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Privacy NoticeNo matter who you are or what you do, day-to-day life can get pretty overwhelming at times and taking a trip to a spa makes for the perfect antidote. But, it’s not just us humans who can benefit from a little TLC in the form of a relaxing spa retreat or pamper session – our four legged canine friends can too. Given that we’re a nation of animal lovers, dogs are often more pampered than their owners! So, what better way to indulge your four-legged friend than with a stay at a five-star country hotel? Our OK! reporter has tested out the one location that’s top dog when it comes to providing the perfect sanctuary for you and your pooch, and reveals the other hound-friendly hotspots deserving a visit… Ellenborough Park, Gloucestershire This has to be one of the most dog-friendly places in the UK. Everything is thought through from the water and food bowl in your room to the special doggie menu.
Alfie at Ellenborough Dog Spa in Gloucestershire
Ellenborough Park is filled with lots of little touches that have been designed with dogs in mind
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The hotel has 14 dog-friendly rooms and our Alfie, a bichon frise/shih tzu, had the best time. Often when you take your pets away, you feel as if they could be in the way or annoying other customers, but not here. Wherever Alfie went he was treated like one of the family by the staff, with friendly pats on his head, ruffles of his fur and timely water bowls appearing out of nowhere. Meanwhile the foodie doggie treats included tapas of Sunday roast bones, sausage dogs and bark burgers for £6 or the more gourmet Sir Woofchester delights of chicken roast dinner and fish and chips dinner for £6. And if your pet is on their best behaviour, there are even good doggie lollipops for £2.50. Dogs are so welcome that you can bring them as your plus one in the hotel’s Horse Box Brasserie. It has the same menu as the more formal The Restaurant, but here your pooch can lie at your feet while you enjoy the most delicious food, more on that below. Paws time The hotel, whose main building is a 15th century manor house, is set in 90 acres of grounds overlooking Cheltenham racecourse, so there are plenty of areas for your hound to go walkies and run off their gourmet dinner.
The venue is set across 90 acres of land
There’s plenty of space for dogs, and their humans, to explore
And if like Alfie, you happen to roll in mud of the not so wholesome variety, their outdoor Paw Spa has everything you need to get your pet back to their fragrant best. The nearby boot room also has a basket of grooming goodies from shampoo to towels in case you forget to pack them. What’s the food like? Humans are well catered for in the Horse Box Brasserie and The Restaurant and walk-in guests are welcome. We had the most delicious pea velouté and a cep risotto with parmesan and truffle. If you still have room, the cheese board for one is enough to share with dairy delights from Somerset and the Jurassic Coast. There is also a very moreish afternoon tea for £35.
The venue has a dedicated ‘doggie menu’
Pooches are given some delicious sounding meals
For overnighters, make the most of their breakfasts – the substantial continental is laid out in a very impressive book-lined room with fresh fruit, muesli, sourdough bread and croissants while the hot menu has everything from smoked kippers to the totally tasty and colourful vegan breakfast. Outside too there are plenty of places to sip a glass of rosé come summertime and cosy carriages to catch up with friends. What else? As Ellenborough Park looks over Cheltenham racecourse, it is hugely popular with the racing fraternity. Horse trainer Jonjo O’Neill has stables nearby and there is lots of equestrian memorabilia dotted around the hotel. It is a perfect location if you want to explore the Cotswolds too.
Ellenborough Park is the perfect place to kick back and relax
Our room was super cosy with underfloor heating in the bathroom and Noble Isle products. The design of the room is understated country with muted tones, heavy drapes and crisp white bed linen. There is also a huge outdoor pool, which even when we visited on a grey day, was warm enough to swim in. Pop into the spa too where the sauna, steam and jacuzzi will soothe any dog-tired muscles. How to book Nightly rates at Ellenborough Park start from £269 inclusive of VAT and breakfast based on a Cosy Double room sleeping two people. There is a £30 charge per dog per night. For more information visit https://www.ellenboroughpark.com Ellenborough Park isn’t the only place that’ll have both you and your four legged friends feeling paw-some. Here’s some more dog-friendly accommodations in the UK that are well worth a visit… Cheshire charm Flat Cap Hotels in Cheshire offers three unique Grade II listed buildings for your canine. The properties – The Vicarage in Cranage, The Bridge in Prestbury and The Courthouse in Knutsford – are about 30 minutes from Manchester. There’s doggy prosecco or beer, a sausage breakfast and a Flat Cap dog tag on offer while you can enjoy the wonderful locally sourced food. Rooms from £165, for more visit https://www.flatcaphotels.com
Dog spas are the perfect way to show your pooches some love
Fit for a King To celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation, Seaham Hall in County Durham is offering owners of King Charles Cavalier Spaniels the chance of a free night, if you book a three night stay from May 1 to June 30. The pampered pets will receive an in-room ‘pup-pack’ – complete with bowls, towels and treats including pawsecco. Nightly rates at Seaham Hall start from £295 in a Junior Suite on a B&B basis. For more, visit https://www.seaham-hall.co.uk Japanese inspo The Prince Akatoki in London offers a Japanese turndown for your dog. On arrival they will be given a cosy bed, bowl and a bespoke hamper including a natural rope bone, shampoo, nose balm and treats. They can also get a specially adapted à la carte meal and the hotel has dog walkers to take your pooch to nearby Hyde Park or Regent’s Park. Rooms from £400 per night based on two adults sharing on a B&B basis. For more visit https://www.theprinceakatokilondon.com Coast along The brilliantly titled Epic Pet Lodge with Luxury Lodges is the perfect get-away-from-it-all for you and your dog. With three cosy bedrooms and an open-plan living area at the Dylan Coastal Resort, you can make the most of what this beautiful part of Carmarthenshire has to offer. You also have your own hot tub. Midweek out of season breaks at Luxury Lodges Epic Pet Lodge start from £649. For more visit www.luxurylodges.com READ MORE: Click here for today’s top showbiz news ‘I visited Palm Island for the views but ended up swimming with giant turtles’ ‘I went to Nashville to discover Music City and recorded my own country song’ ‘I went to Italy’s Bologna for an olive oil massage and tasted bolognese I’ll never forget’ Get exclusive celebrity stories and shoots straight to your inbox with OK!’s daily newsletter Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnTravel
