HosPETality | Tail-wagging ideas to pamper four-legged guests
Dog friendly welcome for Jimmy at Le Richebourg Hotel Restaurant & Spa
Maison Heler in Metz - welcomes guests with dogs 
Dog play area at the Alpin Resort Sacher in Seefeld
Cesar Restaurant Weekend
On August 26, it’s International Dog Day once again – the perfect moment to share some more fun examples of how the four-legged friends of guests are welcomed in hotels and restaurants. More and more, we see reels showing even large dogs going on holiday, sometimes even flying on planes! Honestly, I can’t imagine taking our office dog Jimmy on a long flight… In this article other examples of HosPETality, like: the Chief Happiness Officer at the Fairmont Tokyo, enjoying a martini, beer or ice cream with your dog, off-leash play areas, a ‘Dog Stick Library’ and more. ^Marjolein
This article follows up on our earlier HosPETality piece from 2022, with more examples of pet-friendly initiatives.
3 minutes read
HosPETality at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and off-leash areas
Recently, we wrote about the way dogs are welcomed at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts – sometimes even by a Chief Happiness Officer or Director of Pet Relations! Several of their hotels have resident dogs who are available at set times for cuddles or walks with guests. Naturally, water bowls, a dog blanket, and treats are always ready for visiting dogs. Also handy: maps with local walking routes, I can’t tell you how often I’ve been searching for a nice, safe trail near a hotel!
Another great touch: fenced-off areas where dogs can run free. We came across an area like this at the Alpin Resort Sacher in Seefeld – after a leashed walk, the dogs could have a good run around in a field behind the hotel. These kinds of off-leash areas can now even be spotted occasionally along highways in France and Germany. Got the space? Why not! Perhaps even in collaboration with a dog food brand.
Spoiling your guests’ four-legged friends
If you think treats like a puppuccino are only popular outside Europe, think again. We follow the account Op stap met Luuk (“Out and about with Luuk”), where they go for dog ice cream at ijskâld, with locations in Lemmer, Urk, Sneek, and Emmeloord in the north of the Netherlands. Apparently, ijskâld offers two flavours especially for dogs: green bean, and banana-peanut butter.
We’ve also noticed more and more restaurants in France allowing dogs inside the dining room, as well as on the terrace. We were reminded of this when we came across a reel from Worldwide Winston – about the luxury travels of a corgi who even flies in the cabin! According to them, Ocean House in Rhode Island is “the best dog-friendly hotel.” This Relais & Châteaux property welcomes dogs with warm broth upon arrival while their humans enjoy a glass of bubbly. They also have a special dog menu.
Personal HosPETality experiences with Jimmy
A few months ago, we stayed at Le Richebourg Hôtel, Restaurant & Spa in Vosne-Romanée, where Jimmy was welcomed with her name on a food bowl, some treats, and the option to order from a dog menu. Dogs were welcome in the dining room, with tables seating dogs spaced apart to avoid distractions.
At Maison Heler, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, we found food bowls in our room featuring our national mascot dachshund Takki – plus a plush toy! I’m still trying to find the same bowls for our office.
Enjoying a drink with your dog?
On Instagram, we came across a reel from Emily Jane Johnston, who loved enjoying a martini with her dog – shaken, not stirred! The bartender at Maison Assouline even made a special puptini for her golden retriever.
Less elaborate, but also fun for terraces: there’s even beer for dogs. Why not put it on the menu? There are plenty of places where owners enjoy having a beer together with their dogs. 😉
Doggie Restaurant Weekend in July in New York
Officially called CESAR Restaurant Weekend, it took place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July in New York, but on other dates also in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Nashville. Dog food brand CESAR invites dog owners to dine out together at participating restaurants – in New York, for example, at City Vineyard by City Winery.
We wrote about this weekend in our trends we spotted week 34 2024: it remains a great idea for restaurants to team up with a dog food brand for a special event – especially if you’re located near an off-leash area! And for restaurants by the water: a Dog Stick Library is also always highly appreciated by guests and their dogs.
