Traveling In The UK With Feline Companions? Discover Our Favourite Luxury Hotels Which Guarantee a Purr-Fect Stay

In the summer we travelled through France (read our pet-friendly luxury Bordeaux hotel review here) and around Spain (read our review of pet-friendly NH Collection Villa de Bilbao) and marvelled at the number of hotels that not only allow dogs to stay but also cats – this it turns out is due to Spain’s new Animal Welfare Law which came into force in March 2023 recognising animals as sentient beings, capable of feeling emotions and pain. Along with a raft of new regulations, a surprise requirement is that pets must now be allowed in all public spaces – transport (including flights), bars, restaurants and even hotels – a win for anyone wanting to take their pet travelling with them now.

Whilst the UK still has some way to catch up with Spain we are seeing an uptake in establishments becoming more pet-friendly and at some hotels, it’s not just dogs that are welcome, the invitation also extends to our feline companions too.

Read our guide to the best luxury pet accessories

We have been on a quest to discover the ‘purr-fect’ luxury pet-friendly luxury hotels across the UK and have reviewed properties that offer guest quarters that are ‘pawsitively’ stunning along with personalised services like gourmet welcome treats and cosy corners for your cat to feel at home. So whether you and your cat want to lounge around or explore a city, these hotels ensure that both of you can ‘paws’ and relax in true style…..(we promise no more puns!)

Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa – Glasgow

Experience the timeless elegance of the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa a landmark property in Glasgow and also the city’s only five-star property. Located in a stunning Georgian building overlooking historic Blythswood Square gardens, this beautiful hotel seamlessly blends rich history with contemporary luxury. Enjoy superior service, and luxuriously appointed rooms, along with its destination spa which cannot be missed, it’s an underground sanctuary of relaxation. Its seafood-influenced restaurant offers seasonal dining and classic cocktails, and all Kimpton hotels offer guests free wine and beer each day from 4 pm to 5 pm as part of its ‘social hour’ concept which takes place in the lobby of the hotel.

Kimpton Hotels was one of the very first global hotel brands to the pet party when it instituted a non-speciesist policy that welcomed all animals, of all sizes, at every hotel. The Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa follows this ethos and allows you to bring a furry, feathery or scaly family member no matter their size, weight, or breed, at no extra charge. If your pet fits through the front door, they will welcome them in along with supplying all the goodies you need to keep your pet pampered.

You will receive a genuinely warm welcome from the staff and in fact when we were there we noticed two or three other guests who also had their pet dogs with them, there is also a dog-walking service available.

We stayed in a King Premium Garden View room, along with beautiful views over Blythswood Square Gardens (plenty for cats to look at when they are at the windows) and an indulgent top-to-toe marble finish bathroom. These rooms also have lots of space.

Staff had also kindly left a high quality pet bed, bowl and toys, which is not only super cute but also psychologically officially marks animals as welcome guests so no need to sneak them through reception.

Additionally, there isn’t a charge or increased deposit (which some hotels do in relation to their pet policy). However, and understandably the hotel reserves the right to bill your credit card if your pet decides to have a Rolling Stones moment and go on a room-wrecking spree.

Our cats like to get outside, so a walk is essential (yes they are lead-trained!) and the hotel faces onto Blythswood Square Gardens which are private gardens that hotel guests have access to offering a wonderful leafy sanctuary for your cat (or dog) to explore.

The Reach at Piccadilly, Manchester – A Tribute Portfolio Hotel – Manchester

The Reach at Piccadilly, Manchester – a Tribute Portfolio Hotel within Marriott Bonvoy’s collection – honours the city’s industrial heritage and its pioneering past. Located in the centre of Manchester, just a 90-second walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station, The Reach at Piccadilly offers a chic design, featuring 215 stylish guest rooms, eight suites, and a ground-floor restaurant and bar: Lock 84.

The hotel’s design draws from Manchester’s industrial roots, reflecting its history as ‘Cottonopolis,’ the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The 11-storey building on Ducie Street overlooks the Rochdale Canal, historically used for coal transport, with decor inspired by this rich heritage. Guests can enjoy nautically themed, nostalgic interiors, quality craftsmanship, and greenery throughout. The hotel’s canalside location influences its use of activated charcoal toiletries and a twist on the historic ‘fourpenny’ drink.

