Bath’s Homewood Hotel & Spa has been named as one of the world’s best venues for dog lovers in a major awards scheme.
Established by leading dog-friendly holiday company PetsPyjamas in 2014, the awards champion hotels, cottages, country houses and B&Bs in the UK and abroad where pooches – and their owners – can relax and put their paws up.
The judges said they loved the fact that Homewood guests could take their dog almost everywhere in the hotel – including its sitting rooms and bar – and that they even have a specially curated doggie menu.
The staffs’ super-friendly handling of canine guests and recommendations of local walks and pubs for dogs close by also scored highly.
Homewood, which has 21 bedrooms along with a 10-bedroom lodge that opened last year, was one of 12 Dog-Friendly Travel Award winners.
PetsPyjamas managing director James Williams said: “The canine population has grown massively since the first lockdown, so the hospitality industry has really stepped up their game when it comes to welcoming four-legged friends.
“Having been at the forefront of dog-friendly holidays since 2014, PetsPyjamas really knows what makes the perfect dog-cation and our awards recognise the properties that excel in their own breed of break.”
Homewood Hotel & Spa general manager Ed Fitzpatrick added: “Given our rural location just on the outskirts of Bath, we absolutely love welcoming dogs and their owners to Homewood to explore the hotel and great outdoors.
“Amongst the team we have many dog owners who take great pride in personalising our guests’ and dogs’ experience – therefore, collectively, we are delighted to see this hard work pay off with this award!”
The awards take into consideration factors ranging from a dog-loving atmosphere and staff at all times and three or more dog-friendly bedrooms to special pet menus and dog facilities and provisions such as a bed, bowls and treats in the property.
The other winners were the De Vere Cotswold Water Park, Gloucestershire; Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, Oxfordshire; Wilderness Reserve, Suffolk; The Three Blackbirds, Suffolk; Merry Harriers, Surrey; Mill End Hotel, Devon; The Lygon Arms, Worcestershire; High Ridge Barn, Staffordshire; The King's Head Inn, North Yorkshire; South Lodge Hotel & Spa, West Sussex; and The Bell In Ticehurst, East Sussex.
Last month Homewood, pictured, which is owned by Bath-based boutique hotel group Kaleidoscope Collection, was accepted into the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an exclusive collection of 520 independently owned hotels in 90 countries that are united in their independently minded approach.
