International Dog Day, which falls on August 26 each year, is just around the corner.
The celebration started in the US in 2004, when the animal advocate and pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige chose the date to mark the anniversary of the day her family adopted her first dog from a shelter.
More than two decades later, it is a good excuse for a pet-friendly staycation.
Across the UAE, a growing number of hotels are making room for four-legged guests, including beachfront resorts, desert retreats and city-centre spots. Some offer little more than a bed and bowl, but others go considerably further, with welcome treats, dedicated dining areas and, in one case, a resident Saluki.
Here are some to check out.
Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown
Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is marking the occasion with its Pet-Friendly Stay Experience, available until August 31. Rates start at Dh500 and include dedicated in-room amenities and outdoor dining, where dogs can accompany their owners.
The hotel’s most charming resident is Sawyer, a rescued Saluki adopted from the Stray Dogs Centre in October 2025. He is now the hotel’s unofficial ambassador, greeting guests and lending a personal touch to the lobby.
The relationship with the Stray Dogs Centre runs deep. After staff fostered two abandoned Huskies three years ago, the hotel developed a continuing partnership with the organisation, supporting fundraising and donations.
During the current promotion, Dh200 from every pet stay is donated to the centre, helping fund the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned animals.
Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island
This property in Ras Al Khaimah takes the pet-friendly resort concept to the beach, with designated accommodation and access to outdoor areas near the chalets and shoreline.
There are designated pet-friendly rooms – primarily beachfront chalets – with up to two dogs permitted per room and a maximum weight of 35kg. There is an additional Dh250 charge per pet, per night, together with a refundable Dh500 security deposit.
The welcome is practical but considered – the specialised rooms are equipped with beds and treats and the outdoor setting allows dogs more freedom than they would find in a city hotel. The main indoor dining areas are off-limits, however.
JA Hatta Fort Hotel
JA Hatta Fort Hotel in Hatta offers mountains rather than marina views, and a landscape in which dogs can enjoy the outdoors, with certain caveats.
Up to two dogs can stay in designated pet-friendly rooms, chalets or cabins. Beds, bowls and pet-friendly menu options can be requested, while owners can dine with their dogs in designated outdoor areas such as the Palm Tree Garden, or opt for room service.
Dogs must be on a lead at all times, however, because the property is home to free-roaming wildlife including deer, goats and birds. The reward is a country-style escape where walks come with considerably more scenery than the average urban dog park.
Aldhafra Resort, Vignette Collection
For those who prefer a weekend in the desert to one in the city, Aldhafra Resort, Vignette Collection sits on the edge of the Empty Quarter, in Abu Dhabi, surrounded by dunes and seemingly endless desert.
Dogs and cats are welcome for Dh70 a day, with a deep-cleaning fee of Dh350. Rooms overlook the desert, and the resort offers a mix of family activities, desert experiences, spa treatments and Arabian and international dining.
Rates start at Dh550 a night. For a pet owner, the appeal is obvious, as the desert's vast expanse is great for dogs who need to stretch their legs. For any dog with less-than-perfect recall, however, it's best to either keep them on a (long) lead or fit them with a tracker to keep everyone safe.
InterContinental Residences Dubai Business Bay
For longer stays, InterContinental Residences Dubai Business Bay offers a more residential solution. Guests staying for 30 nights or more can bring dogs and cats, with a Dh500 cleaning fee per room.
Ideal for new arrivals to the city looking for a temporary home as they find their feet, the residences overlook Burj Khalifa, Dubai Canal and the city skyline, while the Guest Experience and Front Office teams provide personalised service and treats for four-legged residents. Rates start at Dh439 a night.
W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
Built around the famous Yas Marina Circuit – home of Formula One's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – W Abu Dhabi allows dogs weighing up to 18kg to stay for a non-refundable Dh350 fee.
Canines can spend time in the pet-friendly lobby and designated green spaces, while several nearby restaurants along Yas Marina and Yas Bay welcome them outdoors. Pets will enjoy a welcome pack of a comfortable pet bed, food and water bowls, and can order from a specialised in-room “PAW” menu.
A dog-sitter can also be booked in advance. Microchipping is required, and guests must present an up-to-date vaccination card at check-in.
Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain
For those who want to swap the city for the sound of the sea, Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain occupies a quieter stretch of the Gulf coast, where the pace is distinctly more languid.
Small dogs weighing up to 10kg are welcome in designated areas of the shoreline, where they can swim and play in the sea. At Stage2 and Origins, they can also accompany their owners on the terraces for a meal or a snack.
Pet-friendly rooms come equipped with beds, bowls and toys for Dh150 per stay, with an additional Dh50 per pet per day for cleaning. Proof of vaccination is required at check-in.
