Headed to Australia’s capital and looking for a place to stay with man’s best friend?
From large hotel chains to quaint, private cottages, our recommendations list will help you find the top 10 dog-friendly hotels in Canberra!
Abode Apartment Hotels
Whilst some hotels allow for our furry friends, it’s not always possible to keep our four-legged companions in a seven by nine foot space. Abode offer apartment spaces by the night (either studio or with separate bedrooms). If you have a breed of dog that tends to the larger size, these hotels could be a fantastic option for you! Not only will Fido have a little extra space to stretch their legs, most of the rooms include a kitchenette and dish-washing facilities so your doggo can eat by your side. As all rooms in Canberra Abodes are specifically assigned as pet-friendly or not, we recommend booking in advance so you don’t miss out on snagging one of the furry-friendly spots! There’s also plenty of choice of location, as Abode have hotels across the ACT.
Pacific Suites Canberra
Pacific Suites offer one or two bedroom serviced apartments in Braddon, Canberra. This suburb of Canberra is known for cultural history with modern architecture, fabulous street art and festivals dedicated to artisan beers and handmade crafts. With high review rates, onsite parking and free wifi, Pacific Suites is well received by its human guests but just as much so by their doggy companions. Just specify a pet-friendly room at booking or, after confirming your room, contact the hotel directly with your pet’s breed and information. They even have their own Paw Policy! There are no restrictions on assistance or service animals.
River Motel Queanbeyan
Technically located in New South Wales but only just across the border, the River Motel is a short bus ride from everything you may need in central Canberra. Whether you choose to stay in one of their motel rooms or one of their larger suites, you’ll be directly on the riverbank, with a view of winding waterways and pretty greenery. Any furry companion will love to explore the local area for those oh so necessary toilet breaks! With local shops and restaurants just a stone’s throw from accommodations you can either self-cater in the suites or nip out for a meal with or without your four-legged friend sans worry that they’ll be on their own for too long. As pet-friendly options are limited in number, we recommend booking in advance to ensure availability.
The Evergreen Bed and Breakfast
A more intimate and private feel than the larger hotels, the Evergreen Bed and Breakfast has on-site parking and is just a fifteen minutes walk from the National Convention Centre. This B&B is more or less self-catered with electrical appliances in the rooms. They have a pool out back and a wonderfully homey feel throughout their communal areas. They also love pets and have been highly recommended on multiple pet-friendly forums. Visit the Evergreen for a home-away-from-home feel, where your canine companion is as welcome as you are!
Ginninderry Homestead
Looking for something more upscale for a large group? The Ginninderry is a highly sought wedding venue and their accommodations are only open to wedding or large group parties. If you’re travelling for a family outing or class reunion and are looking for a place that you, your group and its four-legged best friends can stay together, the Ginninderry is a classy place to choose. With outstanding catering, rave hospitality reviews and a stunning garden just ripe for doggie exploration, the Ginninderry is a beautiful place to stay, a little ways north of the city.
Canberra Retreat Bed and Breakfast
The Canberra Retreat is a wonderful option for travellers or stay-cayers. Located in a leafy, quieter suburb of the capital but close enough to all the major attractions of the city, this B&B is an exclusive-use residence (you book the entire place to yourself!) and can sleep up to five guests. With beautiful rooms boasting antique pieces and traditional designs, the bed and breakfast is wonderfully picturesque. To add to the effect, a vibrant garden offers colour, wildlife and morning birdsong for your enjoyment. Children and animals are equally welcome and there are plenty of opportunities to tire out both with the local network of bike and walking paths!
Mercure Hotel Canberra
Whilst the Mercure’s pet-friendly rooms are limited and it’s important to book in advance, they offer fantastic facilities in the rooms that do support your furry-friend’s presence. With bedding, food bowl, an enclosed garden for those necessary trips to the bathroom and pet sitting services (featured on Pooches at Play on channel Ten) all available within the hotel, your fur-baby will be well cared for at Mercure! Just make sure to request your pet-friendly room ahead of time to ensure you snag one of these desired spots!
Lyttle Cook Bed and Breakfast
A bright and spacious bed and breakfast with a pretty terrace and garden, the Lyttle Cook’s rave reviews aren’t solely about their well-maintained facilities. Dog owners from all over have praised the hospitality of the Lyttle Cook and their staff’s spoiling of human and canine alike. Between freshly baked bread and doggie treats, the owners of Lyttle Cook have their guests wrapped around their little finger. Located in the heart of Canberra and with easy access to major attractions, restaurants and shops, it’s the perfect balance of quiet privacy and homey familiarity.
Magnolia Cottage
This heritage-listed building is a beauty, surrounded by a lush garden of flowers, fruits and vegetables! Inside, it’s a cosy, homey feeling with a real fire in the winter and high windows in the summer sunshine. Your lovely landlady and her faithful dog Molly are hospitality themselves to their guests, human and canine alike, and will have all the guidance on how to eat local and fresh produce. If you’re looking for a cosy experience with a natural, organic feel for life, the Magnolia Cottage is a must stay.
Nishi Apartments by Ovolo
Whether you’re looking for a ‘Pad’, a ‘One-Bedder’ or a ‘Two-Bedder’, these apartments offer pet-friendly options at every level. With the option of city or lake views, the Nishi Apartments are proud to offer self-contained eco-living options, encased in a building of visually arresting modern architecture. Apartments contain both bathroom and kitchenette facilities and enough room for your furry friend to wander around and explore. Within walking distance of Canberra’s cultural centre, these rooms are stylish and sleek in design and, if you choose a high enough floor, remind us of the Jetsons: living in beautiful modernity, high above the city.
Wanting to explore other areas of Australia? Check our our recommendation lists for Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales.
For more dog-friendly accomodation, check out this dog-lover’s guide to Australia.
Travel to Canberra
Now that your hotel is sorted, why not sort your flight too? Rex flies to Canberra, and you can book your flights here.
