Hoomans are inseparable from their furkids, and hotels are making it easier for both to enjoy a holiday together
Japan
In Japan, 17 per cent of properties advertise as pet-friendly, according to Metro-Engines Research, but with 15.9 million pet cats and dogs nationwide — more than the number of children under the age of 15 — The Japan Travel Bureau Foundation expects demand for pet-friendly accommodation to grow rapidly.
For dog owners, options range from luxury to budget, but 65 per cent fall in the mid- to high-end tiers, and the majority are in resort areas.
One established player is Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa, in Kanagawa Prefecture. Each of its six dog-friendly rooms is at least 72m2 and equipped with an enclosed balcony. Guests and their dogs can indulge in room service together; nutritionist-approved canine options include chicken sautéed with rosemary, garlic and olive oil.
The dog-exclusive floor is accessible via a dedicated route from the parking area, designed “to ensure convenient and stress-free access” for all, according to the hotel. On check-in, staff can take dogs for grooming and return them to the guest’s room on completion. Dog-sitting is available from 10.00 to 19.00.
Other accommodation are solely for guests with dogs. Dog Hotel Shirahama, in Wakayama Prefecture, which opened in 2025, is based on the concept of ‘the dog is the star’, said a spokesperson, adding that staff are “committed to creating a space where dogs can be refreshed”.
Guestrooms feature non-slip antibacterial flooring and soundproofed wall materials. Each has its own open-air bath fed by hot spring water, and dogs can experience the same water via a paw bath and aromatherapy oil treatment.
The hotel also has three dog runs, a café and laundry facilities for dogs, which are welcome throughout the property while leashed.
Another new market entrant is Doggy’s Coast Oarai, in Ibaraki Prefecture, which offers ocean-view rooms furnished with a dog bed, bowls and a toilet tray. Other items such as strollers, raincoats and crates can be rented. Owners can make use of the mini-kitchen just for dogs, complete with fridge, microwave, dog food and health-promoting drinks including strawberry goat milk. There is also a self-service grooming room.
Glamping facility Memoria Collina Izu80, Shizuoka Prefecture, meanwhile, opened in 2024 but made all of its domes suitable for dogs in May 2026. Specialising in farming experiences, campfires and stargazing, it offers a completely fenced campsite so “dogs can play freely and owners can keep an eye on their dogs at all times”, said a spokesperson.
With pet tourism a focal point of the Japan Management Association’s Hotel Restaurant Show, a B2B event scheduled for July 2026 in Osaka, pet-friendly accommodation are set to become increasingly considered by hospitality providers. – Kathryn Wortley
Australia
Travelling with pets is becoming easier in Australia as hotels, transport operators and destinations increasingly redesign their products for travellers who consider pets part of the family.
Luxury hotels are moving beyond simply allowing pets to stay, creating curated experiences that welcome both owners and their companions while balancing the needs of guests travelling without animals.
For Kimpton Margot Sydney, pet-friendly hospitality is central to the guest experience rather than an extra.
“Pets aren’t simply accommodated, they’re genuinely welcomed as valued guests and part of the family,” said Christina Grasso, general manager, Kimpton Margot Sydney.
Pets receive their own plush bed, bowls, treats and concierge guide to nearby parks, cafés, groomers and boutiques, while a dedicated in-room dining menu and access to selected hotel bars ensure they can enjoy the Kimpton experience alongside their owners.
Ovolo Hotels has taken a similarly experience-led approach through its dedicated V.I.Pooch programme. Along with in-room pet amenities, the programme includes partner benefits ranging from premium pet food and grooming to pet photography, accessories and dog-friendly experiences.
The trend extends beyond accommodation to some destinations themselves. Visit Victoria has curated dedicated Victoria for Dogs itineraries showcasing pet-friendly accommodation, wineries, cafés, beaches, walking trails and attractions across the state.
Transport operators are also adapting. Spirit of Tasmania’s new vessels, expected to enter service from late October, will introduce 18 pet-friendly cabins alongside upgraded climate-controlled kennels staffed by Pet Attendants trained by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“Travelling with pets is becoming increasingly important for many domestic travellers. For many passengers, pets are part of the family, and the ability to bring them can influence travel planning and destination choice,” a Spirit of Tasmania spokesperson said.
Virgin Australia has also expanded pet-inclusive travel, with Adelaide becoming the latest city to offer its Pets in Cabin service following the successful Melbourne-to-Gold Coast trial, which began in October 2025. Subject to final airport approvals, the airline intends to make the service a standard offering on eligible flights from next year.
“We’ve seen an overwhelmingly positive response to the Pets in Cabin service, with almost 1,500 pets travelling on Virgin Australia flights since the programme launched in October,” Libby Minogue, chief marketing and customer operations officer, Virgin Australia, said in a media statement. – Adelaine Ng
Singapore
Welcome to the era of the VIP: Very Important Pet. As more people regard their pets as family, hotels in Singapore are extending the same warm welcome to four-legged guests as they do to their humans, with pet-friendly stays evolving beyond a simple “pets allowed” policy into thoughtfully designed experiences with plush beds, welcome treats and spaces where dogs can play.
Newer hotels such as Mett Singapore, QT Singapore, Artyzen and The Standard, Singapore are leading the pack with dedicated packages. At The Standard, for instance, dogs can romp around The Garden, a purpose-built outdoor area, while their owners relax nearby.
