If you're have a pet, you'll know that an overnight getaway just isn't the same without your fur baby in tow. Thankfully, a new breed of modern hotels is cottoning on to our animal-obsessed ways and delivering pet-friendly accommodation options all over Australia. The latest of these is Richmond's Element — an eco-conscious Westin brand hotel that's welcoming guests of both the human and four-legged variety. The Swan Street venue also marks Element's Australian debut.
The hotel is kitted out with 168 suites, sporting a contemporary design by award-winning local architects Rothelowman and rocking a colour palette inspired by native Australian flora. But to be fair, your pooch probably doesn't give a toss about the clean, modern lines, or the eco-friendly elements like LED lighting, energy-efficient kitchenettes and water-saving taps.
They will, however, be pretty keen on being able to stay with you in your room. Comfy dog beds are available for any four-legged guests, though there is a maximum of two dogs per room and they can't weigh more than 20 kilograms each — apologies to all those particularly leggy hounds and hefty pooches. The hotel also has dog-friendly mini-bar offerings, with a specially curated pet degustation (dog-ustation?) menu featuring bites like the 'Quarter Hounder' (pan-fried steak served with green vegetables) and 'The Good Dog' (market fish with steamed carrot). If you are bringing along your canine mate, there's an $80 pet cleaning fee per room, per stay.
Of course, there's plenty in the way of onsite eats and drinks for humans, too. The main dining space transforms daily from a breakfast cafe to Mint Lane Restaurant & Bar for lunch and dinner, and there's a 24-hour grab-and-go pantry stocked with a sizeable range of snacks and other essentials.
In keeping with the whole Westin label, the hotel also has a strong wellness focus, catering to active guests on the go. You'll find yoga classes, a 24-hour high-tech gym and even a free Bikes-to-Borrow bicycle hire program.
Melbourne pet owners are having a pretty great run of late. Just a couple of weeks ago the Southside's Chapel Street stretch became Australia's first permanently pet-friendly major shopping precinct, while over in St Kilda, the Newmarket Hotel is now whipping up dog-friendly parmas.
Find Element Melbourne at 588 Swan St, Richmond.