The best dog-friendly hotels in London for city breaks

The capital of England is a dynamic and buzzy city for a weekend break – some of the world’s best food, fine art galleries and most iconic buildings are packed into one place. It’s a veritable hedonist’s playground, and, these days, hedonists with hounds will find much to delight them in London, too.

From walkies in wide open spaces such as Greenwich and Regent’s Parks, to adventures at some of the city’s coolest attractions – try the glass walkway on Tower Bridge, for starters – London is one of the UK’s most dog-friendly cities. There are fine-dining restaurants with seats reserved for dogs, endless traditional English pubs serving thirsty pets, and street food markets where pets can watch their owners enjoy American barbecued brisket, Nepalese momos or arepas from Argentina.

When all the adventure is over, there are plenty of exceptional dog-friendly hotels in London for dog-tired explorers – here are some of the capital’s finest pet-friendly properties, from budget bookings to indulgent spa breaks.

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Kimpton Hotels is renowned for its love of animals, and the Fitzroy property is no exception: if it fits in the elevator, it can stay, they say. So, bring your biggest or smallest dogs and bag a room that overlooks Russell Square Gardens – the ideal morning or late-night wee spot for your pet. Bedrooms are all cool monochrome, while the public areas are all grand marble and elegant mosaic floors. Here, you’re only a 10-minute walk from Oxford Street and Soho, where there’s plenty of retail therapy to be had.

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If you’re bringing the entire family – kids and dogs – to London, The Clarendon is a fantastic base. Not only does the hotel have family rooms, it’s situated in the quiet, family-friendly neighbourhood of Blackheath Village. Dogs will love walking out the front door and right onto Blackheath Common and beyond into Greenwich Park, while kids will enjoy riding the nearby cable car that’ll transport you all across the River Thames.

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With its strong retro design aesthetic – think Mid-Century on speed – and several bars and restaurants to indulge at, The Standard is a favourite among locals, commuters and visitors alike. For dogs it’s an equally excellent shout: bowls and beds are provided, and there’s plenty to keep a dog entertained if you bag one of the St Pancras-facing bedrooms with wide, near-panoramic windows. For humans, it’s all about dinner time: the rooftop bar serves up East Asian bao buns and prawn crackers alongside a cracking cocktail menu, while fine-dining restaurant Decimo stars Spanish cuisine by Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias.

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Just a minute’s walk from the famous detective’s home on Baker Street, Holmes Hotel is one of London’s best-located dog-friendly properties, as not only are you in the heart of elegant, well-heeled Marylebone, but you’re also a short stroll from Regent’s Park. Here, you can walk the dog alongside London Zoo, where they’ll spy camels grunting in their enclosure to one side and the city’s talented dog wranglers (they prefer the term walkers), who are regularly seen tethered to up to 10 dogs at a time. The hotel’s bedrooms are minimalist but chic, and dog beds, bowls and treats are provided for your pet.

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All the essentials are a given at Bankside – beds, bowls and treats are always provided for city-slicking dogs staying here. The hotel also goes above and beyond with its own “canine concierge”: they can tell you the best spots for walking, shopping and sightseeing with your dog, and have a local vet and groomer on speed dial for any health or hygiene emergencies. Best of all, though, is the swish artsy bedrooms and the Artyard Maker’s Space, where artists in residence are invited to hone their craft on site, so the public can see them at work. How many dogs visiting London can say they’ve met the next Turner Prize winner?

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If it’s intimacy you’re after during your dog-friendly trip to London, the Laslett will have you covered. This hotel is a rabbit warren of rooms spread across five Victorian townhouses. With just 50 bedrooms, it’s one of London’s more personal hotels, and your pup is bound to appreciate the low-key vibe. There are lounges and libraries for afternoon G&Ts or local craft beers, and dogs are treated to their own bed, bowl and snacks in the room. You can rest easy here, knowing you’re doing a good thing, as the entire dog surcharge goes to the excellent Wild at Heart Foundation.

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This London spa hotel pampers its canine guests almost as much as it pampers people – expect a special dog menu, including an all-day breakfast and prawn soup, and while you book in for a massage in the spa, your dog can be whisked off to a local grooming salon for their own treatment. Dogs can be by your side in most areas of the hotel, except the spa and the Orchid Lounge during afternoon tea, but if you’re hankering for crustless sandwiches and scones with cream, the hotel can arrange for a dog walker to take your pet out while you indulge.

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If you’d rather have a little more independence during your dog-friendly London adventures, book into Native Mayfair. These effortlessly cool serviced apartments are set within an old Victorian mews. They come with all the usual hotel perks (daily cleaning, reception staff on hand) but also have kitchenettes, meaning you can have a little more freedom around mealtimes – there’s a substantial fridge, which is handy for owners who raw-feed their dogs. There are breakfast bags on offer if you don’t fancy cooking in the mornings, and Hyde Park is just a few minutes’ walk away for your daily stroll.

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