The best pet-friendly hotels in Australia

When times are ruff, book yourself and your furry friend for a designer dog sleepover at QT Hotels. Their seven properties around Australia have launched a new Pup Yeah! package, featuring a CUB bed with orthopedic memory foam (bougie!), human-grade treats by St Argo, designer soothing cologne and foam shampoo, and pooch-approved in-room dining – steak tartare and bacon ice cream, anyone? Plus, each QT hotel offers a ‘Strut Your Pup’ map, spotlighting local walks, dog parks and pet-friendly cafés where all the cool kids hang.

Locations: Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Newcastle, Bondi

Limits: One pooch per room, with a preferred max weight of 25 kilograms

Extra fees: Varies per location

Your pup will receive the royal treatment at Hotel Indigo, with stylish properties across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The newly pet-friendly rooms feature a plush dog bed and blanket, tasty treats, food and water bowls, plus complimentary pats from the hotel staff. 

Locations: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

Limits: One dog per room at a max weight of 30 kilograms in Sydney and 40 kilograms in Melbourne and Brisbane

Extras: Additional $50-$100 per night 

Escape the chaos of big city life with a mountain, rainforest or coastal escape at one of Spicers Retreats’ pet-friendly properties. From an all-inclusive stay in the Blue Mountains to a luxe Hunter Valley hideaway or a relaxing rainforest retreat on the Sunshine Coast, you’ll both be in for some serious R&R. Each property has dedicated dog-friendly suites, villas or cottages, complete with a plush dog bed and bowl.

Locations: Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane

Limit: Dogs up to 25 kilograms

Extra fees: $150 pet fee

Furry friends are welcome in the Urban ground floor rooms at the stylish Crystalbrook Albion boutique hotel in Surry Hills. Simple yet elegant, these rooms are fitted with a super soft dog bed, food and water bowls, and easy outdoor access (for when your best friend needs a bathroom break). You can also bring your fur babies to the Crystalbrook Bailey Residences in Cairns, where dog-friendly rooms on the first floor open out to a courtyard or balcony.

Locations: Sydney and Cairns

Limits: Dogs and cats welcome

Extra fees: An additional $95-$130 per room

Pooches of all shapes and sizes are invited for a VIP stay at Ovolo Woolloomooloo, Laneways by Ovolo, Ovolo South Yarra and Ovolo the Valley. Each room comes complete with all the necessities (plus treats and a toy) to pamper you and your pooch. 

Locations: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane

Limit: Max two pooches, any size

Extra fees: Fee included in V.I. Pooch package, with $100 extra for each additional pooch per night

If you want to spoil your furry friend, The Langham is the place. The hotel’s Pampered Pets Staycation varies per location, but includes the likes of a pet gift bag on arrival, plush pet bed and branded bowls, daily breakfast in bed for both of you, plus a private dining pet menu featuring dishes like beef steak with chunky vegetables. Pet sitting and dog walking are also available at some locations upon request.  

Locations: Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast

Limit: One dog or cat in Melbourne, max 20 kilograms; two pets in Sydney; one dog in Gold Coast, max 20 kilograms

Extra fees: $120-$220 pet fee

Treat your pup to a taste of the high life at one of Bannisters’ two coastal-chic hotels on NSW’s coast. Bannisters Pavilion Mollymook offers two pet-friendly classic rooms, plus dedicated tables for them to join you at the Rooftop Bar and Grill. Meanwhile, in Port Stephens, pampered pooches can lounge in dog-friendly ocean deck rooms or a luxury suite, with a spacious garden for zoomies galore. It’s pretty fitting that the hotel’s bistro and beer garden is called Cheeky Dog – we just hope yours is on their best behaviour! 

Locations: Mollymook and Port Stephens

Limit: One dog weighing under 25 kilograms

Extra fees: Fee included in room booking

This iconic Sydney hotel might seem too fancy for pets, but it happily rolls out the red carpet for small-sized furry guests. You can soak in spectacular vistas of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Walsh Bay or the city, while your dog dozes off by your side. No need to pack the essentials – pet bedding, bowls and toilet pads are all provided. Just don’t forget the treats!

Locations: Sydney

Limit: One dog weighing under 11.5 kilograms

Extra fees: $150 pet fee

Staying in the heart of the city with your dog or cat might feel strange at first, but they’ll feel right at home in one of W Sydney, W Melbourne or W Brisbane’s pet-friendly rooms. As part of the W Hotels’ P.A.W (Pets Are Welcome) package, your room will be decked out with bespoke amenities, including a pet bed, food and water bowls, a litter box (for cats) or clean-up bags (for dogs), and a ‘Pet In Residence’ door hanger (at select hotels). Now, who's the real VIP?

Locations: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

Limit: One dog or cat, with a max weight of 18 kilograms

Extra fees: Cleaning fee included in P.A.W package

Is it really a family vacay if your furry friends aren’t invited? You can bring them to stay for no additional charge at the newly renovated five-star Kimpton Margot Sydney. The staff will welcome your doggo by its name and pamper them with plush amenities, treats and a concierge list of nearby pet-friendly boutiques, restaurants and parks. Let them run wild in Hyde Park, then bring them upstairs for a Spritz at Harper Rooftop Bar.

Locations: Sydney

Limit: No size or weight limits

Extra fees: Pets stay free

Road-tripping between Melbourne and Sydney with your four-legged mate? Make a pit stop at Abode’s apartment hotels in Canberra, where your pup can stretch their legs and unwind after a long drive. As a bonus, they’ll even get to pick out a plush toy of their choice on arrival.  

Locations: Belconnen, Gungahlin, Kingston, Malua Bay, Murrumbateman, Narrabundah, Phillip

Limit: Max two pets per room

Extra fees: Included in room rate, with additional $50 for second pet

Live the luxe life with your four-legged friend at this classy hotel in Sydney’s upscale Harbourside suburb. Rooms booked through the InterContinental’s Pet Stay Package will be ready to go with a dog bed in the lounge room, and water and food bowls in the bathroom. You can even treat your pooch to in-room dining with the likes of steamed salmon and Angus beef for mains, mango or peanut butter ice cream for dessert, and healthy drinks, including a hemp and banana smoothie or probiotic carob puppuccino.

Locations: Sydney 

Limit: One dog with a max weight of 18 kilograms

Extra fees: $80 fee per night