Which hotel brands are dog-friendly?

Planning a getaway with a wagging plus-one is easier when you know where dogs are actually allowed. Independent inns and boutique boltholes are brilliant – and we love them – but sometimes you just want the reassurance of a known name, a late check-in and a lobby that doesn’t blink at a muddy paw.

That’s where knowing which hotels are dog friendly really pays off. Some brands roll out the water bowls, beds and biscuits; others keep it strictly service animals only. The difference can be the line between a relaxed weekend and a frantic ring-round at 9pm.

We’ve rounded up the chains that genuinely welcome four-legged guests – plus what to expect on fees, room types and where you can dine together. Pick your favourite postcode, pack the treats and let the front-desk fuss begin.

Big brands that really lean in

Kimpton (IHG)

Kimpton is the poster child for pet-positive stays. Many UK hotels waive pet fees, welcome all sizes and happily provide beds, bowls and treats. Lobbies and bars are genuinely dog-friendly, and the team tends to greet wagging guests by name. It's polished hospitality without the side-eye – ideal for city stays including London and Manchester.

Malmaison

Malmaison blends moody lighting with a sensibly priced pet policy. Selected rooms welcome dogs, bar spaces are typically happy to host for dinner and biscuits appear as if by magic. It's a great pick for a style-forward weekend where you don't have to ask twice about the dog.

Hotel du Vin

Hotel du Vin brings townhouse charm, bistro classics and a quiet confidence with dogs. Many properties set aside pet-friendly rooms for a small surcharge, and cloistered courtyards make post-dinner sniffs pleasantly civilised. Staff usually clock the water-bowl moment before you do.

Radisson (Blu/RED/Collection)

Radisson offers modern rooms in central postcodes and clear pet options at many hotels. Expect a modest fee, designated floors and plenty of lift access. Radisson RED is often the most dog-forward, with bold lobbies where a snoozing spaniel barely raises an eyebrow.

Best Western

Best Western properties vary (it’s a franchise rather than a chain), but the hit rate for wag-friendly stays is high. Many UK hotels keep pet-friendly rooms available for a nightly or per-stay fee, and you can usually dine together in the lounge or bar. It's often the best-value route in countryside towns.

Lifestyle, city & chain favourites

Hilton family (Hilton, DoubleTree, Hilton Garden Inn)

Plenty of UK Hiltons accept dogs for a fee, sometimes with weight limits. Public space rules differ by hotel, but lounges and terraces are commonly fair game for dinner with a dog. It's a reliable choice for road trips, weddings and events when brand predictability helps.

Marriott family (Moxy, Aloft and friends)

Within Marriott, Moxy and Aloft are the pet-positive standouts. Fees are sensible, rooms are practical and the lobbies have the social buzz that makes popping out with the lead feel normal. Full-service Marriotts vary, so check ahead if you need restaurant access with the dog.

Holiday Inn / Holiday Inn Express / Staybridge Suites (IHG)

These are handy for motorway hops and city sprints. Many sites welcome dogs for a simple fee, and Staybridge adds kitchenettes and extra space for longer stays. Breakfast is easy – a grab-and-go station pairs nicely with the pre-walk routine.

Leonardo

Leonardo delivers design-led stays without diva pricing. Many UK properties allow dogs for a set nightly charge and will try to allocate ground-floor or larger rooms.

Accor brands (ibis, ibis Styles, Novotel, Mercure, Pullman)

Accor is broadly pet-friendly across the UK with clear, standardised fees. Novotel and Mercure usually offer the most space, while ibis wins for value and late-night receptions. If you're booking last minute, this is a safe, consistent bet.

The Hoxton

The Hoxton’s cool-kid vibe comes with zero faff. Most UK locations have dog-friendly rooms, fair fees (sometimes no fee at all) and lobbies where laptops and Labradors coexist happily. Expect thoughtful touches, decent coffee and staff who genuinely mean it when they say dogs are welcome. These are a great choice for cities like Edinburgh or Dublin.

Travelodge

Travelodge is the budget workhorse that simply gets it done. Pets are allowed for a flat fee per pet, per stay, and there are locations almost everywhere. Bring your own bed and bowls and enjoy the easy check-in and 24-hour receptions – fab for a cheap Blackpool weekend.

Aparthotels – extra space for snoots

Roomzzz Aparthotels

Roomzzz studios come with kitchenettes and storage, which is perfect for drying towels and stashing leads. Many locations accept dogs for a fee, parking is easy at several sites and the rules are refreshingly straightforward. It's a sweet spot for longer stays on a budget.

Locke Aparthotels

Locke offers design-forward apartments with proper living spaces and kitchens. Numerous UK Lockes are dog friendly via a pre-booked pet package, and ground-floor or near-lift rooms can usually be requested. It feels like a home-from-home between walks.

Native Aparthotels

Native pairs period buildings with roomy layouts and multiple dog-friendly sites. Expect a pet fee, designated apartments and common-sense rules in public areas. It's ideal for couples who want space to cook, lounge and plan tomorrow’s loop.

Country houses, inns & boutique groups

The Pig Hotels

The Pig delivers kitchen-garden glamour with muddy-boot manners. Selected rooms are dog friendly, and while main restaurants are usually off-limits, the terraces and outdoor areas are a delight. Expect woodland sniffs, crackling fires and plates you'll still discuss on the drive home, whether you’ve done a coastal Cornwall break or a rural Cotswolds getaway.

Hand Picked Hotels

Hand Picked’s grand houses offer lawns for leg stretches and teams who understand leads and wellies. Many properties have dog-friendly bedrooms for a small fee and acres of grounds for pre-breakfast laps. It's polished hospitality with relaxed, pet-savvy service.

The Inn Collection Group

These northern pubs-with-rooms truly walk the walk. You'll find dog-friendly bedrooms, bowls in the bar and hearty menus you can enjoy together. They're brilliant bases for coast-and-countryside days where the welcome is as warm as the fire.

Good to know – the usual rules

Most brands charge a pet fee – Kimpton is the notable fee-free outlier at many sites.

Bedrooms are fine, and while main restaurants are often off-limits, bars, lounges and terraces typically allow dining with dogs.

Bring a bed and bowls just in case, unless the hotel explicitly states that they provide them – and even if they do, bring a blanket so your dog has a scent they’re familiar with.

Avoid leaving dogs unattended unless the hotel allows it, and ask reception for local loop intel – the team will almost always have a favourite walk and a pub to match.

Hotels to avoid with dogs

Despite the long list of hotel chains that do accept pups, there are several that stick to a policy of assistance dogs only. Some of the bigger names include Premier Inn and Village Hotels, which typically don’t accept pets.

It’s still always worth asking the question, as sometimes an individual hotel in a chain can have special rules in place. But be prepared for a no if their website clearly states they aren’t allowed.

Still, you're hardly struggling for choice. And these are just the chains – there are so many independent hotel options just waiting to wait on your pooch (and you). Take a look at our range of dog-friendly spa hotels, luxury dog-friendly hotels or coastal dog-friendly hotels to see more options.