There’s a moment when a suitcase comes out of a cupboard and it’s clear that your pet has some opinions. While some will be linked to how long you’re going away for this time and what treats you might bring back, the biggest one of all is – am I coming with you?
Thankfully the last few years has seen an increase in the number of ways to stay with your furry friend, including some wonderful options if you’re looking for luxury pet friendly accommodation in NSW.
While most people think about dogs when they think of pet friendly stays, we’ve also found some that will welcome your cats, rabbits, birds and other creatures.
If you haven’t holidayed with your pet before you might want to check out our guide to travelling with your dog, as well as what it’s like to take a cat that hates cars on a road trip. When it comes to cats, it’s also good to remember that some cats really aren’t all that keen to join you in that five star hotel, as we discovered when we took Miss Kitty Fantastico to spend a night at The Langham Sydney.
But if your pet loves to go on adventures with you then we have some pretty wonderful places for you to run away together. As there are so many great ones to share we’re going to break them down by areas in NSW so you can jump ahead if you know where you want to go, or browse them all to get inspired.
Ready to get pet friendly travel dreaming? Let’s go…
- Sydney and Central Coast
- Hunter Region
- Mid North Coast
- Northern NSW
- Southern Highlands and South Coast
- Central West and Riverina
The Langham, Sydney
In the heart of the cobble-stoned Rocks district, The Langham Sydney has 96 luxurious rooms and suites with plush furnishings and high ceilings, along with one of Sydney’s best spa experiences.
As well as welcoming dogs The Langham opens its luxury doors to cats, rabbits, birds, and other animals under 20kgs. A charge of $120 per pet, per night, applies.
Pet sitting and dog walking services are also available upon request and you can even arrange a Langham Pampered Pets Staycation, which includes a Pet Afternoon Tea Party, and breakfast in bed for you and your pet. They can even arrange an in-room pet photoshoot or a pet’s birthday party.
Ovolo Hotel, Woolloomooloo
On Sydney’s historic finger wharf the Ovolo Hotel, Woolloomooloo is a five star boutique hotel with a whole lot of character and fun.
Pamper your fur friend with the Ovolo’s V.I.Pooch packages which include a snuggly doggy bed, food bowl and drinking mat, a bagful of treats, and pawesome dog friendly staff and services.
Human guests will love the beautifully designed rooms and loft suites overlooking the waterfront, not to mention the complimentary mini bar, snacks and free drinks at social hour.
Kimpton Margot, Sydney
While some hotels have limits on the kinds of animals they’ll welcome and then weight limits on top of those, at Kimpton Hotels their policy is if it can fit in the lift, it can join you on your holiday.
One of Sydney’s new hotels in 2022, the Kimpton Margot Sydney is Australia’s first Kimpton and we’re happy to say they’re sharing the fit-in-the-lift policy, and that this is the only hotel where we’ve seen llamas in the lobby.
The historic Art Deco building features 172 luxury rooms and suites, is home to Luke’s Kitchen by Luke Mangan, and as well as the beautiful cocktail bar in the lobby you can enjoy drinks beside the pool on the rooftop too.
Pampering pet services and goodies await, and there’s no extra cost for bringing your furry, feathery or scaly pets along for the night.
Crystalbrook Albion, Surry Hills
In Sydney’s Surry Hills the Crystalbrook Albion offers a 5-star boutique hotel experience in one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in the city.
While some rooms remain pet free if you book one of the Urban rooms you’ll not only be allowed to bring your pet they’ll also access to an outdoor area where they can stretch out and play.
Pet-friendly amenities including soft beds, food and water bowls are provided and pets are an additional $130 per room.
Calabash Bay Lodge, Berowra Waters
Surounded by three breathtaking National Parks, Calabash Bay Lodge in Berowra Waters is a spacious and stylish villa with river views.
The lodge has four bedrooms that can sleep up to eight, three bathrooms, a full kitchen and laundry, Wi-Fi and other premium amenities. Guests can explore the area with the complimentary boats and kayaks or bask under the sun in the beautiful waterfront.
This pet friendly luxury holiday home welcomes up to two four-legged friends, just make sure that you request prior approval for your pets before you book as a pet bond may apply.
Harbour Home, Balmain
Right on the sparkling waterfront with views of the city skyline, Harbour Home in Balmain is a city break for the whole family, or possibly a fun group of friends, and welcomes not only dogs but cats too.
The home has four luxury bedrooms that can accommodate up to eight guests and three bathrooms including one where you can soak in the tub while looking out at harbour views. Take a dip in the heated pool before whipping up a barbeque to eat by the pool or on the spacious patio.
Thinking of bringing your fur friends? This holiday home allows up to two cats or dogs of any size.
Joeanne, Blue Bay
For Sydney siders the Central Coast is an easy one hour hop up the road and has so many dog friendly cafes and parks you’re spoilt for choice. Happily there are also lots of great ways to stay with your pooch including the absolute beach front Joeanne at Blue Bay.
This four bedroom, three bathroom townhouse sleeps up to 11 people and has panoramic ocean views and direct beach access for you and your pup, just 600m from The Entrance and a ten minute walk to the ocean baths.
Small, house trained dogs are welcome at Joeanne, just let them know when you book. As for two legged children, they’re going to love the games room in the converted garage with a 65″ TV, PlayStation 4, Wii, foosball and more. Oh who are we kidding, the adults are going to have fun in there too.
Pearl Beach Shack, Pearl Beach
This Hamptons Inspired holiday home sleeps up to eight adults and four children across the three bedroom beach shack and a single room cottage, and was recently renovated to include a modern kitchen with SMEG appliances and a new bathroom.
