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Three of the best dog-friendly hotels in Australia

Very good dogs deserve very good rooms. Here's where you can check in with your four-legged best friend.
Dog in Element hotel, Melbourne

Element hotel, Melbourne

Element Melbourne, Richmond, Vic

Marriott launched its longer stay, eco-conscious Element brand in Australia in June with a 168-room hotel (pictured) near the Yarra River 6km south-east of the city centre. Take the hound through nearby Burnley Park to admire the flowing waters or travel further afield on the riverside Main Yarra Trail (the hotel offers free use of bikes). Afterwards, lounge in one of five pet-friendly rooms ($80 extra per stay) kitted out with sustainably crafted dog beds and a minibar stocked with doggy snacks.

588 Swan Street, Richmond, Vic, elementmelbournerichmond.com

Alure, Stanthorpe, Qld

Show the drought-stricken Granite Belt some (puppy) love. Set out from Alure’s pet-friendly luxe villa ($50 extra per night per pet to explore the notable food and cool-climate wine region: graze at Queensland College of Wine Tourism’s Varias Restaurant, new sushi restaurant Hanasaku or The Barrelroom at Ballandean Estate Wines. Sip your way around cellar doors such as Tobin Wines, Golden Grove Estate and Symphony Hill Wines. Back at Alure, swaddle the pooch in a doggy bathrobe while you hit the hot tub for some serious relaxation.

280 Mt Tully Rd, Stanthorpe, Qld, alurestanthorpe.com.au

Ovolo hotels, eastern Australia

The playful Ovolo boutique-hotel brand announced in May that dog-friendly rooms are now available in each of its Australian properties. For $80 extra per dog a night, owners can bring up to two furry friends, who can lounge around on their own beds and dig into a doggy bag for toys and treats. Humans can delve into their own welcome loot bag for free snacks or rummage through the minbar for other free provisions.

Various locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, ovolohotels.com

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