Yufuin-Sanso Waremokou is a notable exception. Surrounded by large gardens and swathes of woodland, this guesthouse has plenty of room for visiting dogs to explore, while their human owners can enjoy the open-air, cypress-surrounded hot springs and city panoramas.