Dog-Friendly Hotels in the United Kingdom

Hotel dog-friendliness rated in England, Scotland and Wales

Malmaison is a generally dog friendly UK hotel chain. Their Oxford Castle made a big effort to please Wallace, providing a fresh, fleecy bed, a smart pair of porcelain dog bowls and a selection of choice treats. There was plenty of room to for wandering and Wallace was welcome to curl up in the room, watching his favorite TV programs while I went about my business in Oxford. Because this is a city center hotel, there was not much grass around, but there were some nice quiet streets for walkies nearby.
Dog-Friendly Rating: 4.5 Paws

Located in the new Mailbox development, near some of Birmingham's most glamorous shops, this is a very slick and trendy place. Nevertheless, like all the Malmaison group, staff here have a soft spot for a pooch. They even cooked Wallace a special meal when he was a bit under the weather. There are some nice grassy areas just alongside and behind the hotel as well as access, through the shopping center, to Birmingham's canal system -- with ducks and geese to bark at. Dog-friendly facilities include a fleece bed to play with and a nice big bowl. No treats though.
Dog-Friendly Rating: 4 Paws

Wallace went wild when we arrived to find a robin splashing about in a bird bath right outside our door. This is a lovely country house hotel and the best rooms (whether you've brought your dog along or not) are in the The Lodge, a few steps from the main house. All the Lodge rooms have their own entrances and immediate access to the out of doors. My room also had a large - and dog or child safe - balcony. Wallace enjoyed hanging out on the balcony, keeping track of birds, squirrels and the owners two, big black dogs. The grounds are lovely for dog and owner both. My only worry was a stream beside a steep path. Wallace likes the water so I kept him on the leash during our woodland walk.
Dog-Friendly Rating: 4.5 Paws

Among the glorious country house hotels of Scotland, Ardanaiseig is, without a doubt, the most dog friendly we visited. They don't provide a bag of treats or a special bowl but the laissez faire attitude toward Fido says it all. There are extensive lawns and gardens, forest paths, acres of empty land and a lake for doggy athletes to swim in. No one raises an eyebrow at doggy antics and it's clear the owners believe that if you have the good taste to choose their hotel, you also have the good sense to make sure your canine guest behaves well. Wallace liked his swim and got a bit fresh with some of the statuary. His only quibble - no kibble. Well no dog biscuits anyway.
Dog Friendly Rating: 4.9 paws

Like other Malmaison hotels, the Manchester Mal offers the usual dog-friendly features - fleece bed, large water bowl, tolerant attitude. In fact, Wallace was welcome to join me in the bar for drinks with friends. But our human reservations about this hotel - a bit tired, a bit cramped, seemed to apply to Wallace's enjoyment of the room as well. It was the only one he complained about - crying to be taken along when I tried to leave him in the room. I think, like me, he found the room too small and dark. The television was not well positioned for him so he missed his favorite animal programs as well. Everyone delivered plenty of pats and affection but Wallace was glad to move on.
Dog-Friendly Rating: 3 Paws

This hotel has such fabulous grounds - a whole island all to itself, with wildlife to chase, hills to run up and down and beaches for swimming in lochs and Scotland's West Coast estuaries. It's a pity the welcome for the doggy member of your family is so limited. Wallace the Westie was only allowed in our room when I was there. Since he was not allowed in any of the lounges or bars, poor Wallace spent a good deal of our two day visit locked in the car. Not very nice. If you don't mind locking your pet in the car when you are dining or using other indoor facilities but not in your room, you may not mind and some other guests were perfectly happy with the arrangement. But dog-tolerant does not equal dog-friendly
Dog-Friendly Rating: 2 Paws

This rambling hotel in the Scottish baronial style is tolerant and understanding of dogs. Wallace the Westie was welcome in the bar and several of the other guests and staff members fussed over him. Because he is a natural star, he lapped it up. Though the hotel does not offer anything special for your dog (drying room, bowls, treats), the grounds, beside the Tweed and the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey (also dog friendly)are sheer dog heaven. Lots of soft grass, trees and bushes with freedom to run and play without worrying about flower beds and keeping off the grass. In warmer weather, a bit of a splash in the river is probably also possible.
Dog-Friendly Rating: 4 Paws

The Mount Royale Hotel is one of those pleasant surprises you come across now and then in England. Moderately priced,well-maintained, conveniently located and independent, it is a bit eccentric but unassuming. You might overlook this converted pair of William IV (circa 1833) town houses, about midway between York's city walls and its famous racecourse. But do seek it out. Its gardens are a doggy delight - as long as you are a considerate owner and clean up after your little pal. Wallace the Westie enjoyed the spacious carpeted room and the attention the staff and owner lavished upon him.
Dog-Friendly Rating: 4.5 Paws

Forget dog heaven, Wallace was in pig heaven at the Avalon. The owners of this quirky guesthouse, a block from Brighton Beach, are true dog lovers. Wallace got his own welcome pack - biscuits, a place mat and bowl - and lavish amounts of attention - cuddles, treats, extra walkies, television lions to bark at. Needless to day, after we left, Wallace found spending time with me just too, too boring darling - for days on end. Dogs are allowed on Parts of Brighton Beach but, with the tide in, Wallace was unimpressed with the steep shingle and totally nonplussed by the way the English Channel chased him back up onto the beach. He was more than happy to return to the Avalon's warm hearth.
Dog-Friendly Rating: 5 Paws and an extra dog smooch