Pet motels booked out six months in advance as pampered pooches and cats enjoy their vacations

Queensland’s tourism boom has created a pawfect scenario for the state’s pet hotels with pampered pooches and coddled cats lapping up the luxury, with some booked out six months in advance.

A dog’s life just got one hell of an upgrade.

After a ruff couple of years during the coronavirus pandemic, pet motels and resorts are experiencing an extraordinary resurgence, with venues booking out months in advance and splashing out on extravagant refurbishments.

Pampered pooches and coddled cats are lapping it up in luxury, with water parks, home cooked meals and carefully-curated music soundtracks among the offerings available for pets while their humans set off for a post-Covid holiday.

Some airconditioned suites, complete with private balconies and access to video conferencing calls, are going for up to $200 a night, with packages offering door-to-door service, bedtime reading and nightly treats.

Pampered pooch Walter enjoys the King’s Villa Suite at AAA Pet Resort. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Pet Industry Association of Australia boarding and pet services director Simon Mansbridge said there were a number of reasons for the huge surge in demand for pet motels and resorts.

“Since the start of Covid we have seen so many people pick up a dog or a cat, or if they already had one, they’ve been adding second or third pets,” he said.

“And obviously with the end lockdowns and people now free to travel again we’re seeing lots of people wanting to take that long overdue holiday.

“In Queensland, we’ve been busier than we’ve ever been and we’re seeing places booking out three-to-six months in advance.

“There are places already 75 per cent booked for Easter or even 50 per cent booked for Christmas.”

Pooches can enjoy pool party surrounds at Pet Resorts Australia Townsville. Picture: Facebook

On the Gold Coast, Mudgeeraba’s AAA Pet Resort has been doing a roaring trade, with reservations in the king’s villa going for $185 a night.

Resort general manager Kelly Avery said the recovery from the dark early days of the pandemic had been “insane”.

The King’s Villa Suite at AAA Pet Resort starts at $185 per night. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“It was devastating at first because we weren’t getting any bookings at all and it was really hard,” she said.

“But eventually we found people were keen to get away, even if that was when we only allowed to travel within the state and they just wanted to go somewhere for a long weekend or a short break.

“And since then, it’s just got busier and busier. It’s been insane.”

Guests enjoyed a visit from Santa over Christmas at Pet Resorts of Australia Eumundi-Noosa. Picture: Facebook

She said times had changed since boarding kennels consisted of pretty basic services.

“They’re not just dogs or cats anymore – they’re fur babies and people want to make sure they are taken care of,” she said.

Dogs can cool off in a tropical pool at Pet Resorts Australia Townsville. Picture: Facebook

At Eumundi on the Sunshine Coast, dogs can stay in a “destination suite” – rooms inspired by the plains of the African Serengeti or Tuscan villas in Italy, while dogs in Townsville can cool off in a purpose-built water park in further proof that every dog has its day.

QLD’S BEST PET HOTELS

SAMFORD PET RESORT

Brisbane’s five-star pet resort offering services including My Pet Space, where owners can check in with their pets via video link.

AAA PET RESORT GOLD COAST

Pets can enjoy beach excursions and nature walks before retiring to a cooked dinner in the king’s villa for $185 a night.

GOLD COAST BOARDING KENNELS

Pets can enjoy a three-day pamper package with an on-site grooming service.

PET RESORTS OF AUSTRALIA EUMUNDI-NOOSA

Your furry companion can relax in “destination suites” inspired by the Serengeti, Tuscany or Japan after burning off excess energy in a purpose-built commando obstacle course.

NORTHSHORE PET RESORT, ROTHWELL

Award-winning centre with free hydro baths, blow dries and door-to-door drop-off.

PET RESORTS AUSTRALIA TOWNSVILLE

Pooches can frolic in a water park set among tropical, tranquil surrounds before retiring to airconditioned suites.