Christmas with dog in posh hotel?

[Choppychop]

This Christmas im finding myself alone for the first time. I normally either fly to my family (international, every 2 or 3 years) or I stay with distant family in the UK. Occasionally that’s not an option so I stay with my best friend and her husband and their siblings. This year I’m unable to travel to my home country and my best friend is going to her home country with her husband. My UK family are all scattered and not celebrating together so I had this idea that I’d book a fancy dog friendly hotel in London (think Ritz) as some are dog friendly and take my little dog and have a fancy few days over Christmas been treated like royalty. Does this sound like a waste of money? I think we’d love it. Room service, walks around Hyde park, maybe volunteer to feed the homeless on Christmas eve. Im very tempted!

I wouldn’t bank on it! I think they’ll be fully booked and you’ll get the room you pay for.

No chance!

This sounds lovely.

DH & me have stayed in a hotel about 30 minute's drive from us for the last few Christmases. We also stay there for a few weekends during the year. It's in the country with a short walk to a beach, has large grounds & woods as well as public footpaths along the cliffs so plenty of places for walks with our little dog. Although it's quite expensive, we enjoy spending Christmas there as no cooking or clearing up is involved and it's rather nice to be able to put our feet up, relax and be pampered without having to do anything except decide what we want to eat. The dog isn't allowed in the dining room, but we take her for a long walk before meals and she's happy to sleep in our room while we eat. It helps that she's familiar with the hotel so she feels very comfortable being left in the room for a couple of hours. She's allowed in all other areas of the hotel so we can sit in the lounge areas or the bar with her.

I recommend going away for Christmas - enjoy.

Has your dog stayed in a hotel before? Ours was really unsettled the first time and woofed at everything - people going past the door etc. It wasn't until her 3 rd time of taking her to a hotel that she just relaxed and actually chose to stay in her bed in the room rather than coming downstairs with us for dinner and seemed relaxed in the night.

Thanks everyone! I think I am going to book a room at the Berkeley as it looks gorgeous and very dog friendly. I’ll be room servicing and dining out as no dogs allowed in food areas. Right near Hyde park for lovely dog walks and Christmas light admiration.

By "dining out" do you mean taking your dog to dog-friendly restaurants?

Yes I mean dining outside of the hotel in a dog friendly restaurant or pub (loads in London)….

My dog will just sleep under my chair, she’s no bother at all. Also hypo-allergenic and doesn’t shed dog hair. Doesn’t cause any issues. For those worried!

@Choppychop i’m lucky enough to have stayed at all of the fancy hotels you mentioned plus The Lanesborough. Claridges is by far the best - the service is second to none. Dog limit is 7kg there (I’ve never taken one) and there is an additional charge for cleaning if you bring one (I enquired but my dog is 75kgs 😂) I’d highly recommend and they definitely will make sure you don’t feel lonely if you are by yourself. Have a fab time!

Wow what kind of dog is your fluffy one? 75 kg! I weigh 49 🤣 my little fluff is 6 kg. Ohhh I’ll look up Claridges!

I just wanted to say that I worked at a 4* naice hotel (dog friendly) and we got so many complaints about our Christmas breaks. Not in London so won’t be the same one but they can be very underwhelming.

I was going to say I think Claridges would be spectacular. I have friends in their late 70s and early 80s who only ever stay at Claridges. They say it is the very, very best and I trust their recommendations unreservedly.

What does naice mean (keep seeing it). THank you :)

I would have loved this with my dog if I'd had the chance, what a wonderful idea. Go for it op.

I stay in hotels by myself (not with a dog!) all the time, so would have no issues with a solo visit. But, personally, I would feel a little "odd" dining in the dining room by myself on Christmas Day when surrounded by groups of people/couples. And I think I would feel a bit sad having room service. I would say though that, before booking, check that the hotel will do room service on Christmas Day. I have in the past looked at staying at the Hilton on Christmas Day as it was more convenient for the rest of my plans, and they didn't actually do room service on that day as they said their staff were to busy elsewhere (not in London).

@Choppychopposh way of saying nice or very nice

I have a Leonberger. He’s spectacular but very, very big. He does stop a conversation when we walk in anywhere 😂

Sounds amazing!

I’m going for a few nights to a lovely London hotel with my dog, and the best part is that my friend is joining me for the second night (Christmas day). Really looking forward to it!

How can anyone possibly have voted unreasonable? If you're happy just with your dog, that is fine! Yes, a lot of people choose to spend xmas with a spouse/children and in-laws, but an awful lot moan about it. Bet the dog doesn't say anything mean, refuse to cuddle you, or complain you've not wrapped the presents well enough.

Ooh I’m excited for you op! It sounds wonderful!

How lovely! Here’s to Christmassing in unique & wonderful ways that work for the individual than the expected version of a nuclear family around a dead bird lol

Yes people do really seem to close in on themselves at Christmas and it always seems a bit silly given so many people don't have family they can or want to spend it with. Christmas Day parkruns are such a great idea as you can get out of the house and are allowed to speak to people outside your family!

There’s a big hotel on the edge of Hyde Park that prides itself on dog friendly breaks. My friend took her Yorkshire Terrier and they both had an amazing time.

https://www.royallancaster.com/results/hotelswithdogsallowed/