At The Pearl Beach Shack the open plan kitchen, dining and lounge are filled with natural light and the French doors and strut windows open out to the deck and lawn. The property is fully fenced so you can let your dog off to play.
The beach shack is a short stroll from Pearl Beach where dogs can play at the northern end of this picturesque beach, and a 10 minute drive to Umina and Ettalong.
Vinden Estate, Pokolbin
The winner of the Best Accommodation in the Hunter Valley at the Gourmet Traveller 2020 Cellar Door Awards, Vinden Estate is a gorgeous homestead on an organic and sustainable vineyard.
This beautiful Victorian property features six elegant bedrooms that can accommodate up to 12 guests, a huge kitchen to cook up a storm in, and a swimming pool with vineyard views.
Read: Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip, the New England Way
As well as being a luxury pet friendly stay it’s right next door to the Vinden Wines cellar door where you can try the wines that come from the vines you’ve been looking out at, before bringing your favourite drop of the day home to enjoy over dinner.
Vintage Steel, Morpeth
The former colonial port of Morpeth is considered a living museum, and along with its beautifully preserved buildings and cobble stone paths you can find this stunning, and pet friendly, way to stay.
Vintage Steel is a unique 1800’s barn and warehouse that’s been converted into a modern smart house.
The huge home can accommodate up to 16 people in eight fully insulated bedrooms, and has two bathrooms plus a half bath, an industrial kitchen and a custom made fireplace and pizza oven.
Guests can wander through the beautifully landscaped gardens with their furry friends and relax in the plunge pool, or go out exploring the vintage and artisan stores in Morpeth and Hinton.
Bannisters Port Stephens, Soldiers Point
Without a doubt the most luxurious Port Stephens pet friendly accommodation,
Bannisters’ Ocean Deck dog-friendly rooms are located on the ground floor with plenty of space for your furry friend to kick back on their holiday too.
At Bannisters Port Stephens they also have dog friendly suites with filtered ocean views and access to the hotel gardens.
Read: Secluded romantic getaways in NSW
Humans can relax by the infinity pool, indulge in spa treatments and enjoy fresh local seafood at Rick Stein at Port Stephens.
And if you’re bringing your dog don’t forget to book the pet friendly rooms as animals are strictly not allowed in other rooms throughout the hotel.
The Rotating House, Caffreys Flat
It’s not everyday you get to stay in a house that spins right round baby, right round, but at The Rotating House you can do just that.
This unique home completes a full 360-degree rotation every 45 minutes so you can just sit back with a glass of wine and watch all the views come to you.
Read: 11 of the best Byron Bay retreat ideas
This octagon shaped homestay features five bedrooms that can sleep up to 16 guests with two bathrooms and a half bath, three lounging areas, a top floor observatory and a piano for when you feel like tinkling those ivories.
Expect to see lots of wildlife, including kangaroos and wallabies, king parrots and eagles, and if you’re lucky you might even see the local koalas.
For this stay you’re welcome to bring a maximum of two vaccinated dogs, but outside dogs only please as dogs are not allowed inside the home.
The Converted Church, Bellingen River
Beside the Bellingen River the Converted Church is a Balinese inspired stay for up to twelve guests and a couple of their pets.
This unique stay includes a stunning stained glass bathroom inside and a chance to soak under the stars in the freestanding outdoor tub.
Go for a swim in the river or take out a canoe, relax in the garden or have a singalong around the piano. This pet friendly accommodation allows two pets at $50 additional charge per pet per stay.
Terrara House, Shoalhaven
Feel like you’ve slipped away to your country mansion with a stay at the stunning Terrara House.
This historic Federation Filagree home can sleep up to 28 guests in 23 elegant rooms, and has lots of ways to unwind and relax including a hit of tennis on the tennis court and a dip in the swimming pool, or a spa treatment in the onsite Wellness Salon. Just ask the Estate Manager to help arrange a visit from a local therapist.
Read: 10 Best Hotels Near Western Sydney International Airport
You can also arrange to have Terrara Artisan chefs cater for your lunches, dinners, picnics and pizza nights or simply enjoy taking over the huge kitchen for yourself. The home may be huge, but in this one only smaller dogs are allowed and with prior approval only. Once you’ve been given the green light you’ll be welcome to bring up to two dogs that are less than 10kg each.
Bannisters by the Sea and Bannisters Pavilion, Mollymook
With its incredible location, modern luxury rooms, Rick Stein restaurant and stellar hospitality Bannisters at Mollymook is a true NSW treat.
At Bannisters there are three pet friendly rooms that you can bring dogs and other pets to play. At Bannisters Pavilion they have two Pet Friendly Classic rooms, while at Bannisters By the Sea you can select the Pet Friendly Terrace Suite, which includes a private 30sqm garden and a double spa bath in the huge bathroom.
Read: The best Mollymook holiday rentals for a South Coast getaway
As with Bannisters at Port Stephens, be sure to select the pet friendly rooms as dogs, cats and other creatures are not able to join you in the other rooms throughout the hotels.
Mudgee Country Grandeur Home, Mudgee
If you’d prefer to have a private luxury pet friendly Mudgee stay then the Mudgee Country Grandeur Home is for you.
The home sleeps up to 12 guests in six bedrooms. You can play a game of pool inside or swim in the saltwater pool outside, enjoy a barbecue or fresh pizza out of your pizza oven, and roast marshmallows or sip local wine around the fire pit.
And if you fancy a round or two of golf the Mudgee Golf Club is just 3km away.
Pets are welcome but be sure to ask before booking as charges may apply.
So there we have some of the best luxury pet friendly accommodation in NSW. If you’d like to continue the search you can also find more pet friendly hotels and homes on Booking.com here.
And if you find any gems that you think should be on this list do let us know so we can continue to spread the word.
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