The pressure to find holidays at home is still on and for many, it has to include a dog friendly policy.
And Northern Ireland’s hotels haven’t been slacking when it comes to offering dog friendly accommodation.
Today we list 17 hotels right on our doorstep where the whole family is welcome.
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AC Hotel Belfast, Belfast
Plush, smart, high end and all with a very warm welcome for dogs too. This city centre hotel has hit the mark for common sense when it comes to welcoming pets. They have specific rooms set aside with no carpet flooring, dog beds, bedding, bowls and treats are included and dogs are welcome in the heart of the hotel, the bar and library areas. It is highly recommended.
Marine Hotel Ballycastle, Co Antrim
Located between the Glens of Antrim and the Causeway Coast, the Marine Hotel lies only a few minutes from the beach and a short walk to the ferry terminal for Rathlin Island.
This team understands dogs and people and they welcome both with equal warmth and great accommodation.
A dog charge will be applied at time of booking of £15 per dog per night and includes dog bowls, a blanket, fresh water and treats
They have a policy of a maximum of two dogs per booking and you can call ahead to chat with them before you book to ensure they choose the best rooms for the size of pets.
Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh
Situated on Lough Erne, the Killyhevlin has dedicated self catering lakeside and woodland lodges. And pets are allowed into the reception area too where drinks, meals and snacks are available.
The area offers an abundance of forests, hills, trails and pathways to explore and without travelling too far, beaches too in nearby Donegal.
Malmaison Belfast
The boutique hotel allows dogs in reception and in certain rooms but they are now permitted into the bar or dining area. Close to Titanic Quarter, Cathedral Quarter and Victoria Square.
The Brown Trout And Country Inn, Aghadowey, Co Derry
This was one of the first hotels to invite dogs with their families and their experience shows.
The O’Hara family have run the hotel for four generations and it includes this modern, spacious accommodation alongside a traditional inn where the food is top notch.
Their rules are simple, responding to the dog customer with a mix of common sense and lessons learned from past experience.
The rules at The Brown Trout
- Up to two dogs may stay in your room £20for one dog and £30 for two.
- Dogs must be on a lead at all times within the main building and around bedrooms.
- Dogs must be clean and smelling fresh - heavy doggy smells will not be allowed in the main building and incur an extra cleaning charge in the room. Dogs in heat or shedding hair cannot stay.
- Dogs cannot be left unattended in their rooms unless in their regular sleeping cage during a meal.
- Extra cleaning or damage charges may apply.
Inn on the Coast Hotel, Portrush, Co Antrim
A 10 minute walk to Portrush’s West Strand beach. The Inn has been pet friendly since opening its doors in 2012 and the demand for pet friendly rooms has over-exceeded their expectations.
So they have 10 elected pet friendly rooms which are normally the first to go which means booking early is essential. All these rooms are on the ground floor of the hotel for easy access to go out for widdles.
And the Inn has designated a section in their pub bistro where families and their dogs can enjoy dinner together, a few drinks or some live entertainment in the summer evenings.
There are also special dining arrangements if you wish to bring your dog to breakfast in the morning. And in good weather there’s always the option of alfresco seating arrangements in our beer garden.
The Salty Dog and Bistro, Bangor, Co Down
The Salty Dog has been pet friendly since opening back in February 2012. This wasn’t a deliberate decision, but accidental when the owners, who had come from working in hotels in GB that had been pet friendly and thought nothing of it. And the existing staff were delighted to find themselves helping set the trend of allowing dogs to eat with their owners in the lounge area of the hotel.
They say they welcome any dog, regardless of size, weight or breed, as long as they are cute, adorable and well-behaved and they can stay in any of our rooms.
- Maximum of 2 large/medium sized dogs or three small dogs per bedroom. There is a one off charge of £15.00 for one dog, £20.00 for two dogs or £25.00 for three and £5 of each of these charges will go to our local animal shelter, Assisi, to help their work.
- When staying overnight at the hotel with dogs they ask customers to bring their bedding, crates, bowls, toys to make them feel extra comfortable in what can be a strange environment for them.
- All dogs which visit The Salty Dog receive complimentary treats and water, and those who book in to stay with us receive a doggie box of goodies and a sausage for breakfast.
- Doggy toothbrush, Armstrong’s Twisted Fish pack, poop bags
- For those travelling lightly they can provide bedding, feeding mat, bowl and towel for their pets at a charge of £10 per night.
Blessingbourne Country Estate, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone
The Blessingbourne country estate sits in 550 acres of countryside with woodland and private lakes, and has five luxury self-catering apartments which are all dog-friendly. Guests can even bring their horse or pony to a holiday in the on-site stables in the heart of Blessingbourne’s working farm.
Speak to owners Colleen and Nicholas about your dogs to ensure you book the right cottage for your family size and needs.
