Australia’s first Element hotel rolling out red carpet for canine guests

This inner-city hotel is rewriting the rule book on VIPs — Very Important Pooches that is. Humans with fur babies can expect a range of specialised services, including Quarter Hounders on the dinner menu. Here’s what’s on offer.

You and your hound can havea five-star staycay at Element Melbourne Hotel. Picture: Josie Hayden

A Melbourne hotel that offers canine degustation menus, doggie mini bars and eco-friendly pet beds are setting tails wagging among jetsetting pooches.

Element by Westin — part of the Marriott International luxury hotel chain — has opened its first Australian hotel, and the Richmond venue is taking its “pet friendly” tag very seriously.

General manager Harry Singh said the hotel wanted to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for guests to check in with their fur babies.

“Pets are becoming increasingly important parts of people’s lives and we wanted to reflect that,” Mr Singh said.

“Our motto is that time away from home shouldn’t be time away from life”.

The hotel has six rooms designed to accommodate pampered pooches with pet beds, toys and treats provided.

It is believed to be the first in Melbourne that allows dogs in guest rooms.

One of the dog-friendly Balcony King rooms.

All those rooms have balconies making them ideal for guests with dogs,” Mr Singh said.

“Being on the edge of the hotel they also ensure other guests without pets aren’t disturbed.”

Canines can also tuck into a range of meals from a pet degustation menu with dishes including The Good Dog (market fish with steamed carrot) and The Quarter Hounder (pan fried steak with green vegetables).

But they don’t come cheap, with all dishes on the pet degustation menu $24.

Mr Singh said the dog beds were produced by Pet PLAY Australia using 100 per cent recycled materials.

He said “paw-rents" could also hire bikes equipped with dog carriers during their stay.

“We want to make it easy for them to take their pets with them when they’re exploring the city,” he said.

The pet friendly rooms are proving popular with guests, Mr Singh said.

“They are booking out very quickly.”

There is a 20kg weight limit on canine guests.

All dogs will stay free for the month of August with the hotel celebrating its opening by waiving the usual $80 a night fee.

The hotel launched the special offer last week, inviting some of Melbourne’s A-list pooches to a special event.

The exclusive crowd was treated to make overs and a doggie buffet.

Mr Singh said Element’s location in the new Botanicca Corporate Park on the banks of the Yarra River, six kilometres from Melbourne’s city centre, made it an attractive option for interstate visitors and those seeking a “staycation”.

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The hotel marks the debut of the Element brand in Australia.

Marriott International area vice president for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Sean Hunt said the launch “marked a significant milestone” for the company.

“Element Hotels promotes a balanced approach to living and travel,” he said.

“The debut comes as travellers are increasingly seeking out accommodation that offers a flexible environment to live, work and connect.”