Pets can be a core part of the family unit for many, and they can also make life all the more rich and full of entertainment. With pet ownership having rocketed in recent years, so too has the demand for pet-friendly amenities, with travellers increasingly wanting to bring their furry friends along on trips. According to 2023 research (pdf) from the Dogs Trust, more than two-thirds of dog owners had taken them on holiday in the UK.
“I think a lot of people got dogs during the pandemic and spent a lot of time with them,” says Richard Finn, general manager of Hilton Cambridge City Centre. “And we saw an influx after lockdown restrictions were lifted, of people travelling with their pets. But we were actually seeing that before the pandemic as well.”
Speaking from Hilton Cambridge City Centre, which has been pet-friendly since 2018, Finn is joined by his exuberant dog Toby, who often makes an appearance, to the delight of the staff. Hilton has more than 50 pet-friendly hotels across the UK and Ireland, some of which have bespoke offerings. These cater to the desire of pet owners to include their pets in their travel experiences.
“There’s an element of helping people enjoy time with their pets, and that we welcome them, but also from a business point of view, it is a huge industry,” says Finn, reflecting on his hotel’s experience when welcoming animals.
Similarly, at Hart Shoreditch Hotel London, Curio Collection by Hilton, which has been pet-friendly since it opened its doors in 2019, it’s about the special touches. “For us, it’s all about treating the guest’s pet as if it’s another guest in the room,” rooms division director Sameena Desai says of this hotel’s approach. “So we have dog beds, bowls, and we have a little letter, which is like a welcome letter. We address the letter to the pet so if you read it, it’s as if we’re speaking directly to the pets, which is a cute and quirky touch.”
Desai emphasises that the team also accommodates pets that are not staying at the hotel, one of many ways this hotel in particular goes above and beyond for animals. “Because we’re based in Shoreditch, our vibe is about the local community and allowing local people to use our space, so that’s why we have a co-working table. A lot of people will come in and work from here and they’ll bring their dogs. And when our team sees a dog in the lobby, they will automatically go and get the dog bed, the ball, the treats etc.”
How Hilton gives pets a paw-fect welcome
Hilton has more than 50 pet-friendly hotels across the UK and Ireland all providing a welcoming experience for four-legged guests. From the moment a guest and their pet check in to one of these select hotels, Hilton is on hand to explain its pet policies as well as to supply essentials in room such as a water bowl and pet bed. Many of these animal-friendly hotels also provide a pet welcome letter that has details for nearby pet-friendly venues, parks and the closest vet, to put travellers at ease.
With the demand for pet-friendly hotels reflecting the changing preferences and lifestyles of travellers, we’re likely to see this growth continue. Staff at Hilton’s pet-friendly properties are passionate about including animals in their provision, not only in response to this trend, but also because it offers another means to ensure guests are able to have the most relaxing stay possible.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” Desai says. “Guests are normally really appreciative that, number one, we allow pets, and then, number two, that we make it easy. They always mention how happy they are that they can travel with someone they deem to be a part of their family, and they don’t need to sacrifice their comfort or their convenience in any way.”
Discover pet-friendly hotels across the UK & Ireland
