Nearly half of dog owners plan to take their pup on a UK trip with them, with 55 per cent believing their pooch deserves the same experience as them in a hotel.
A survey of 2,000 dog owners revealed many feel the luxuries of a hotel stay should not be exclusively for them, with 28 per cent claiming they would compromise their own hotel experience if it meant their dog has the perfect stay.
But this has led to 23 per cent spending more than 40 minutes scouring the web, comparing dog-friendly hotels to make sure their pet has the best possible vacation.
It also emerged dog owners believe a hotel should provide a dog bed (63 per cent) and a dog bowl (38 per cent).
While 32 per cent think a detailed guide to local dog walking spots should always be available.
Following the findings, hotel booking platform justhooit.com, which commissioned the research, has created the Platinum Paws Guide, a new hotel grading system for dog-friendly hotels based on three key criteria: relaxation, amenities and service.
It features dog-friendly hotels in the UK such as Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire, which offers the opportunity to explore the 1,065-acre estate, the Chesterfield in Mayfair which has an onsite veterinary care unit, and Hotel 41 in Victoria which offers doggie-friendly champagne upon arrival.
Pups deserve good treatment
The study also found 63 per cent of owners want to see a dog-friendly rating system used across the whole hotel industry.
And 56 per cent think there is more to be done by UK hotels to accommodate their beloved pets.
While 34 per cent of dog owners have witnessed their dog showing signs of stress and anxiety while staying in hotels that did not adequately suit their pup's needs.
If this were the case, 41 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, would cut their own holiday short.
Duncan McKenna, founder of justhooit.com, said: “Pets have always been a part of our family but now more than ever they are starting to enjoy all the same experiences.
“Often, we feel they are overlooked by the hotel industry and are simply seen as an addition with an extra charge to have them stay.
“The platinum paws were set up to give Brits the best information on dog friendly hotels so that their pooches could get the best experience.
“It’s time for the whole family to be accounted for when planning staycations and holidays.”
Top 10 dog-friendly hotels in the UK
- Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa, Luton
- Newton House, Torquay
- Ashdown Park Hotel, Forest Row
- Hotel 41, London
- The Dunstane Houses, Edinburgh
- The Chesterfield Mayfair, London
- The Feathers, Woodstock
- Pen Mill Hotel, Yeovil
- The Roseate Reading, Reading
- Francis Hotel Bath – Mgallery, Bath
