How to have a 'levelled up' doggie staycation in Sydney
At this stage of my life, I am a proud DINKWAD. For the uninitiated, that means Double Income, No Kids, With A Dog.
And boy, what a life my dog lives.
I'm not embarrassed to say Gary my labradoodle is treated like my son. He eats vet approved diet dog food. He gets daily treats. He gets a new toy once a month. We celebrate all the holidays with new outfits.
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Gary my dog of course loves dressing up. Supplied
And of course, we take him everywhere we go. To the pub. To the shops. To family parties! Anywhere and everything that is dog friendly, you can bet we've given it a go.
Gary is an integral part of our family and of course, is treated as such. Dogs only have a short life and I am a firm believer that for all the love and joy they give us, they should be treated the same as a person (because after all, he is my son).
And so, when the folks over at Hotel Indigo invited me to do a dog-friendly staycation, I jumped at the chance.
The location
Hotel Indigo absolutely nails the city staycation sweet spot. It's situated right between the buzzing energy of Kings Cross (literally a minute away from the iconic Coca Cola sign) and the classy, historic vibes of Potts Point - meaning everyone has something to explore (including the pups!).
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Everything at your fingertips. Getty
You get to admire gorgeous Art Deco architecture one moment and browse top Sydney boutiques and renowned restaurants on leafy streets the next. Oh, and for your dog? Tons of parks and beaches are super close by.
Personally, as someone who lives in Sydney's south, getting to escape the routine for a night, enjoy quality time with my partner and not worry about finding a sitter for our dog was truly fantastic.
The hotel itself is a stylish, boutique base, full of unique, art-inspired design that celebrates the neighbourhood's colourful past. You'll love winding down with views of the city or harbour, indulging in the French-Japanese fusion at their on-site restaurant, Luc-San or just walking a few steps to Kings Cross station to jump into the CBD.
It truly blends style, convenience and local culture for a great stay for you and your dog.
The rooms
One of the biggest hassles of travelling with a dog is the sheer amount of gear required.
The fact that the folks over at Hotel Indigo provided a plush dog bed, food and water bowls, toys and delicious St ARGO treats (Gary being part-lab devoured these in two days) was fabulous.
Knowing my dog's needs were met allowed me to settle in much more quickly and comfortably.
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Look at all that space. Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point
We were given a one-bedroom suite, with incredible views of the iconic Harbour Bridge, Rushcutters Bay and the Sydney heads. It stormed that night, and honestly, as someone who loves watching the rain, sitting there and watching it pass over the harbour while reclining on the decadently long lounge felt like a real treat.
The sheer size of the one-bedroom suite was also impressive. It was essentially like having two rooms in one. If you wanted to, you could easily put your dog in their own separate area, complete with sliding doors (but for us? No chance - Gary sleeps right between us).
The room itself oozes effortless cool, it's trendy without ever feeling like it's trying too hard. We loved all the little unique touches: the vinyl record player stocked with favourites like Arctic Monkeys and Fleetwood Mac, the quirky peace sign coat hangers, the Spotify playlists with local neighbourhood inspired sounds, the designer chairs in bright and bold colours and of course, the sumptuously soft Bambury robes (which Gary also loved).
Pampered pooch! Nine
It all adds up to a classic hotel experience - but levelled up. Everything felt richly decadent, yet cool; with a genuine touch of the area's unique history interspersed with bold and eclectic design.
And let's not forget about the BATH. I love a bath - and it's one of my biggest regrets that I currently live in a one bedroom apartment that only consists of a shower.
This bathtub is generously sized and deep enough for a proper, luxurious soak, letting me submerge completely. Coupled with a good book, a wine and the bathtub while my partner and dog napped away, I was in heaven.
Heaven. Nine / Supplied
The food.
With Gary in-tow, room service is a must. Fantastically, room service in the harbour view suite is from Luke Mangan's Luc-San restaurant (situated in the adjacent laneway of the hotel if you wanted to dine-in).
Any of the delicious skewers from their robata grill is a must-try- the wagyu with Sauce Paloise was my absolute favourite. I could eat that every day of the week and not get sick of it.
Salivating. Nine
Drinks wise, we loved their signature cocktails - the Yuzu and chilli margarita and Honeypotted, which features my favourite Roku Gin.
For breakfast, there is a café nestled in the lobby of the hotel featuring all day breakfast, fresh barista made coffee and delicious pastries. And Gary got to join us as well!
Fresh barista made coffee is the dream. Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point
Things to know for your pet
Hotel Indigo is currently offering a great $1 pet stay deal running from now until January 31st. Just a heads-up: it's one dog per room and they must weigh under 30kg.
Also, you'll need to keep your pup with you (they can't be left alone in the hotel room) - but seriously, why would you leave when you have all the creature comforts and luxe room service right there for both of you to enjoy?!
It's one thing for a hotel to let you bring your dog, but it's another thing entirely for them to actually welcome them - and that's what matters. Hotel Indigo nails the difference.
Gary was a big fan of the St ARGO dog treats. Nine
They transformed the room from a simple hotel space into a genuinely cosy and functional home-away-from-home for Gary and we could not have been more comfortable and relaxed.
It was clear that everything was well thought out, down to the dog treats. We felt truly looked after. If you're planning a dog-friendly staycation in Sydney, this is the perfect spot.
Rooms for a a 2 singles standard room start from $531 per night. For a harbour view with a balcony, prices start from $911 per night.
The writer stayed as a guest of Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point.