Lock 84 serves all-day dining with speciality small plates, using sustainably sourced, seasonal ingredients from local suppliers. The menu, featuring a Japanese-style grill and a variety of British dishes, offers everything from a la carte breakfast to tailored tasting menus, complemented by an excellent selection of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks.

This beautiful new property in the centre of Manchester allows pets up to 20kg to stay and a max of one pet per room (they kindly allowed both cats) and a non-refundable pet fee of £30 is charged for furry guests. The lobby is pet friendly and we even took them into the bar in the evening for an after-dinner cocktail.

We received a very warm welcome from the staff and on leaving we had a send-off from about eight staff who wanted to see the cats and get a picture. We stayed in a Delux Double with Balcony, staff had set up a water bowl and teepee for the cats, and the floor-to-ceiling windows provided the cats with a cat-height window to look out of.

Whilst it’s the centre of Manchester and bustling, directly adjacent to the hotel is Rochdale Canal which is a pocket of calm and ideal for a cat (or dog walk) if your pet needs a leg stretch.

Elmbank York, Tapestry Collection by Hilton – York

Just minutes from the heart of York, boutique hotel, the Elmbank Hotel is steeped in 19th-century history. Redesigned by George Walton, a contemporary of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the hotel boasts one of the UK’s most complete Art Nouveau collections.

Be greeted by stunning stained glass, murals, and intricate stencils as you make your way to the thoughtfully designed and elegantly styled guest quarters. Its 61 bedrooms are adorned with unique artwork celebrating Elmbank’s significant Yorkshire heritage en-suite bathrooms with hand-crafted GOLEM tiles, (some with roll-top baths), flatscreen TVs, WiFi, and facilities for Yorkshire Tea and Nespresso coffee.

Elmbank’s Leetham’s Brasserie serves seasonal dishes, while Peacock Bar, invites you to relax at the marble-topped bar or on plush sofas surrounded by original Art Nouveau treasures.

The Elmbank York is presented in three areas, the main house, lodge and courtyard rooms. Pets are welcome in the courtyard rooms, which is really convenient as this room category can be accessed via the hotel in addition to directly through the car park making it easy to get your pet to your room without navigating them through the main house which is quite big.

The courtyard area is also ideal for pets as it’s an enclosed outdoor area they can explore and courtyard rooms also have a bedroom door along with a porch door, so if your pet makes a dash for it there is a second secure door in the way. A very warm welcome was given from the staff and they had even put some cat treats in the room as a welcome gift.

Oban Bay Hotel – Oban

Book a room with a view, in this all-Scottish destination hotel, where the traditions of the highlands are blended with contemporary style and amenities. Situated along the tranquil waters of the Firth of Lorn, the Oban Bay Hotel offers a stunning backdrop for a getaway in the west of Scotland.

Just a short walk from Oban’s town centre, it’s perfectly located for those seeking a peaceful retreat, yet close enough to explore the local attractions such as Oban Distillery and scenic ferry trips to the Isles. Enjoy the finest Scottish seafood and beef in The Grill Room and book a one-of-a-kind outdoor spa experience in their Thermal Spa.

They really put the red carpet out for pets at the Oban Bay Hotel, dogs and cats are welcomed with open arms, and they even have a doggy wall of fame (perhaps it will have two cats on it now!). Our beautiful room had cat toys and treats galore, they had even put up two window beds so the cats could enjoy the uninterrupted vistas of the Firth of Lorn.

The Lanesborough – London

The Lanesbourgh take all things feline very seriously they even have their own hotel cat called Lilibet a Siberian Forest Cat (who I have had the pleasure of meeting). Lilibet arrived as a kitten at the hotel in 2019 and she has called The Lanesborough her home ever since, and having a cat around has become something of a trademark within the Oetker Collection’s Masterpiece Hotels as she also joins Burmese cat Socrate from Le Bristol Paris.

I stayed in The Lanesbourough pre being a cat owner, so I can’t comment in great detail about their pet policy, however, the hotel is breathtaking and one of the most beautiful in London and with such attention to detail I can imagine that any cat or dog will certainly be given five-star treatment during their stay here.

We are always on the purr-suit to discover and feature the best luxury hotels in the UK, if you would like us to feature your property please contact us to discuss further.