Miss Darcy’s Adventures May Wong tells us which hotels make the cut as her favourite dog-friendly places to stay in the UK.
May Wong is the creator of Miss Darcy’s Adventures, a wonderful blog documenting all of the dog-friendly adventures she goes on with her beautiful dogs George & Lulu.
May decided to start her blog because she wanted to share with the world that you can live your life with your dog by your side. She began her adventures with her first dog Miss Darcy, who was an amazing travel companion. May trusted her and in turn, Darcy gave her the courage to keep going further afield. So May began sharing Miss Darcy’s life adventures and experiences as a dog living in London, as well as her travels further afield.
First things first - May, what are the key things you look for when booking somewhere to stay with George & Lulu?
I have a deep love for travelling and discovering new places, and we are incredibly fortunate to live in a country that embraces dogs and offers many dog-friendly destinations. These getaways provide both me and my dogs with a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of London life and recalibrate in tranquil surroundings. Whether it's exploring the countryside, relaxing by the sea, or immersing ourselves in the sights and sounds of another city, I always seek out places where we can enjoy long walks in nature or invigorating runs on the beach.
When booking a dog-friendly hotel, one of my top priorities is ensuring that we can dine together. While some establishments warmly welcome dogs into their restaurants, others offer dining options in their bar area or an adjacent room. This aspect is essential for me because I prefer not to leave my dogs alone in the room, even though they are capable of being left unattended.
Since we often travel by train, having certain dog accessories provided by the hotels would greatly help with the packing, e.g. dog bowls make mealtimes more convenient, dog towels are indispensable for drying off after a romp on the beach or a muddy adventure on nearby trails. Whilst dog beds are not a necessity for us, these thoughtful amenities contribute to a more comfortable and enjoyable stay for both me and my canine companions.
So, taking all of this into account, are you able to share with us some of your favourite places to stay with George & Lulu.
We have travelled to so many places since I first had Darcy in 2011, so choosing a selection of dog-friendly places from a long list has been a challenge, but here are 5 of my favourites:
1: The Godolphin, Marazion, Cornwall
Set against the spectacular backdrop of St Michael’s Mount, The Godolphin is the ideal place to stay if you’d like to explore the beautiful west coast of Cornwall. The food at the restaurant is excellent and dogs are more than welcome to dine with their owners. There are 9 rooms that are dog-friendly and dogs receive a comfy blanket, food bowl and treats for their stay.
2: No1 By GuestHouse, York
This delightful boutique hotel is just a 10 min walk from the centre of town so is the perfect place to stay to explore the historical city of York, there are lots of lovely parks to visit too! There are doggie treats on arrival, dog beds in the rooms and a card that recommends the families favourite dog walks in the area which I always think is a lovely touch! Dogs are welcome to dine in the restaurant too.
3: Foxhill Manor, the Cotswolds
A wonderful 5-star luxury hotel, with eight luxury rooms and suites. Escaping to The Cotswolds for walks in the beautiful countryside is one of our favourite things to do and we love visiting the idyllic town of Broadway which is close to Foxhill Manor. They welcome children over 12 and dogs over 1 and you can choose to dine anywhere with your dogs in the manor house.
4: Loose Reins, Dorset
Take a glamping holiday in a Pioneer Cabin and feel like you are in the Wild West, rather than the Dorset countryside! Loose Reins is about rest, reconnection with nature and adventures in the magnificent landscape. There are fabulous trails to explore as well as lots of open ground. Loose Reins also always have an empty paddock for dogs to race around and play games in which is always a win for me. Here you cook your own meals in your cabin, so it’s super easy.
5: The Lanesborough, London
The best staycation if you want to hibernate in ultimate luxury as there are butlers who will walk your dogs for you! However, if you fancy exploring London’s green spaces with your dog, Hyde Park and Green Park are right on the doorstep or it’s only a short stroll down to Piccadilly or Knightsbridge for something more cosmopolitan. Dogs are welcome to dine with you in The Library or have Afternoon Tea in The Withdrawing Room.
Read more about George & Lulu’s adventures over on Miss Darcy’s blog.
Photo credit: Header image & The Lanesborough image 2 : Raven Imagery
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