Five-star hotels in India are getting more pet-friendly

By Chaitali Chakravarty & Anumeha Chaturvedi


Five-star hotels in India are becoming the pets, doing everything they can to attract travelers looking for a safe place to stay with their furry friends amid the pandemic. ITC NSE -0.56% Hotels, Indian Hotel Company (IHCL) and Marriott International are part of the hotel chains that now allow pets in many more of their properties.

ITC Hotels last year extended the ‘Petcaytions’ initiative in India to many properties of its five-star Welcomhotel brand, including properties in Pahalgam, Mussoorie, Amritsar and Jodhpur, which now offer pet-friendly stays with targeted amenities such as as outdoor play areas, dog trails and information assistance such as “vets on duty”. Its CTI Great Bharat hotel in Gurgaon also accepts pets now. Sensing the growing demand, other Welcomhotels are expected to introduce the facility this year.

“After the pandemic, many travelers are looking for destinations that allow pet stays. We are also deploying petcaytions to other leisure destinations as we have received many requests for the same, ”said a spokesperson for ITC Hotels.

During the past year, some Taj branded hotels and properties began to allow guests to bring their furry friends, such as those from Varanasi, Corbett, Coorg and Goa. Vacations in and near passable places have increased demand for more pet friendly services. The chain’s SeleQtions brand saw increased demand and introduced a “Pawcations offering” in October last year at all of its hotels.

“From pet-friendly bistros to a relaxed stroll through the lawns, hotels host memorable experiences for four-legged guests, just as they would for their pet parents,” a spokesperson for the IHCL.

All Vivanta hotels in the chain are pet-friendly, as are the bungalows of the homestay brand Ama Stays & Trails. Marriott International hotels that have opened their doors to pets include Westin hotels in Gurgaon, Chennai and Calcutta, Le Meridien Kochi, the Renaissance Bangalore Race Course Hotel and Goa Marriott Resort & Spa.

“We currently have 12 pet-friendly Marriott hotels in eight cities. As the travel trend with pets grows, more and more hotels in the Marriott International portfolio will join the pet-friendly program, ”said a spokesperson for Marriott International. “These hotels will come on board, perform strict safety and health checks, manage and maintain high quality pet-friendly services, aligned with a global sensitivity and responsibility for the comfort and convenience of all guests of ownership, ”the spokesperson added. .

The number of pet arrivals has increased dramatically at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangalore and is already twice as high as last year so far. A special a la carte pet menu is available for in-room orders for furry hotel guests. In addition, chefs also respond to dietary needs, if they are informed accordingly.

A spokesperson for the property said there were several reasons for the increase in the number of guests with pets. “Guests staying at the hotel are now looking for a relaxing stay, and the extensive green areas and gardens are ideal for families with pets. Plus, our four garden suites have adjoining private terraces that pets can use to explore freely while families are lounging, ”she added.

Nitin Sud, hotel manager at Narendra Bhawan Bikaner said the hotel is improvising the pet facilities.