Pet Friendly Manchester with Kate Lawler

Welcome to the next instalment of our pet friendly travel feature with the lovely Kate Lawler and her two dogs, Baxter and Kevin. Over the next few issues we will be taking Kate, Baxter and Kevin on a tour of different pet friendly hotels and areas across the UK. This issue we travel to Manchester!

Meet Kate…
I’m on a mission to find the best Dog Friendly accommodation in Great Britain.
So far my travels have taken me to Brighton and Essex. The next stop is Manchester. I love this city, for many reasons. It has great restaurants, wonderful night life, but most of all the people are lovely. The journey with my boyfriend and two beloved pet pooches, Baxter and Kevin began in Birmingham.

We had a stress-free 90 minute journey and arrived in Manchester around 2pm on Saturday afternoon. We decided to head straight to Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, a suburban area of Manchester before heading onto The Malmaison Hotel where we were to enjoy our pet friendly stay.

Chorlton is about 4 miles from the city centre and takes around 11 minutes by car to get to from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station. After spending 4 hours there I’m completely in love with Chorlton.

We ate in The Horse & Jockey Inn, a dog-friendly pub that serves the most delicious roast pork, stuffing and apple sauce baked french bread with home-made french fries! I wanted another… The pub staff welcomed Baxter and Kevin with open arms, gave the doggies lots of fuss, and treats! They even served ‘Dog Beer’ behind the bar which I found hilarious. The dogs drank all of it! We then went for a walk in the meadows where we met my friend Amy and the dog she rescued 4 months ago.

His name is Lebowski. Baxter, Kevin and Bowski ran and played for a good hour on the meadows then Amy walked us all to a new Pet Boutique that had opened not far from The Horse & Jockey Inn. The boutique was called Betty & Butch and opened in November 2011. It was fabulous. I bought Kevin a new really good quality coat for just £14.99, he looked so smart when I tried it on him. After shopping for dog coats, sprays and treats we walked to The Parlour, another dog-friendly pub. It was gorgeous inside. Apparently they serve award-winning Sunday Lunches but unfortunately we couldn’t go back on the Sunday as we had to get back to Birmingham. We enjoyed a nice glass of wine and met lots of people in the pub with their dogs too.

We arrived at The Malmaison Hotel, about 6:30pm and for those who have never been, I can only describe it as a luxury boutique gem! The moment we arrived, the staff were happy and helpful. In our room, we had a living area section, as well as the bedroom area and a gorgeous modern bathroom. Out in the living area, next to the L-Shaped Sofa, were two doggy beds, bowls and treats for Baxter and Kevin. We dined downstairs around 8pm in the ‘Smoak Bar & Grill’ which is the hotels superb restaurant. The service was 10 out of 10.

The staff were extremely well mannered and well informed. The food was better than some five star restaurants I’ve eaten in. We had a really enjoyable meal, the restaurant was very busy with a really cool vibe and situated next to it was a bar with people enjoying drinks before and after their meals. We headed straight to bed after dinner and had the most amazing night sleep. The bed was HUGE and really comfortable. Having black-out curtains meant we slept for almost 9 hours (a long time for Adam my boyfriend and I).

The next morning we were up, showered and out of the hotel by 11am, not before a delicious and mouth-watering breakfast though. A wide range of choices at Breakfast is what makes a hotel stay super enjoyable for me and The Malmaison makes sure that every area is covered. If you’re trying to be healthy, you’ve fresh fruits, yoghurts, cereals and juices to choose from. For those who like to indulge on carbs (like myself) there are croissants, muffins and danish pastries aplenty! I chose Porridge from the menu with honey and I ate every mouthful. We shared a croissant, a blueberry muffin and Adam my partner had an omelette too. Inevitably we both got food envy when the couple next to us were handed a full english breakfast and eggs benedict! I know for next time to order something a little more hearty.

