Want a trip to London but don’t want to leave your beloved dog at home? The Arch (Great Cumberland Place near Marble Arch – right across from where Madonna lives) – a family run 5 star boutique hotel - positively welcomes dogs. I popped in to take a look at the doggy welcome on offer.
There’s a charming dog portrait on the reception wall – one of the many specially commissioned pieces of modern art at the hotel. And whilst the Hunter 486 restaurant (with a brand new wine menu) and champagne bar are out-of-bounds to four legged guests the hotel can arrange a dog sitter for you. Or they can arrange for your pooch to be pampered in Chelsea’s luxurious Pet Day Spa while you dine.
Dogs are allowed in the small study at the front of the hotel. They are also welcome in the magnificent Martini Library which is an elegant and calm space that’s full of character. There are modern leather club chairs, a stunning metal aeroplane sculpture, mirrors and shelves and fabulous formal sofas as well as tables where you can dine informally. And, of course, grab a martini.
But what really impressed me was the welcome given to dogs in the hotel rooms. I had a peek at the Abbey Suite (there are 82 bedrooms at the hotel which spans several town house buildings – and the ground floor suites can be interconnected if you have family members or friends with you).
The beautiful tastefully decorated huge room contained a sleeping area as well as several easy chairs around a coffee table and state-of-the-art television. There’s also a bijou terrace where you can sit outside and take in the evening air – and although there isn’t a view from the terrace it is exceptionally private and certainly your canine companion would not be able to escape.
And pride of place was given to a good-sized dog bed (we all know they like high sides so that they feel safe and squishy cushions to snuggle in) and a dog bowl containing a bottle of water and another containing a chewy treat. There was also a special dog menu! Options included poached chicken breast with white rice and grated carrot (£5), salmon and spinach with rice (£5) and even a vegetarian offer – spinach, beans, carrots and rice (£5). There’s also a kitchen area in the suite if you need to prepare your own dog treats.
What a fabulous place to stay with your pet. And with Hyde Park just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel there’s plenty of opportunity for lots of exercise too.