Belle Isle Castle & Private Island , Co Fermanagh
The family running this stunning Irish castle love dogs and they love to welcome guests with dogs too.
Situated on the northern tip of Upper Lough Erne, Belle Isle is a 470-acre estate spread over eight islands. And the estate offers a wide range of attractive self-catering accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
They have dedicated their self-catering courtyard accommodation as pet friendly thanks to a Golden Retriever pup, Finn, the family received many years ago as a wedding present. They say they welcome families all the time to Belle Isle and those who know they have pet friendly country cottages can totally relax without cause to worry about their four legged family members.
And they know as dog lovers and parents, getting that combination right for the perfect break is crucial and that helps so they have created holiday packages such as their “And Shep Comes To Stay”.
They say: “We pride ourselves in the fact that we offer dog friendly self catering accommodation with the perfect surroundings for long woodland walks or a quick doggy paddle. It seems everyone is happy.”
Beech Hill Country House Hotel, Co Derry
Beech Hill Country House Hotel understands how important it is to be dog friendly and pets are catered for just as well as humans.
They promise that guests will experience one of the best country house hotels you will ever stay in - and that goes for tail-wagging friends too.
You and your pup can explore the stunning north west of Ireland - a dog walker's paradise with plenty of coastal walks and dog friendly beaches.
At Beech Hill they say their pet policy is simple, they do not discriminate as long as dogs are adorable and well behaved - and they have 32 acres of woodlands and relaxing spacious guest rooms.
You can start your break the right way with a Pawsecco or Doggy Beer on arrival and pet guests also receive their own cosy blanket, treat and water bowl in the hotel’s special welcome pack. And if you need a little help, they will even arrange dog grooming and pet walking service for an additional fee.
Please contact the hotel at time of booking to ensure their pet friendly rooms are available. There is a cost of £30 per stay per pet with a maximum two dogs per room.
The Sixteen22 Gastro Pub on site welcomes pets and blankets on loan for the duration of the stay can be purchased at the front desk.
The Fullerton Arms, Co Antrim
These guys love dogs - every one of them and they know how to put a good plate of spuds and sausages together.
Located along the beautiful Causeway coastal route, The Fullerton Arms Hotel is the ideal starting point for many adventures.
It offers a great getaway with dogs including a dog-friendly dining area and a room available for them to rest their head for the night.
The bar at Fullerton Arms has been voted the best NI Dog-Friendly Bar for two years running, and now offers three newly-renovated dog-friendly guest rooms.
Inn on the Coast, Portrush, Co Antrim
Situated on the Causeway Coastal Route between the harbour towns of Portrush and Portstewart in County Antrim is The Inn on the Coast.
This hotel offers spacious accommodation with excellent walking routes nearby. There are dedicated pet-friendly rooms on the ground floor for up to two dogs.
Your pet is welcome at the seating area of the foyer and in the reception, where you can relax and enjoy a drink or meal. The Inn even awards a Good Behaviour Certificate and a treat for your furry friend on check out
Belmore Court & Motel, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh
All the family get to enjoy a holiday with Belmore’s pet-friendly accommodation with easy ground floor access. Pets have the use of all public areas with the exception of our breakfast room and should be kept on leads when in the public areas.
It’s a cracking spot, clean and welcoming and handy for all great walks in the area. A pet accommodation charge of £25 per stay applies.
Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast
The most recent hotel to join the dog friendly club, the Fitzwilliam allows one dog per room and they are permitted in the lobby to enjoy cocktails and snacks.
The Lodge Hotel, Coleraine
The team at The Lodge understand how difficult it can be to face leaving a family member at so when you stay with them, the dogs can come too. They say: "We have dog friendly rooms for your well behaved pet, one less thing to worry about when you’re organising your holiday."
- The Lodge has dog friendly rooms for your well behaved pets and they have a simple code to abide by.
- Up to two small/medium sized groomed house dogs per room
- Please bring your dog(s) own bed, covers, food, bowls & towel to clean up those muddy paws after a day exploring
- Some of housekeepers are wary of dogs, so please make sure you are present if they need to clean your room while you are still in the hotel
- All dogs are charged at £15 per night, payable on arrival and non-refundable
- A refundable deposit of £50 is payable on booking
- Currently they are unable to allow pets in their restaurant or bar areas, but you are welcome to dine and while the stays in the bedroom - exceptions made for assistance dogs
Da Vinci’s Hotel, Co Derry
The hotel’s new self-contained studio apartments are dog friendly and are a good home-from-home on the outskirts of the city.
The suites offer luxurious design, a super king size bed, sofa bed, rainfall shower and eco friendly toiletries, plus a kitchenette with fridge, kettle, toaster, microwave, sink, cutlery, crockery and glassware.
Call the hotel ahead of booking to ensure details about your dog stay.
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