Niche travel

HOTELS.COM HAS come up with a list of the world’s top dogs in the hotel-for-dogs stakes.

HOTELS.COM HAS come up with a list of the world’s top dogs in the hotel-for-dogs stakes.

They include the Hotel Solomar in San Diego, which is home to the world’s first dog yoga class, doga.

In Sweden the First Hotel Amaranten, in Stockholm has a dog spa and a shop selling canine fashion accessories, including, no doubt, fluffy white spa robes.

Germany’s Travel Charme Kurhuas Sellin, has a dog (and owner) only beach, where both enjoy walks and swims. It has a dog bar too, to relax in afterwards.

At Abbots Brae, a four-star Scottish hotel in the seaside village of Dunoon, canine guests get tartan dog beds and homemade treats.

Not much, but a far more practical approach than that taken at the five-star Mandarin Oriental in Miami, which gives all doggie guests a personalised welcome letter from the manager.

There are pet-friendly options closer to home too, with Harvey’s Point in Donegal providing complimentary dog baskets, plus a dogsitting and walking service.

Hotel Dunloe Castle in Kerry provides dog toys and a throw for the sofa, should he or she decide to sleep on it.

Top dog of all however is probably the Hotel Palomar, in Washington DC, which has a canine on the staff roll.

The hotel’s director of pet relations is Luna, a very cute cocker spaniel. You’ll know her because her uniform is quite distinctive – a pink collar. It’s her job to promote the hotel’s Yappy Hours, the canine happy hours the hotel runs from time to time.

There’s paws for thought.

Sandra O'Connell

Sandra O'Connell

Sandra O'Connell is a contributor to The Irish Times