'I took my dachshund to a pet-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Here's what it was like'
Like many people with pets, especially clingy sausage dogs (IYKYK), my three-year-old dachshund Stubbs and I are pretty inseparable.
He follows me to the kitchen in the morning as I stumble in, half awake and desperate for a morning coffee.
We dance back and forth between my wardrobe and the mirror in my daily struggle to choose something to wear that is both office and Melbourne-weather appropriate.
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Who could resist those puppy dog eyes?! Nine
And then there's our sacred nightly routine, where he sits at the foot of my bed with his best puppy dog eyes on display, eyeing off a spot right in the middle of my bed (yes, he has a bed of his own).
There's no doubt he's my little shadow, but it goes a bit further than that - since he was a pup, Stubbs has dealt with pretty bad separation anxiety. I'd be lying if I said my heart doesn't break a little each time I have to leave him by himself.
So when Hyatt House South Melbourne introduced dog-friendly stays, Stubbs was overjoyed (that was my interpretation at least), and I was just as pleased to be able to bring him along.
With dog-friendly flights becoming all the more common, this city-adjacent hotel is the perfect place to bring your pet if you're in Melbourne for travel.
Or if like me, you're a Melbourne native, I find a well-earned staycation can be a great way to treat yourself every once in a while.
The location
One of the latest in Hyatt's expansion across Melbourne, Hyatt House South Melbourne opened to the public mid last year.
Located on Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne, a short walk from both Albert Park and the Royal Botanical Gardens, the hotel is perfectly positioned for guests with dogs who just can't wait to get out for their morning walk.
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Hyatt House South Melbourne opening in July 2025. Hyatt House
You've got the added convenience of the newly opened ANZAC station just a five-minute walk away, and nearby tram routes provide a gateway to the CBD and beyond.
Tourist landmarks including The Shrine of Remembrance and the Melbourne Arts Precinct, which houses the renowned National Gallery of Victoria, are also a short distance.
Secure parking is available on site too, which proved very handy since finding a spot in the area is often a frustrating luck of the draw.
The room
In all honesty, I wasn't sure what to expect from a dog-friendly hotel.
For some reason, my mind leapt to the 2009 family comedy Hotel for Dogs, where Emma Roberts' character creates a canine paradise for a group of strays.
While I loved that concept, I (perhaps selfishly) wanted to feel a sense of luxury in my stay and wondered whether it would be possible with a bunch of furry friends pottering around.
With a kitchenette and spacious bed, our room felt like a studio apartment - perfect for a few days away. Nine
When we arrived in the lobby of the hotel, Stubbs was greeted by another dog who had been spoiled with a stay. But outside of that, you couldn't tell it was a pet-friendly space from the shared spaces - and that was exactly what I was looking for.
The bedding was crisp and comfortable, the reception area felt welcoming and luxurious and the amenities were refined.
Stubbs immediately fell in love with his plush dog bed, which you can request from the front desk alongside other amenities like a dog bowl, playing cards and Monopoly, a curing iron and clothes steamer and even an air fryer.
He was also indulged with some delicious St Argo blueberry pie treats (lucky pup!), which he was a big fan of.
Stubbs loved looking at the people below from our hotel balcony - a rare moment of height for a sausage dog! Nine
But just as much as our stay catered to my dog's needs, it also had human amenities covered.
Featuring a king-sized bed, ottoman, round dining table, TV and balcony, our room felt spacious and homey.
The kitchenette was especially convenient, fit with glasses and crockery, a dishwasher, microwave, a coffee machine and milk.
Bathroom essentials, including shampoo, conditioner were covered, and a balcony fit with outdoor furniture was a lovely space we could all enjoy.
Stubbs loved looking at the people below from our hotel balcony - a rare moment of height for a sausage dog! Nine
The food and service
I thought the food and the staff at Hyatt House deserved a special shout-out because it really made our experience stand out.
Dogs are permitted to roam freely, on lead, around the hotel, with a couple of exceptions such as the dining area during meal times.
The staff were so welcoming of Stubbs and accommodated our every need.
But there is outdoor dining if, like us, you are looking to dine with your pet.
We decided to treat ourselves to some hotel room service (when in Rome), and were really impressed with the hotel's ghost restaurant, Mister Margherita.
The pizza tasted like it was straight from Italy and it was so lovely to enjoy a nice meal on the balcony on a balmy Summer's day.
The pizza from the hotel's ghost restaurant was sensational! Nine
I'm not typically a huge breakfast person in my day-to-day life, but there's one glaring exception to that rule, and that is a good hotel breakfast!!!
There's nothing quite like the excitement of approaching a breakfast buffet and exploring all of the offerings.
The breakfast selection at Hyatt House was simple, but it played the hits with toast, pastries, fruit and cereal.
The continental breakfast buffet at Hyatt House South Melbourne. Nine
I'll admit I was initially disappointed to see an absence of cooked breakfast options at the buffet - but Hyatt House truly one-upped the humble bain-marie by offering a whole menu of chef-prepared breakfast choices in addition to the buffet.
We went with the pancakes and chilli scrambled eggs and let me tell you - they were both absolutely sensational.
The breakfast provided a classic Aussie brunch feel. Nine
Stubbs was laser-focused on devouring his puppacino. Nine
And don't you worry - it wasn't just about the human food - Stubbs was treated to a puppycino, which he demolished (Do dogs realise they don't need to gulp them in one go?)
After breakfast, we headed straight towards Albert Park for a nice stroll to digest our delicious brekky.
Overall, our weekend at Hyatt House South Melbourne was just the pause we needed to break up our busy lives.
It merged the indulgence and pampering of travel with the home comforts we treasure in our everyday lives - from the dishwasher to our precious pooch.
Rooms at Hyatt House South Melbourne begin at $209 per night.
The writer stayed as a guest of Hyatt House South Melbourne.
