Home to a string of world class festivals and more wine than a visitor will know what to do with, Adelaide is fast gaining a reputation as one of Australia’s premier destinations. And the wide open spaces of this ‘big country town’ make it a particularly popular choice amongst pet owners.

The glorious beaches that stretch 50km from Port Adelaide in the northwest to Aldinga in the southwest serve up sunset after stunning sunset. The gorgeous parklands that encapsulate the CBD, meanwhile, showcase the best of Australian flora and fauna, and include the famous Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

Happily the Adelaide hotel scene is built to service the steady stream of pet-owners who visit. But what considerations should a pet owner make when visiting Adelaide, and which of the city’s pet-friendly hotels are best? Read on to find out where travellers are gravitating.

Don’t see your property listed? Get in touch at [email protected] and tell us why it should be included.

LITTLE HOTELIER TOP TIP : Ensure your website is mobile-friendly. This is especially important for hotels, as guests will often look for somewhere to stay while they’re on the move or looking for a last-minute deal. Choosing a mobile-optimised website provider (such as Little Hotelier’s website builder) makes it easy from the start.

What is the best area to stay in Adelaide with pets?

Where in Adelaide will a visitor stay with their four-legged (or more-legged) friend? The best areas include:

  • The CBD: William Light’s vision of Adelaide was laid down in 1837, and despite almost two centuries of development since, the generous gardens and green spaces that he saw wrapping around the CBD remain, making it a perfect place for pets.
  • North Adelaide: Just north of the city, this suburb is also surrounded by greenery and is home to drinking, dining, and one of the world’s most stunning stadiums, Adelaide Oval.
  • Glenelg: The beach is calling guests at Glenelg, Adelaide’s premier coastal destination. Here a traveller can enjoy the sun, sand and festive vibes, or take a nice walk with their furry friend south towards Brighton, or north towards Henley Beach.

What are the best pet-friendly hotels in Adelaide?

Those searching for a five star experience might choose Hilton Adelaide, which enjoys a prime position right in the centre of the city, overlooking beautiful Victoria Square. The Hilton offers a Dog Friendly Package, in which pooch and owner can enjoy a luxurious stay in one of the hotel’s many pet-friendly rooms.

Owners of more active pets will appreciate the plentiful space and sand on offer at Discovery Parks – Adelaide Beachfront, a holiday park found right on the Semaphore beachfront that offers a range of pet-friendly cabins and sites.

Guests who plan to stay for a while and check out all that Adelaide and its surrounds have to offer may be looking for a more self-contained stay, in which case The Palms Apartments in Kent Town, just east of the city, offer an idyllic and pet-friendly experience. It’s important to check the terms and conditions, as fees apply and certain breeds are excluded.

LITTLE HOTELIER TOP TIP : To get more bookings, test out fun promotions during your low season. Try offering significant discounts for a long-term stay, a free room upgrade, or a complimentary dinner on the first night.

Key considerations for guests when booking a pet friendly hotel

Between airports, airlines, hotels and local councils, travelling with a pet can get complicated, as ‘pet-friendly’ means very different things to different organisations. It’s therefore critical for any pet owner to do their research before they travel. Here’s what they’ll want to know about their accommodation:

  • Terms and conditions: Is the airline and hotel truly pet-friendly? Some will be very restrictive on what pets are allowed to do and where they are allowed to go, and others will have breed and weight restrictions.
  • Fees: Airlines and hotels will often charge guests who bring their pets, whether a flat fee, or in the case of some hotels, a nightly rate. A traveller should be aware of exactly what they need to pay before they leave home.
  • Local area: Do the local or city councils have rules and regulations about where pets can go? Is the local area built for pet owners, with green spaces, cafes and shops to enjoy, and a vet on hand in case of an emergency?

How to make it known your hotel accepts pets

Where once the process of finding a pet-friendly hotel was to call every single option and ask, it’s now a simple matter of consulting Google. Typing “pet-friendly hotel [CITY]” into Google Maps usually serves up a wealth of results, and your pet-friendly property needs to be one of them. This can be as simple as mentioning the fact on your website, or ideally dedicating a web page to the subject.

After a pet owner finds your hotel, they need to be able to quickly and easily check your terms and conditions to ensure they are able to abide by your rules and are comfortable with any fees that might be incurred. If you make these rules as simple and clear as possible, you’ll avoid confusion and will be more likely to secure the booking.

What is the best time of year to travel to Adelaide with a pet?

Adelaide’s enviable Mediterranean climate offers up hot, dry summers and cool, damp (though perfectly comfortable) winters. Adelaide is Australia’s driest capital city, so travellers are unlucky to get caught in a shower around here, particularly if they avoid winter.

While any time of year is a great time to visit Adelaide, probably the best is late-summer through early-Autumn, when the air is warm but the hottest of the summer heat is left behind. ‘Mad March’, when Adelaide piles festivals up like Jenga, will also show visitors the city at its most vibrant.

LITTLE HOTELIER TOP TIP : In Google My Business, make sure your hotel name is consistent with your brand as Google can restrict visibility if your Name, Address and Phone Number differ to what is presented on your website.

We’re travellers too.

At Little Hotelier we have a deep passion for travel. We also understand the challenges of running a hotel – which is why we’ve developed a simple yet powerful way for you to manage your property.

The Little Hotelier platform has been designed specifically for small accommodation providers. We help you minimise the fuss and maximise the profits of your hotel, while offering you more freedom and control while you do it.

Don’t just take our word for it. Get started right away for free and make life easier.

Try Little Hotelier's Property Management System

By Dean Elphick

Dean is the Senior Content Marketing Specialist of Little Hotelier, the all-in-one software solution purpose-built to make the lives of small accommodation providers easier. Dean has made writing and creating content his passion for the entirety of his professional life, which includes more than six years at Little Hotelier. Through content, Dean aims to provide education, inspiration, assistance, and, ultimately, value for small accommodation businesses looking to improve the way they run their operations (and live their life).