Pet-Friendly Hotels In India For A Getaway With Your Pet

Because they deserve downtime and vacation as much as we do. Here are some tips, ideas and places to go to in India, when travelling with your furry babies. Travelling with pets is exciting—my pet has helped me step out of my comfort zone, made me chase after him up a high hill, agitated an elephant enough to pursue us through a forest, and given me some truly memorable dinnertime stories.

Travelling with your furry babies is also important for pet parents like me who don’t like leaving kids behind when they go vagabonding. However, to be honest, planning travel with animals in tow can be a long-winded affair.

You have to scout for pet-friendly places. Then you have to consider the modes of transport. If it’s your first time travelling with your pet, do a trial run at a local hotel or resort before you head out to see how your furry baby feels about being away from home in a strange, new place. Also, flying or taking the train with your pet can be tricky. You’ll emerge frazzled from complicated processes, too much paperwork and wary authorities, not least from the lack of pet-friendly accommodation choices.

This is exactly why we’ve done some groundwork and dug up some really cool pet-friendly hotels and resorts from across the country—be it a farm in the hills of Tamil Nadu or a beachside resort in sunny Goa…. Because they deserve downtime and vacation as much as we do.

Here are some tips, ideas and places to go to in India, when travelling with your furry babies.

Hulivana Resort, a Pet-friendly hotel in Karnataka

Nestled deep in the hilly rainforest of Sakleshpur in the Western Ghats, Hulivana is overlooked by Jenkalbetta, the highest peak in the region. This eco-resort can only be reached on horseback or in a 4×4, driven by Sunil, the owner, because the drive is as treacherous as it is breathtaking.

The moment we drove into the safety of the resort (wild animals still lurk around, and dogs happen to be their preferred meals!), our pet was off the leash, and so he remained for the rest of the stay. Rolling hills, a spring-fed pond, waterfalls, little streams and dense foliage made for an inviting playground for our pet. Electricity is produced with a hydro-turbine and is available sparsely in the evening. One can’t complain, though, because the hillside lends itself beautifully towards small, unobtrusive camp fires, and gives an opportunity for new friendships and real conversations.

Address of Hulivana Resort, Karnataka
Hulivana Rainforest Retreat, Hodchalli, Hanbal Hobli, Sakleshpur, Karnataka
Phone 9845439017
Website www.hulivana.com

How to get to Hulivana Resort, Karnataka
Take a flight to Bengaluru or Mangalore. The nearest railway station is Sakleshpur. From there, drive down to Hulivana.

Destiny Farmstay, a Pet-friendly hotel in Tamil Nadu

This farm stay is in the Nilgiris, 25 km from Ooty, a little after Emerald Isle. It’s a self-sufficient eco-farm that produces its own vegetables and fruits, and has horses, cows, rabbits, geese, sheep and dogs on its vast stretch. Destiny gives you the opportunity to learn horse-riding from trained stable hands, besides enjoying rappelling, golfing and good ol’ camping on the farm grounds.

We kept our pet on the leash when we were amidst other guests, but otherwise he ran free, sprawling near the lake and loping along beside us when we went riding to the nearby Sunset Point. Destiny Farmstay charges INR 600 over the room tariff for each pet, and you have to carry your own pet food.

Address of Destiny Farmstay
Destiny Farmstay, Near Avalanche Dam, Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Phone: 0423 2244000
Website: www.littlearth.in/destiny/farm

How to get to Destiny Farmstay
Take a flight to Coimbatore or Chennai. The nearest well-connected railway stations are Chennai and Coimbatore. From there, drive down to Destiny.

Dalhousie Retreat Cottages, a Pet-friendly hotel in Himachal Pradesh

A small cottage property in gorgeous Dalhousie, this one stands out for its apple orchards, forest walks, wild daisies and its pet-friendly accommodation. The three-cottage stay can house six people and is made entirely of glass, stone and wood, maximising on the elevation and expansive views of the Dhauladhar-Pir
Panjal range. This 1,500-sq-yard property is all-access for pets to run around, but the management does advise you to keep them nearby and in sight since the adjacent forests and hills abound with bears.

When visiting Dalhousie Retreat Cottages, carry your walking shoes along as the property opens up to an easy, four-km trek that skirts the nearby Bakrota Hill. The Khajjiar meadow and Kalatop forest reserve are ideal places to go walking with your pet in tow. Besides, they are very close to Dalhousie and make for a fun picnic.

Address of Dalhousie Retreat Cottages
Dalhousie Retreat, Upper Bakrota, Tagore Road, Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh
Phone: 9830012725
Website: www.dalhousieretreat.com

How to get to Dalhousie Retreat Cottages
Fly to Jammu or Amritsar and take a cab to Dalhousie. You can also take a train
to Pathankot, the nearest town, and then drive down.

Cavala Resort, a Pet-friendly hotel in Goa

We decided to lush in Goa for my birthday. Since I wanted Kratos, my pooch, to enjoy sun, sand and sea as much as everyone else, we zeroed in on the iconic Cavala, in Baga, that can be recognised by its ivy-clad, red laterite façade built in Portuguese-Goan style.

They allow pets in certain rooms, and mostly run full round the year. So make sure you call them well in advance to secure a place. We were given a room with a balcony for Kratos to lounge in and converse with the birds. He was also allowed in public spaces, such as the restaurant, during the daytime when it wasn’t crowded and music wasn’t discomfiting. However, when in Goa, one has to hit the beaches, and that’s what we did, and boy, did he enjoy the waves and the breeze!

Address of Cavala Resort, Goa
Cavala Resort, Baga-Saunta Vaddo, Calangute, Goa
Phone 0832 2276090/7587
Website www.cavala.com

How to get to Cavala Resort, Goa
Take a flight to Goa Airport, or take a train to Panjim railway station, and then a cab to Baga Beach.

Emerald Trail, a Pet-friendly hotel in Uttarakhand

This eco-friendly homestay in Bhimtal comes highly recommended from friends who are pet parents. One of the few places which understands and addresses the limitations that pet families face while travelling, Emerald Trail is an off-the-leash property which lets your furry babies run free on its three-acre spread. They have trained and friendly staff who can babysit them if you want some me-time or want to go sightseeing. Guests visiting with pets are given well-spaced-out cottages with private gardens.

Away from the bustle of Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal lake, Emerald Trail is located in a sleepy village called Jungaliagaon, and lays emphasis on sustainable travel. The resort serves food that is largely produced at its farm, and is run on solar energy.

Address of Emerald Trail, Uttarakhand
Emerald Trail, Jungaliagaon, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand
Phone: 9833949954
Website: www.emeraldtrail.in

How to get to Emerald Trail, Uttarakhand
Take a flight to Delhi and then drive down to Bhimtal, and from there head straight to Emerald Trail. You can also take a train to Kathgodam and then hire a cab to Jungaliagaon.

Pro-tip: If it’s your first time travelling with pets, do a trial run at a local hotel before you head out to see how your furry baby feels about being away from home.