Holiday with four-legged friends: The best dog hotels
Ranking of the top 10 most dog-friendly hotels.
30 March 2021
The Austrian holiday portal doghotel.info, has for the second time named the most popular hotels for Holidays with the dog evaluated. 674 selected accommodation facilities with special dog care, mainly from Austria, Germany, South Tyrol and Switzerland, were awarded the hundehotel.info Award 2021.
"More and more people want to spend their holidays together with their beloved four-legged friend," knows portal manager Christoph Reichl. "The accesses on our platform move despite Corona pandemic on a high level. Meanwhile we register annually more than one million side calls." Hoteliers also recognise the trend towards holidays with dogs. They invest in dog-friendly equipment and also offer one or the other luxury for dogs. Rooms with their own dog sleeping area including dog cushions, food and water bowls are part of the basic equipment. Other establishments pamper their guests on four paws with extraordinary offers and exclusive services.
These are the top 10 of the hundehotel.info Awards 2021:
Country Hotel Haus Waldeck in Phillippsreut, Bavaria
The 1st place goes to the family business of the Koch family. This was founded in 1979 and has since then constantly developed. Over time, numerous offers for the dog were created, such as a dog park, a dog bathing pond and a dog hall - to name just a few. But also in the rooms and in the constant modernization of the house was invested a lot in recent years. In 2020, for example, the construction of two cottages was implemented. The concept of the Country hotels Haus Waldeck consists of making holidays possible for both humans and dogs, as host Christian Koch explains. That is why it is also emphasized that not only the occupation with the dog is emphasized, but also the well-being and relaxation of the guest during his stay in the Bavarian Forest.
Hotel Magdalena in the Zillertal, Tyrol
The Hotel Magdalena in Ried im Zillertal is known far beyond the borders of Tyrol as one of the best dog hotels in Europe. Overall rank two and rank one in Austria prove this assessment in an impressive way. Opened in the 1970s, the Riedl family developed the Magdalena through various renovations and conversions over the years into a true institution for dog lovers from all over the world. Not without reason, because with dog-friendly equipped rooms, own dining area in the restaurant, fenced dog adventure playground, dog swimming pond, special dog massages and much more, the 4-star hotel offers the beloved four-legged friend a range of offers that is unparalleled.
Hotel Grimming Dogs & Friends in Rauris, Salzburg
The Hotel Grimming in Raurisertal could reach the 3rd place Europe-wide and thus the first place in Salzburg. No wonder, the hotel has already specialized 12 years ago completely on the holiday with dog. In the meantime, only guests with dogs can be found in the house of the Langreiter family. This specialization can be seen in the exceptional services for dogs, such as the possible selection of over 130 types of food, including BARF (Biologically Artgerechte Rohfleisch Fütterung) or the presence of a dog trainer at any time.
Maifelder Uhlenhorst in Gappenach, Rhineland-Palatinate
The 5-star wellness accommodation was opened in 2015 and offers the perfect basis for a successful recreational holiday with the dog with a private spa, where the dog can also come along. The owners Heike and Thomas de Kiff wanted to run the house as a retirement project, but now offer - due to high demand - a second accommodation. The Maifelder Uhlenhorst is surrounded by the nature of the Eifel and therefore ideal for hiking and walking. An enclosed courtyard and a fenced garden ensure plenty of exercise in the holiday accommodation.
Holiday village Oberreit in Maishofen, Salzburg
Since July 2015, there has been a Holiday village Oberreit near Zell am See is a great starting point to discover the Pinzgau together with your beloved four-legged friend. Owner Johann Bachmann has adapted the holiday village concept for dog owners and scores very well with it. The individual houses have a lockable veranda and an outdoor shower for dogs. Of course, there are dog beds and dog blankets as well as poop bags, food and water bowls in all units. The holiday village includes an agility course and a free-range area that stretches over 10,000 m².
Natural forest house in Preitenegg, Carinthia
The highest new entrant of the hundehotel.info Awards 2021 comes from Carinthia. The Natural forest house Preitenegg occupies the excellent 6th place in Europe and was newly opened in August 2020. The Winter family warmly welcomes people and animals to their bed & breakfast. Four-legged friends can look forward to a dog swimming pond, the fenced dog sniffing forest and a 15,000 m² play and fun area. For relaxation, there is a small spa area, quiet zones and pine rooms for masters and mistresses.
Dog Hotel & Culinary Riederhof in Ried im Oberinntal, Tyrol
In the top ten again this year: The Riederhof in the Upper Inn Valley. The house has existed since 1975 and has been in the hands of Oswald Hauser since 2019. The fact that dogs are not only tolerated here, but warmly welcome, can be seen in the comprehensive offer for the fur noses. From the dog bathing pond, dog meadow with agility course to the dog washing facility and walk service, dog lovers will find everything their hearts desire here. A highlight is the BARF room. Currently, renovations are also underway.
Gourmet Inn Kutscherklause in Eggern in the Waldviertel, Lower Austria
Already for the second time the Gourmet Inn Kutscherklause has been awarded the hundehotel.info Award and is therefore one of the most popular dog hotels. As dog owners, the operators Magdalena Breuer-Wurz and Stefan Breuer of course know what it takes for a successful holiday with a dog. Since 1978, the gates of the gourmet inn have been open to travellers. The dog is always a welcome and appreciated guest. Whether at the in-house swimming pond or in the restaurant, the dog may always accompany mistress and master. In 2019, all rooms were modernized.
Landhaus FühlDichWohl- Boutique Hotel in Fehring, Styria
As in the previous year, the Country house FühlDichWohl also this year among the ten most popular dog hotels. In 2000, a small boutique hotel was built from an old farm by demolishing the stable buildings and rebuilding. The family Pamela and Klaus Ronner-Ermertz is the driving force behind this gem for dog owners. Dog training and dog sitting are offered, after all host Klaus is a dog expert. Away from the hustle and bustle, man and beast will find peace and relaxation in the 10,000 square metre nature garden. In the surrounding area there are numerous excursion destinations, which can also be experienced with the dogs. To maintain the feel-good character of the house, the rooms are regularly revised and improved, including refrigerators, espresso machines and insect screens.
Hotel Mair am Ort in Dorf Tirol, South Tyrol
The Prünster family runs the Hotel Mair on the spot with heart and soul and, together with the dogs Punky and Tipitina, makes sure that the two- and four-legged holiday guests want for nothing. Daily walks with the hostess, dog swimming, dog walks and trips to the dog adventure playground are offered. Special features are also the offered dog massages, dog physio and dog training in the hotel. Since last year there is a dog pond and new offers such as the "Dog Balance Fit".
Picture Credits: hundehotel.info