Dog-friendly hotels in London: where your dog is actually welcome
London is increasingly dog-friendly — but hotel policies are set property by property, and "pets allowed" on a listing can mean anything from a doggy welcome pack to a stiff fee and a 10 kg limit. Here's how to find the genuine article.
By The Hotella editors · Updated
London has a solid stock of dog-friendly hotels, from budget chains to luxury properties that provide beds and bowls. Most charge a nightly or per-stay fee and many set a weight limit. The easiest bases are near the big parks — Hyde Park, Regent's Park, Hampstead Heath and Greenwich Park — and you should always confirm the fee and rules directly, as policies differ even within the same chain.
Getting around with a dog
Dogs travel free on the Underground, buses and most trains in London, which makes the city unusually easy without a car. Pubs are traditionally dog-friendly; restaurants less so, though terraces and a growing number of cafés welcome them.
The practical planning question is your day out: if the itinerary is museums and theatres, check whether your hotel allows the dog to stay in the room, or plan a sitter.
Why policies vary so much
In the UK, pet rules are set at property level, not brand level. The fee, the size limit and the areas of the hotel open to dogs are all local decisions — which is why the filter is only the first step and the hotel's own policy is the document that matters.
Step by step
1. Filter, then read the actual policy
The pet-friendly filter finds candidates; the hotel's own policy page tells you the fee, weight limit and whether dogs may be left in the room. Read it — two hotels in the same chain can have opposite rules.
2. Stay near a park
Paddington and Bayswater border Hyde Park; Bloomsbury is near Regent's Park; Hampstead has the Heath; Greenwich has the park and the river. Morning walks are the difference between a good stay and a stressful one.
3. Ask about the practical extras
Some hotels provide dog beds, bowls and treats; others allow dogs in the bar but not the restaurant. A short message before booking tells you which kind of welcome to expect.
4. Compare totals including the fee
Pet supplements are paid at the hotel and sit outside the booking price. The live price box on this page shows a current London total — add the fee when comparing properties.
Frequently asked questions
- Do London hotels charge for dogs?
- Most charge a nightly or per-stay supplement, paid at the hotel. Amounts vary widely, so add the fee to your comparison rather than choosing on the room rate alone.
- Can I take my dog on the London Underground?
- Yes — dogs travel free on the Tube, buses, Overground and most National Rail services in London, on a lead or in a carrier.
- Are there weight limits in London dog-friendly hotels?
- Frequently — many properties cap dog weight or allow one dog per room. Check the hotel's own pet policy before booking, as limits differ even within the same chain.
- Which London area is best with a dog?
- Parkside neighbourhoods: Bayswater or Paddington for Hyde Park, Bloomsbury for Regent's Park, Hampstead for the Heath, or Greenwich for park and riverside walks.