HAPPY DOG, HAPPY OWNER

A five-star hotel with custom-made beds, a spa, a massage salon and staff available 24/7. It sounds like luxury.

A five-star hotel with custom-made beds, a spa, massage parlor and staff available 24/7. Sounds like something you would expect from a normal five star hotel. Yet this hotel is slightly different, this new five-star hotel in London is specially made for elite dogs. Text: Fleur de Jong
Image: Urban Mutts Hotel

Private Club

The stay is only intended for members who are members of the private club, something like Soho House, but for dogs. The idea comes from Barry Karacostas, also known as The Dog Jogger. Barry has been working with dogs for over 15 years, ensuring they can live their best lives. Barry works for people like Guy Ritchie and Elle Macpherson, who had him flown to Miami specifically to care for her puppies. Barry explains that conventional kennels don't understand what elite urban dogs need. He says that especially city dogs should stay there too. According to him, they need consistency and these dogs don't understand why they go from one place to another. 

To ensure this, Barry has created the private club Urban Mutts. All dog owners pay €175 starting fee for a membership. You can then choose which services you use. The dog day club takes center stage, which is equipped with LED mood lighting and walls covered with custom-made street art. The day club's on-site spa offers everything from quick washes to nail treatments. Urban Mutts staff are trained in acupuncture, massage and reiki and there is a team of trainers on site or outside in nearby parks and streets.

The rate

However, due to the establishment of the new hotel, there is also an option for an overnight stay. As a dog owner you pay €80 for an overnight stay, for a week or longer there is an additional charge of €80 per night. Dogs can stay at the hotel for up to three months, so that their owners can explore the world in the meantime. 

Due to Covid-19, Urban Mutts was only now able to officially open its doors, but at the same time the situation surrounding the virus has also provided an advantage. For example, pet ownership has recently increased by 4% in the US. This means that in the US alone, more than 70 million households decided to get a pet, the majority of which were dogs. 

Will we soon see dog hotels in more places? According to founder Barry Karacostas, he is preparing for an expansion to other cities.