While most stays cater primarily to dogs, selected properties, including Capella Singapore, Conrad Singapore Orchard and Amara Sanctuary Singapore, also welcome feline guests.
Capella Singapore, one of the city’s early adopters, continues to see steady demand and repeat guests who return precisely because they can bring their furkids along. Pets receive beds, bowls and treats, and are welcome at designated alfresco dining areas at Fiamma, Bob’s Bar and Cassia, where cushions and water bowls can be arranged.
“By welcoming pets as part of the Capella experience, we helped to shift the perception that pet stays can be integrated in the overall guest journey and experience,” said Christian Westbeld, regional general manager, Southeast Asia, Capella Singapore. “Many guests value enjoying the same level of personalised hospitality with their pets.”
Conrad Singapore Orchard takes a similarly considered approach. Its Pawfect Getaway includes a personalised in-room check-in, a dedicated Pet Cubes dining menu, and access to Dolcetto’s outdoor terrace. Concierge-curated walking routes make the most of its proximity to the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Behind the welcome lies careful operational planning, say management teams at the various hotels. At Conrad, pet stays are allocated to specific floors, animals are restricted to designated common areas, and rooms undergo enhanced cleaning and inspection after departure. Staff are trained to ask before approaching pets, recognise signs of anxiety, and respond discreetly to guests with allergies, fears or a preference for pet-free surroundings.
Thomas Hoeborn, general manager of Conrad Singapore Orchard, told TTG Asia: “A successful pet programme needs to be considerate of every guest. These boundaries allow us to welcome pets warmly without assuming that everyone is equally comfortable around them.”
The fur-loving trend extends beyond hotel stays. Dogs can cruise aboard the Royal Albatross tall ship, ride free on selected Singapore Sidecars tours, or fly with SingaPaw Air, a private-jet charter service designed for travellers with pets. Or, pet owners requiring longer stays of six nights or more could consider serviced apartments by Fraser Suites and Fraser Residences.
Meanwhile at The Standard, pet owners love the hotel’s characteristically playful spin with its Pet Obsessed package including The Standard Guide for Dogs and Scoop Dog puppy ice cream. Guests have booked stays for canine birthday celebrations and its in-house Pup Up Club has even staged pet fashion shows and animal communication sessions.
General manager Amy Lu said: “Around here, everyone deserves a good experience, including the ones with paws.” – Karen Tee
Thailand
The hospitality landscape in Bangkok is undergoing a furry transformation, with many hotels now curating memorable stays for both humans and their animal companions.
At the forefront is Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, which has welcomed pets since its debut in October 2020, and whose lobby is always actively bustling with furry friends.
“We’ve been pet-friendly – as is every Kimpton property – since we opened in October 2020,” shared Patrick Both, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok’s general manager, mentioning that “it was never an add-on”.
At the core of this approach is one of the most unique pet-friendly policies in the city: any pet capable of fitting inside the elevator is warmly welcomed. The property emphasises genuine openness by eliminating restrictive rules regarding specific breeds, sizes, or weight limits and entirely waiving extra pet fees.
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok actively curates spaces and activities for animals, offering designated pet floors, a specialised menu that allows dogs to dine with their owners at Craft, and a dog park map highlighting nearby green spaces like the Lumpini and Benjakitti parks. It also hosts informal get-togethers from time to time to bring the pet community together.
“What’s telling is that most of that community is local – Bangkok residents and their pets – which says this is as much about the city as it is about travellers passing through,” Both said, emphasising that the operational side “comes down to thoughtful design and clear guidance”.
“When a guest is travelling with a pet, we use a door-hanger so the team knows before they enter the room. Behind the scenes, we’ve selected specific cleaning products and adjusted the cleaning schedules for those rooms, and we chose hypoallergenic nylon carpeting that’s easy to keep spotless without sacrificing the feel of a luxury room,” he elaborated, adding that the hotel staff are trained with practical guidelines for the different situations that come up with pets and their owners.
Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong recently introduced the Paws Stay Free #ATTHEMOXY package, available for stays through September 2026. The initiative waives the cleaning fee and provides a pet welcome set for dogs and cats weighing up to seven kilograms, allowing up to two pets per room. Moxy requires pets to be leashed or placed in carriers in public spaces, and mandates valid vaccination certificates upon check-in. The property also notes that service animals are welcome at all times without additional charges, unless damage occurs.
Meanwhile, since 2024, InnSide by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit has welcomed canine companions. The hotel is dog-friendly, with furry visitors receiving curated amenities such as beds, bowls, and welcome snacks, and granted access to designated areas like the Open Living Lounge and upper deck. The property charges a supplemental fee of 1,200 baht (US$36) per night for one dog in a standard room, or two dogs for 2,000 baht in a Townhouse room.
Beyond these hotels, Thailand offers many other accommodating options for travelling pets. The Standard’s Bangkok, Hua Hin and Pattaya properties are dog-friendly, and many Ibis properties around the country also actively welcome pets, such as ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit Phra Khanong, which is both cat- and dog-friendly, and announced recently that it welcomes up to four pets of all sizes and breeds for only 499 baht per pet per night. – Anne Somanas
