Pawprints & Pillow Mints: Our Dog-Friendly Hotel Tour 2025
“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort,” Jane Austen once wrote — though I dare say, she might have gladly revised her opinion had she joined us on the @KitchenChat 2025 Luxury, History & Hospitality™ Tour with my friend of 41 years, Margaret.
🐾✨ Two unforgettable weeks, twelve beautiful hotels, countless treats, and endless wagging tails. We journeyed through some of the UK and France’s most iconic, storied, and beautifully indulgent hotels, accompanied by fine food, good company, and my ever-willing canine companions, George and Lulu. Each hotel along the way had its own story — some whispered of Georgian elegance, others of grand 1930s glamour, and a warm welcome for our four-legged travel companions.
These are the remarkable places we called home along the way, some re-visits and new ones to add to our Travel Lists.
Here’s a little introduction to the places we were lucky enough to call home on this remarkable journey:
🏨 Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon, TQ13 8HH
A secluded country house hotel on the edge of Dartmoor, known for its Michelin-starred dining, woodland walks, and storybook English charm. Perfect for lovers of nature, fine food, and fireside retreats.
It’s an absolute joy to wander Gidleigh Park’s beautiful grounds with the dogs. They were thoroughly spoiled with their own Gidleigh Park biscuits, while we were handed a charming walking map to help us explore the woodland paths, streams, and gardens at our own pace. The estate is wonderfully dog-friendly — the only place off-limits is the restaurant, but with so many places to roam, firesides to snooze by, and friendly faces along the way, no one seemed to mind.
🏨 The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, 16 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LS
An elegant Georgian townhouse hotel occupying Nos. 15 & 16 of Bath’s famous Royal Crescent. A romantic base for exploring the Roman Baths, Jane Austen’s city, and relaxing in the secret rear gardens and spa. Our second visit to Bath and our second stay here.
Four-legged guests are warmly welcomed throughout most of the property, with the only exceptions being the restaurant, Montagu’s Mews, and the Spa. On arrival, our pups were presented with their beds, towels, and bowls, along with a charming Dog Welcome Pack featuring a tennis ball, biodegradable poo bags, and tasty chews. The kind of thoughtful, fuss-free hospitality makes humans and hounds feel perfectly at home.
🏨 Brown’s Hotel, 33 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP
This is a familiar place for us. We’ve stayed and ate at their restaurant, Charlie’s and afternoon tea. This time we dropped in to check out the newly launched Mayfair Bun created by chef Ross Sneddon.
🏨 The Peninsula London, 1 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HJ
London’s newest grande dame, perched beside Hyde Park Corner. A glamorous fusion of Asian hospitality and British refinement, with a rooftop restaurant, serene spa, and impeccable Belgravia views.
Dogs are warmly welcomed at the hotel and in every restaurant at The Peninsula, where they enjoy the finest beds and a truly gracious reception.
🏨 Maison Delano, 4 Rue d’Anjou, 75008 Paris, France
A fresh, intimate five-star hideaway in an 18th-century mansion in the 8th arrondissement. Chic, discreet, and designed for modern romantics, with a beautiful courtyard restaurant and an effortlessly Parisian mood.
We didn’t dine there, but dogs are welcome in the restaurant.
🏨 The Peninsula Paris, 19 Avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris, France
A palatial Parisian address near the Arc de Triomphe, blending Belle Époque glamour with contemporary luxury. Known for its rooftop restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, lavish suites, and one of the city’s best spas.
Monogrammed mats, and we could dine with Lulu in all their restaurants. As with all our experiences with Peninsula Hotels, and this is my seventh, four with dogs, and they are all very dog-friendly.
🏨 Hôtel Plaza Athénée, 25 Av. Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France
An icon of Parisian elegance on the Avenue Montaigne, Hôtel Plaza Athénée has long been a favourite of fashion icons, artists, and romantics alike. Its famous red awnings, glittering Eiffel Tower views, and opulent interiors make it a hotel where old-world glamour meets contemporary luxury.
