Looking for hotels which will welcome your four-legged friends can be a challenge, and when you do find one, accommodation for dogs may well stop at the water bowl.
But one high-end getaway nestled in the heart of the Lake District is doing something different - they've built an entire "canine experience" around what dogs and their owners need "for the perfect, dog-friendly, luxury stay."
Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, a "historic retreat" situated between the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake and the Skiddaw mountains, offers a curated experience for dogs, while their owners get "the ultimate nature reset."
The experience offers dogs their own mini bar with treats, a "cosy" bed, and waste bags ready in the owner's room and much more to make them feel right at home.
A spokesperson for Armathwaite Hall said: "We've always welcomed dogs at Armathwaite Hall, as dog people ourselves, it felt completely natural given our setting in 400 acres of private grounds on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake.
"But over time, we started really listening to our guests and asking what would make a stay genuinely better for them and their dogs.
" We wanted to do something that felt as considered and special as the rest of the Armathwaite experience, so we began building out the canine offering piece by piece, from the dog mini bar in the rooms to the Adaptil diffusers for dogs who find new environments a little unsettling.
They added: "It's an ongoing process and one we really enjoy."
Well-behaved pooches are also welcome to the Hall Lounge, "so the whole family can relax together."
"We even have a doggy hairdryer on hand after a muddy Lakeland walk!
"Our ground floor dog-friendly rooms open directly onto the patio and gardens, so dogs never feel cooped up.
"And because we know guests come here to explore, our team provides personalised walking guides, from a gentle lakeside stroll to more adventurous fell walks near Keswick, so every dog gets the adventure they deserve."
Sitting within 400 acres of grounds, there's plenty of space for pooches to stretch their legs.
The Armathwaite Hall team have designed the "canine experience" almost entirely from the dog's perspective, as well as the owners, to remove some of the stress which often accompanies organising family holidays with pets.
Adaptil Calm Diffuser are also complimentary and available on request.
The plug-in diffuser is specifically designed to comfort dogs in unfamiliar environments, so dogs can relax and enjoy being away from home at the same time as their owners.
There is also a on-site pet shop, offering all those things holiday-makers might forget, including towels, bowels, and toys.
Armathwaite's team believe that time spent in the Lake District with a dog is particularly special.
"For so many of our guests, their dog isn't just a pet, they're a central part of the family.
"The idea of leaving them behind, or worrying about them in kennels, can take the joy out of a holiday before it's even begun.
"When a hotel truly embraces dogs, it removes that anxiety entirely.
"Families can be together, relax properly, and enjoy the experience as a whole.
"There's something wonderful about exploring the Lake District with a dog, too. The walks are better, the sense of discovery is shared – they just bring something extra to a Lakeland break."
For owners, the hotel also offers an "expansive leisure programme" including Forest Bathing, Alpaca Walking, Wild Swimming, Moon Bathing, and even Digital Detoxing.
Armathwaite Hall say that they've had a "heart-warming" response to the hotel's pet-friendly approach from guests with four-legged friends.
They said: "Guests often tell us it's the first time they've stayed somewhere where they didn't feel they had to apologise for having a dog.
"People notice and appreciate the details when it comes to their dogs, from the treats waiting in the room, being able to sit together in the lounge, the walking recommendations tailored to their dog's energy and ability.
"The fact that our team genuinely seems to enjoy having the dogs around makes a real difference too.
"We've had guests return year after year specifically because of the experience, and there's no better endorsement than that."
To find out more about Armathwaite Hall's pet-friendly escapes, visit their website at https://www.armathwaite-hall.com/accommodation/dog-friendly/.
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