Everything about The Malmaison I love and so I’d give it a 9 out of 10. The only reason I didn’t give it 10 out of 10 is because we were put on the 3rd floor, and whenever we wanted to take Baxter and Kevin out for ‘pee pees & poo poo’s’ we had to go down in a lift and then once we were outside, it was city centre as you would imagine i.e. concrete pavements and roads, traffic and lack of parks. Having nowhere to let the boys off their leads or go do their business (Baxter will only go on grass!) was a bit of a hindrance. Maybe if the Malmaison had a small patio or garden area within the hotel grounds it would have been nice for the doggies to go out and have a sniff, a wee, and a walk around with the leads on.

Other than that our stay was wonderful and the doggies had an amazing time too. I was shocked to discover that a city centre boutique hotel like The Malmaison was pet friendly. I doubt a lot of people knew this either but if you’re planning on going to Manchester and you can’t bare to be apart from your four legged friend, then head to The Malmaison and they can enjoy the trip too!


See you next time…..


Article by Kate Lawler for K9 Magazine

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Other articles of interest:

Pet Friendly Brighton with Kate Lawler
Pet Friendly Hertfordshire with Kate Lawler

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Pet Friendly Hertfordshire with Kate Lawler

Welcome to the next instalment of our pet friendly travel feature with the lovely Kate Lawler and her two dogs, Baxter and Kevin. Over the next few issues we will be taking Kate, Baxter and Kevin on a tour of different pet friendly hotels and areas across the UK. This issue we travel to the Hertfordshire/Essex border.

Meet Kate…

My first pet friendly review was a beach-front boutique hotel in Brighton and this month, it’s a completely different experience.

If historic buildings, beautiful gardens and classically ‘British’ breaks take your fancy then you’ll want to visit Down Hall Country House Hotel. It’s around 45 minutes from Central London in Hatfield Heath, on the Hertfordshire and Essex border. It’s also ideally near London Stansted Airport. Down Hall is one of the AA’s leading pet friendly hotels and it’s easy to see why. My boyfriend Adam, and our Border Terrier – Baxter, and I are staying for 2 days and 1 night. Kevin our other dog is boarding with friends at their home, recovering after an operation.

The three of us arrive at around midday. The grandeur, elegance and character of Down Hall are instantly recognisable upon arrival. After a slow drive down a wide gravelly private road, admiring the stunning gardens, we pull up outside the most gorgeous victorian country house. It’s very impressive. I almost feel like I’m at Buckingham Palace! Baxter jumps out of the car, sniffs around and stretches his legs after a two and a half hour drive from Birmingham…..

We are greeted by two extremely friendly members of staff at reception. Unfortunately Baxter decides to pee on the carpet as we’re checking in. It’s not just a little pee either. A very embarrassing start to the weekend but the staff were absolutely fine about it, to the point that they found it funny (luckily!).

It’s quite a long walk to our room, recognising instantly what a big hotel Down Hall is. As we pass the restaurant, the smell of delicious food being cooked is extremely inviting. Our room is lovely, spacious, comfortable, and very classic in design. Pet owners you’ll love the pooch welcome pack if you enjoy spoiling your beloved four legged friend. Waiting for Baxter was a dog bowl, with treats, a chewbone, a welcome card with do’s and don’ts on, wrapped in a big bow. Nice touch.

What I love the most is that our room has french doors that open with views to a beautifully landscaped garden. As a dog owner, this makes life incredibly easy as we can let Baxter out to do his business without having to walk all the way through the hotel and exit through reception. Once the doors were open and Baxter was taking advantage of the enormous well-maintained gardens, running free, sniffing the ground, going to the toilet and sprinting back for a Down Hall doggy treat. We notice the hotel has put other dog owners on the ground floor, in the double rooms that also have the doors leading out to the garden. Very thoughtful, thumbs up to Down Hall.

