Two Dorset hotels have scooped top prizes in PetsPyjamas’ 2020 Dog-Friendly Travel Awards.

The Eastbury Hotel and Spa in Sherborne was the Best in Show winner while Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant in Evershot received the Best For Pets Perks award.

They were among 11 locations in the UK recognised in the awards staged by dog-friendly holiday company PetsPyjamas.

The awards were judged on:

• Dog-loving atmosphere and staff at all times.
• Three or more dog-friendly rooms available to book.
• Four-legged access to some of the property’s communal areas and the ability to dine with their owners – a special pet menu is a bonus.
• Dog facilities and provisions such as a bed, bowls and treats in the hotel room or cottage.
• Nearby dog-friendly attractions such as doggy walks or a dog-friendly beach.

The Eastbury Hotel and Spa impressed PetsPyjamas judges, and received its Best in Show title, due to walks straight from the doorstep, a walled garden for doggy exploring, a dine with your dog option in a special part of the hotel’s 2AA Rosette Seasons Restaurant and doggie meals expertly prepared in the kitchen and delivered to the room.

Peter and Lana de Savary, Owners of The Eastbury Hotel and Spa said: “The Eastbury Hotel and Spa, with access to lovely country walks and a large private garden, is ideal for dogs.

“We would not dream of staying in a hotel that would not welcome us with Monty; our Chihuahua.

“We enjoy the delight our guests have when they have their well-behaved dogs with them.

“After all, your dog is part of your family and we welcome families at The Eastbury!”

Grade II listed Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant received the Best for Pet Perks award thanks to its dog-friendly rooms, including a dog bed; ‘woof’ towels and a ‘dog in room’ door hanger so staff can ready themselves to welcome a four-legged friend.

There’s also a dog wash station to rinse pups after walks and a dogs menu.

Alex and Jack Mackenzie, General Managers, said: “Seeing both the owners and dogs enjoying the hotel and gardens is such a pleasure for us.

“Dogs have always played a very important part in the lives of our owners, The Tollman family.

“As General Managers we are also the proud owners of a very friendly Jackadach called Rodney, so it is  brilliant to have dogs around us every day at work.”

Denise Elphick, Co-founder of PetsPyjamas, said: “With these awards we wanted to say a really big thank you to all these wonderful properties, who have really excelled with their four-legged welcome, offering even more dog-friendly extras for our canine guests including doggie spa options, dining with your dog and their own special meals.

“We are delighted  to report a huge demand for these dog-friendly properties from our customers who wish to reward their pets for their devotion.”

Founded in 2014, PetsPyjamas organises petaways at more than 10,000 hotels, cottages, country houses and B&Bs in the UK and abroad.

• www.petspyjamas.com