Where to stay in London with your dog: twelve hotels that welcome you both

A weekend away shouldn't mean leaving one of the family behind. Maybe you're visiting friends on the other side of town, or you just fancy a night somewhere new. Either way, these twelve London hotels will have you both, and some have gone out of their way for dogs. Here's what each one offers you and your dog. For the full list, see every dog-friendly hotel in London.

Pubs with rooms

Fox & Anchor (Hotel)

This pub on Charterhouse Street has six bedrooms, and each one has space for a doggy bed (or two). There's a dog bed blanket too. The rooms are on the first floor above the bar, each with a Hypnos bed, an ensuite shower, an honesty bar and a Nespresso machine. One feature room has a private terrace and a copper roll-top bath. Downstairs, the kitchen takes its cue from neighbouring Smithfield Market, with Eggs Angus at breakfast. Smithfield, St Paul's Cathedral and the Barbican Conservatory are all within a stroll, so the morning walk comes with a view.

Prince of Wales Townhouse

This pub and boutique hotel on Dalling Road in Hammersmith has an enclosed garden, which is just what you want when the dog needs a last sniff about before bed. Inside it's a sports pub at heart, with football, rugby, NFL and more on Sky Sports and TNT Sport. There are 15 keg beers on tap, plus shuffleboard and interactive darts. The seasonal menu runs from breakfast through to dinner, with plenty of sharing plates.

The White Hart Hotel, Hampton Wick

The White Hart is a Tudor-style Fuller's pub dating back to the 1600s, at the foot of Kingston Bridge. Upstairs there are 37 bedrooms and a lift. Hampton Court Palace is within walking distance. The bar pours Fuller's cask ales and the kitchen does Sunday roasts. Guests park free in the car park at the rear, which makes this the easy choice if you're driving in with a dog and all its kit.

Townhouses and characterful city stays

The Egerton House Hotel

If the dog is getting the full treatment this weekend, book this one. The Egerton House is an 1843 red-brick Victorian townhouse on a leafy residential street in Knightsbridge. It belongs to the family-owned Red Carnation Hotel Collection and treats its canine guests like royalty. There are 23 rooms, four Studio Suites and a Master Suite, all furnished with antiques and original artworks. You can take afternoon tea (children get theirs with the hotel's teddy bear, Edwin), and the bar is known for its martinis. Guests also get free exhibition entry and priority access at the V&A, which is nearby, as are the Science Museum and Harrods.

Ruby Stella Hotel London

Down a narrow lane in Clerkenwell, Ruby Stella takes its name and inspiration from Charles Dickens. Pets stay for a charge. The bar is open 24 hours and styled around the publishing process, with vintage books, printroom touches and signature Negronis. There's a ground-floor terrace as well. Every room is soundproofed, which helps if your dog tends to react to footsteps in the corridor.

Ruby Zoe Hotel & Bar

On Notting Hill Gate, Ruby Zoe borrows from the area's Caribbean roots and carnival history, with colourful shutters, bold patterns and bleached wood. The bar is the heart of the place, serving barista coffee, cocktails and Italian-inspired snacks. Breakfast brings pastries, cheese and fruit from local partners. Rooms are soundproofed, with rain showers.

Ruby Lucy Hotel & Bar

Ruby Lucy, on Lower Marsh in Waterloo, sits on London's South Bank and runs with a fairground and circus theme: circus drums, juggling pins and stripes. The 24-hour bar has vintage games. Breakfast includes porridge, pastries and fruit from neighbouring suppliers, with bottomless barista coffee, which you'll want after an early walk.

Hux Hotel

On Kensington High Street, the Hux calls itself a "sustainable, sensory sanctum", with rooms "elegantly designed, with a touch of whimsy". There's outdoor seating for a drink with the dog at your feet. The bar mixes signature cocktails, and the Live Lounge has live music every week.

Practical bases for a longer stay

Staybridge Suites London - Vauxhall, an IHG Hotel

This is a good pick if you're bringing a small dog for more than a night or two, because small dogs are welcome here. The apartment-style suites are on a quiet street in Vauxhall. Each one has a fully equipped kitchen, and a hot breakfast is included every day. The free laundry is open 24 hours, which is handy for muddy towels. There's also a 24-hour Pantry in the lobby, plus lift access to all floors.

Travelodge London Oval Cricket Ground

Pets are welcome in both standard rooms and SuperRooms here. There's a cleaning charge per pet, and guide, assistance and hearing dogs stay free. The hotel is right next to The Oval, on the A202 just south of Vauxhall Bridge, so it's easy to reach by car. Double rooms have king size beds and a Lavazza coffee pod machine, snacks and drinks are sold 24 hours a day, and there's outdoor seating.

The Hoxton, Holborn

The Hoxton is one minute from Holborn station, which is a big plus if your dog travels by Tube. It has 220 rooms, from Shoebox up to Biggy. Guests can borrow Hox bikes for free, and the hotel stores luggage free on check-in and check-out days, so you can head off for a walk without the bags. There's no parking of its own (public parking is two minutes away), and the hotel sits inside the congestion and ultra low emission zones.

The Hoxton, Southwark

On Blackfriars Road, this Hoxton puts you close to the Thames, the South Bank Centre and The Shard, with the river right there for a walk. It has 192 rooms with concrete ceilings and marble surfaces, plus outdoor seating. For food there's Seabird, a rooftop seafood restaurant with a terrace, and Albie, an all-day neighbourhood restaurant and bar. Luggage storage is free during your stay.

Making the stay easy on your dog

Bring a bit of home. A familiar bed or blanket helps a dog settle in a strange room. The Fox & Anchor has the floor space for it, and it's worth packing one wherever you stay.
Walk before you check in. A long walk first means a dog who's ready to flop, not pace. The river near Southwark and Waterloo, or the streets round Hampton Court, are good for it.
Short lead in shared spaces. Lobbies, lifts and 24-hour bars stay busy late, so keep the lead short until you're behind your own door.
Pick your moment if your dog is nervous. A big match at the Prince of Wales or a live music night at the Hux or a Ruby bar is a lot of noise. Go down earlier or on a quieter evening.
Pack water and a towel. Keep a travel bowl for the journey and a towel for wet paws before you walk through a smart lobby.
Budget for the dog. Ruby Stella and the Travelodge both charge for pets, the Travelodge per pet, so allow for that if you're bringing two.