We didn’t stay here, but we had Afternoon Tea. Dogs are warmly welcomed.
🏨 Airelles Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle, 12 Rue de l’Indépendance Américaine, 78000 Versailles, France
A fairytale retreat within the gates of the Château de Versailles. Expect antique-filled rooms, private palace tours, courtiers at your door with breakfast, and dinners by candlelight — a true royal fantasy.
And yes, well-behaved dogs are just as cosseted. They’re offered treats, beds, and a warm welcome, padding contentedly through salons where royal paws may once have trod.
🏨 Claridge’s, Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR
The epitome of timeless London glamour. A Mayfair icon beloved by royalty, film stars, and discerning travellers alike, with art deco interiors, Michelin-star dining, and discreet, impeccable service. This is a home away from home – for when we want a bit of pampering.
We’ve stayed several times at this iconic Mayfair hotel and have always been greeted with genuine warmth. As hotel guests, we’re delighted to enjoy Afternoon Tea in the elegant Foyer Reading Room.
🏨 The Dorchester, 45 Park Lane, London W1K 1QA
A legendary Park Lane landmark since 1931. Known for its bold glamour, famous afternoon tea, The Promenade, and classic British hospitality. A grand hotel with a lively heart.
We didn’t expect the dogs to be part of Afternoon Tea until I spotted a furry guest already enjoying The Promenade. On a whim, I asked if my pups could join us, as long as they stayed in a bag. I didn’t have any bags with me, but no worries: the staff happily provided stylish Mutts & Hound bags for them. Soon enough, my dogs were settled in, much to everyone’s delight!
🏨 Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
A luxurious retreat overlooking Hyde Park, combining Edwardian elegance with Asian-influenced calm. Famed for its spa, Michelin-starred restaurants, and coveted park-facing rooms.
Things have changed since our last stay here during the COVID-19 staycations. Back then, dogs weren’t allowed in any food and beverage areas. But now, we’ve enjoyed Sunday brunch at The Aubrey, and more recently, we’re delighted to be welcomed in The Rosebery and the beautiful garden space of Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant. Seeing the hotel evolving to include our four-legged friends even more warmly is wonderful. We were given Teddy Maximus dog beds, toys, and bowls in the rooms.
🏨 The Langham, 1C Portland Place, London W1B 1JA
One of London’s original grand hotels, opened in 1865. A blend of heritage and modern luxury, with elegant rooms, afternoon tea at Palm Court, and a prime West End location.
While dogs are welcomed at the hotel, they could not join us at the restaurants.
🏨 Estelle Manor, Eynsham Park, Witney OX29 6PN
A bold, playful country house hotel set in 85 acres of Oxfordshire parkland. Think velvet-draped salons, Roman-inspired baths, woodland lodges, and modern feasting. A lively escape with old-world charm.
Well-behaved dogs are not just tolerated here, they’re genuinely welcomed. They’re allowed almost everywhere — including by the pool — except for the Spa. Without question, this is one of the most dog-friendly, effortlessly gracious places we’ve stayed during the entire adventure. And trust me, we’ve been spoiled.
🏨 The Cadogan, 75 Sloane St, London SW1X 9SG
A refined Chelsea townhouse hotel with a literary past — once home to Oscar Wilde. Sophisticated, intimate, and steps from Sloane Street’s boutiques and the King’s Road’s bohemian history.
This is a favourite, and I have stayed a few times. I spent Christmas here one year with Darcy and George. They have always been very dog-friendly from the start. Specially baked biscuits, and we are allowed in their LaLee restaurant and cafe as well as the Tea Lounge.
It’s been a joy to see so many of the UK and France’s most iconic hotels rolling out the red carpet for their canine guests, with fluffed beds, specially baked biscuits, and in some cases, menus of their very own. These gracious, dog-friendly stays turned our adventures into something truly special.
As we pause for a well-earned rest, our hearts (and paws) are already dreaming of where to next. 🐶💫