After a long walk in the beautiful grounds, my boyfriend and I took advantage of the Cream Tea served in a historic lounge in front of a roaring log fire. This is my ideal afternoon, and because it’s a pet friendly hotel, Baxter was able to chill out with us which really makes a difference when you’re staying in a hotel. He got a lot of attention from others staying at the hotel and lapped it up as usual! We decided to have a siesta before heading out to a gorgeous country pub just a five minute drive from the hotel. It is called The White Horse Inn and served the most incredible steak and stout pie, mashed potatoes, vegetables and gravy, not forgetting a superb chocolate fudge cake with cream. Reasonably priced and a warm welcoming atmosphere inside.

It’s now time for bed, very early which is rare for us on a Saturday Night!

Sunday morning and we’ve had the most amazing night sleep. Extremely comfortable mattress and because of the black out curtains, we slept for longer than usual! Baxter finishes off his doggy treats provided by the hotel, has a little run around the garden, it’s a gorgeous day so we decide to take him for a long walk and find out that 110 acres of woodland, parkland and gardens surround the hotel. Perfect for dog walking! Before we take Baxter out we indulge in a hearty Full English Breakfast which is huge! Good coffee too.

On our 2 hour walk through the woodland, Baxter had the time of his life. Not only did he chase squirrels and meet other doggies but he came in to contact with 2 Alpacas!! They were amazing. Adam and I had never met Alpacas before either and a sign next to them said ‘Warning! The Alpacas may spit!’ We ignored the warning and got spat at which wasn’t very nice but we laughed about it afterwards! I think Baxter was a little scared of them after that.

We didn’t want to leave Down Hall it was a short but perfect break and as far as Pet Friendly Hotels go, it’s up there with the best. Whether you’re looking for a secluded romantic break or a gigantic lavish wedding, it’s a gorgeous venue, very impressive, and most importantly it’s PET FRIENDLY!  Being located to a major airport is handy, and only 45 minutes outside of central London an added bonus. With rooms starting at just £89 you cannot go wrong. Top marks for Down Hall Country House Hotel.

Posted by K9 Magazine 




Articles of interest - 


Pet Friendly Brighton with Kate Lawler

Clix Car Safe Harness

Pet Friendly Brighton with Kate Lawler

Welcome to our first instalment of a brand new pet friendly travel feature with the lovely Kate Lawler and her two dogs, Baxter and Kevin. Over the next few issues we will be taking Kate, Baxter and Kevin on a tour of different pet friendly hotels and areas across the UK.

Meet Kate…
In January 2011 I became a dog owner. I now have two – Baxter a 1 year old Border Terrier and Kevin, a 7 month old Yorkie. I cannot imagine life without dogs now that I have them but with my job, over the past year I’ve found it quite difficult.

I’m a DJ, and at least two weekends a month I drive up and down the country to DJ at various nightclubs. It’s great fun but I also use it as an opportunity to take my dogs on a little adventure, so we can explore the beautiful english countryside, beaches and woodland together. The only downside is that I haven’t found a great deal of ‘Dog Friendly’ Hotels and most of the time, the promoter will book a hotel for me that isn’t pet friendly meaning the dogs stay at home with my partner and I travel alone. So I decided to review Dog Friendly Hotels for K9 Magazine and our first stop is BRIGHTON.

Brighton is in East Sussex, on the south coast of Great Britain. Popular with tourists and day-trippers, it offers something for everyone. Beautiful restaurants, cool and funky bars, lovely beaches and parks as well as being the shopping destination from heaven. It is also one of the most cultural cities in Europe. We are visiting The Oriental Hotel…..

Friday 7pm: Bags packed, car filled with petrol, Baxter and Kevin strapped safely in the back seat and off we go. Goodbye Birmingham, see you in a couple of days.

Friday 10pm: A pretty smooth journey, both the doggies well behaved although we’ve only had Kevin one week and he’d not been in a car before meeting us. He was a very nervous traveller and was sick just as we pulled up out side The Oriental Hotel (much to the annoyance of my other half Adam – it went all over his cardigan).

Friday 10:30pm: Sick cleaned up, car unloaded, we look as though we’re staying for a month with the amount of luggage we’re carrying! Check in was easy and the staff are very friendly. As you enter The Oriental, it’s warm and small, but not dingy. Very cosy in fact. A cute cocktail bar on the ground floor also acts as the reception area and to the left of it are around 6 tables with chairs, where breakfast is served.

Friday 12am: After returning home from a local pub with friends, we find Kevin and Baxter snuggled up on the beautiful chocolate brown suede sofa in our suite. We are in Room 7, the very top of the building. It is quiet and secluded which is perfect for us but I guess the only down side is that we’re having to go down 3 flights of stairs to take the boys out for wee wee’s. Still, every cloud – climbing stairs is good for you!

The room is spacious, and well thought out. A living area as you enter, with a gorgeous and modern red and white bathroom off of it. It’s open plan which I like and as you move in to the room to our left is a beautiful big and extremely comfortable bed. Wooden flooring is a bonus in case the doggies have any accidents. We fall asleep and look forward to walkies the next day.

Saturday 10am: The memory foam mattress was divine! We all slept well. Kevin and Baxter woke me at 8am licking my face. I popped them on their leads, guided them down the stairs and walked out of the hotel so they could pee. As I look to my left I can see the sea! A 1 minute walk down to the beach and the boys are off their leads running like lunatics across the pebbles towards the sea. Baxter braves it and enjoys a brief splash in the sea while Kevin watches with caution.

Back to the hotel and breakfast is served. Delicious. Coffee, juices, granola covered in natural yoghurt with fresh fruit followed by a full english fry up and that’s us full up for the day! We then took the dogs to a park which was 15 minutes away by foot. The park is full of dogs, playing, running, chasing squirrels it’s a lovely sunny day, blue skies and surprisingly warm for October.

Saturday 4pm: After leaving the park and walking to the beach for half an hour play with our friends 2 Staffies, Baxter and Kevin are shattered but Rhian from Brighton Dog Photography is waiting at The Oriental Hotel for todays photo shoot. Some of the shots are taken in the hotel room which is warm and comfortable, then it’s down to the pier for the final few pictures. It’s chilly but fun. I think the dogs enjoyed it.

Saturday 11pm: What a day, Adam and I have just returned from The Ginger Dog. An extraordinary Gastro-Pub in Kemp Town serving the most magnificent and mouth watering hearty and filling food. The staff were lovely and to top it off it’s a dog friendly restaurant. Kevin and Baxter did not join us tonight as they were fast asleep at the hotel. It was nice to have some alone time with Adam as well. Bed time now and I’ve never seen the doggies look so tired. Today has worn them both out but I’ve a feeling they’ve loved every minute of Brighton.

Sunday 11:30am: I was right, Kevin and Baxter were exhausted. They slept until 9am! Bliss. We took them to the beach for their walk this morning and returned to enjoy the hotels fantastic breakfast again before check out. I almost feel as though I’ve got to know the staff despite only staying for two nights. We say our goodbyes and drive home to Birmingham.

The Oriental Hotel is a more like a B&B but very Boutiquey which makes it unique and personable. The rooms are clean, fresh and modern. I’d recommend it to anyone, in fact I’ve already recommended it to my friend who’s going to Brighton next weekend with her family and they’re going to stay there. With rooms starting at around £75 you can’t go wrong and that’s including breakfast. Dogs are most welcome too which is perfect. The location gets 10 out 10 too. 5-10 minutes from Brighton Pier by foot. 2 minutes from the beach. 15 minutes from a beautiful park and shops, restaurants and bars are on the doorstep and a car park just around the corner. An incredible start to my Dog Friendly Hotel Reviews.

Article by Kate Lawler for K9 Magazine

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Travelling dogs - restraints in the car

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