A city hotel is responding to a boost in trade by launching a new offer of luxury hampers to treat guests.
But this time the customers it is keen to pamper are of the four-legged variety. In a move set to have tongues - and tails - wagging, INNSiDE on Newcastle quayside is focusing its attention upon dogs and it is now offering a pick of hampers catering for an overnight stay, weekend break or special birthday. And these include treats and toys as well as bedding and 'essential items' to ensure that each visiting pet feels top dog.
The 161-bedroom hotel's new addition to its services follows what it says is a 75% increase in dog stays over the past year, with many owners booking specially to celebrate their four-legged friend’s birthday. The INNSiDE by Meliá hotel has taken the lead by joining up with local independent pet boutique Purple Hound to provide the range of stylish hampers for guests staying there with their pets.
Read more: dog-friendly North East beaches
And it is set to tempt even more of them with the new kits, which also include travel accessories and a grooming kit. They will be available from a kiosk inside the hotel, where celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo has a restaurant which also now offers dog-friendly dining, enabling pets to join their owners at breakfast.
The pet-friendly INNSiDE says it has 'elevated its stays for dogs' due to demand from owners needing items for their dogs during their visits, including treats, toys and bedding. It says its new 'must-have' travel extras by Corbridge-based Purple Hound include a Night Away Dog Hamper for £19, which has a branded grooming kit, toothrush dental chew, roll of poop bags, a natural rope ball tug toy and healthy dog treats, described as being "perfect after a long day exploring Newcastle"; and a Night Weekend Break Dog Hamper for £30 which includes all that plus a large fleece dog blanket.
There is also a specially-created £39 Birthday Break Dog Hamper which contains everything that is in the weekend break hamper but swaps the natural rope toy for a birthday balloon toy and also includes a reusable treat tin. The hampers are available for pre-order.
There is also a hotel QR code on the hampers' packaging so that pet-owning guests can access details of local dog walks. Garry Fortune, INNSiDE's UK director of operations, said: “Over the last year we’ve seen a big rise in guests booking into our hotels and bringing their dogs too.
"The UK has a reputation of being a nation of pet lovers and we are definitely seeing that at INNSiDE." He said the collaboration with lifestyle store Purple Hound is "perfect for dog-lovers", adding "it means we have them covered if there are any forgotten items when they arrive".
He said: "More recently, we have seen guests celebrating their dog’s birthday with us so Purple Hound have created the ultimate birthday treat box for the kiosk.” Ceri Armstrong, who founded Purple Hound after struggling to find quality, stylish and durable products for pet labrador Lottie, is "thrilled" at the arrangement to offer its hand-picked products for doggy guests, and said: “We believe there is something very special about the connection between a dog and their humans and we're always looking for ways to enhance that relationship.”
INNSiDE, where dogs are also welcome in its terrace spaces, asks guests to tell it if advance if they are bringing pets, to comply with its policy, and it deep-cleans rooms thoroughly following the stay. For more about the hotel see here.
Read Next:
