Luxury accommodation fit for man’s best friend

Pets are a large part of many people’s lives and family, so leaving them while heading off on holiday can leave a guilty feeling with many owners’ concerned about how they’ll be looked after while they’re away. The good news for many pet owners is whilst you indulge in a luxury break, your pets can be pampered and well looked after on their own special trip away from home. With the UK pet industry now worth an estimated £4 billion, it’s no surprise that businesses are tapping into the lucrative industry providing first-class pampering and care for pets. Rather than your run of the mill cattery or boarding kennels, hotels and retreats catering for pets that are looking for a 5 star stay are beginning to make an appearance. The House of Mutt One establishment making waves in the UK is The House of Mutt in Suffolk. Embracing their slogan ‘For Dogs of Distinction’, the five star luxury dog hotel is an upmarket retreat for pet owners to leave their furry friends safe in the knowledge they’ll be looked after to the highest possible standard. Your dog’s luxury journey can begin right at your doorstop with the House of Mutt offering the option of a chauffeur service to transport between Suffolk and your own home. It’s understandable for any owner to be concerned about the welfare of their pet whilst they’re on holiday, but with a personal vet on site at the House of Mutt, each guest can be assured a safe stay with medical care on hand should it be needed. The House of Mutts traditional gardens, paddocks and nearby rivers provides the opportunity for long country walks, swimming in rivers and the chance to run free within the constraints of the ample grounds. Whilst many luxury holidays include an amazing array of foods and menus to choose from, the House of Mutt is a self-catering experience where canine guests enjoy the comfort and familiarity of home dining on their usual diet pre provided by owners. Everyone loves a souvenir of their trip away and dogs are no different. If you’re after something a little special, with prior notice, staff can arrange for the creation of a handmade collar, bespoke bed or portrait painting from wildlife artist Chris Winch. Sarah Mountford opened The House of Mutt after looking for a business she could run from home. Sarah said, “We started up in 2010 and have been delighted by the demand for this kind of service. Many of our regulars come four, five or even six times a year and greet us at the door like long, lost friends. It’s the kind of reaction you just can’t orchestrate and it’s great for owners to be able to go off on their own holiday knowing that their dogs are happily off on theirs!” Prices at The House of Mutt start at £39.50 a night with spaces limited to 10 dogs at any one time. Pet Resorts Australia It’s not just Britain that’s joining the market for luxury pet lodgings, Pet Resorts Australia currently have two luxury 5 star locations offering pet training, grooming and a comforting stay whilst you relax on your own holiday. Located just over an hour North of Sydney in the town of Terrigal, Pet Resorts newest location has been purpose built with luxury in mind. Amongst the impressive features, the resort offers a supervised swimming pool for doing laps and improving doggy fitness, rooms equipped with under floor heating for cool nights and air conditioning for those warm stuffy evenings, room service catering to even the fussiest of diets, an in-house professional groomer and lots of spacious playgrounds all in the surroundings of tropical Australia. Prices at the Terrigal resort start at $36.00 (£25) a night for small dogs and $40 (£27.50) a night for big dogs on a bronze package and go up to $95 a night for a luxury gold suite package featuring a fully furnished suite complete with a private courtyard and TV. Pet Resorts Australia aren’t only limited to dogs, they happily accommodate cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small furry animals. It’s important to remember that much in the way that you should take out travel insurance when you go on any holiday, for peace of mind it’s worth having a pet insurance policy in place. Many pet hotels and luxury pet resorts will have small business insurance in place that can provide added security whilst your pet is in their care. In the UK it’s common that insurance for kennels or catteries, will offer cover for vet fees resulting from an injury or illness that started while the pet was boarded there (but not before) or within 3 days of their departure. As ever, if you’re in any doubt, check with the establishment for details of their policy. Kate Rose is the Head of Travel Insurance at Confused.com. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.