IT'S A DOG'S WORLD

As pet ownership continues to climb, luxury hotels across Australia are opening their doors to four-legged guests. JOANNA HUNKIN checks in with her Golden Retriever Wilbur.

- JOANNA HUNKIN

As the sun begins to break through the early-morning cloud over Port Stephens, an energetic game of tag is taking place on Bannisters’ back lawn. It’s been less than 24 hours since Wilbur first met Winston and Clementine, but they’ve already become firm friends, chasing after one another gleefully as fellow guests watch on, smiling.

It would be a fairly typical scene at most family resorts, but for one small detail: Wilbur and his new pals are dogs, each staying in one of the resort’s three dog-friendly rooms.

Located on the ground floor, the rooms open up directly onto a grassy knoll that separates the resort from Soldiers Point beach, where dogs can be walked on leash at any time. Just 10 minutes’ drive to the east, Bagnalls Beach is a designated off-leash area, where dogs can swim and play to their heart’s content.

For dog-lovers looking to enjoy a weekend escape with their four-legged friends, it’s the perfect location. And, while Bannisters was one of Australia’s first luxury properties to welcome dogs, it’s part of a growing movement, as more and more premium hoteliers see the benefit in offering pet-friendly accommodation.

The RSPCA reports 70 per cent of Generation Z (those aged 18 to 24) own a pet, while more than half of all cat and dog owners consider their pets to be a member of the family. With more than 4.2 million pet dogs in Australia, it’s little wonder hotels have realised the growing demand for quality, pet-friendly accommodation. The real surprise is how long it’s taken for the industry to respond.