Boronia Lodge

Boronia Lodge is a renovated 1910 Federation guesthouse at 7 Boronia Avenue in Burwood, a short walk from Burwood station, and one of the few genuinely pet-friendly places to stay in Sydney's inner west. Twenty rooms range from standard rooms with shared bathrooms to studios and one-bedroom apartments, all with kitchenettes.

Dogs at Boronia Lodge

The lodge has a real pet-friendly reputation among reviewers, but the policy is applied case by case and can depend on the room, so call (02) 9744 9927 before booking and ask specifically for a pet-friendly room. No size limit or pet fee is published, so confirm any extra charge on the same call. It is worth doing before you arrive rather than assuming at the door.

The place

This is an older, no-frills guesthouse rather than a polished hotel: self-contained units with fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster, so you can manage your dog's food and water without the front desk, plus a garden area and BBQ facilities. Free on-site parking is included, which is unusual this close to the train line. Check-in runs from 2pm, and the lodge recommends calling ahead to arrange key collection anyway.

Close by with the dogs

For off-lead time, Gardiners Creek Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is the local option in Burwood, and Bressington Park Fenced Dog Park at Homebush is a few minutes' drive with agility gear and double gates. Burwood Westfield is close for supplies, and if the lodge is full, Victoria House Motor Inn at Croydon is the nearby alternative.

More options are on the NSW dog friendly stays guide and the Burwood destination page.

Max: confirm the pet-friendly room and any fee by phone before you book, the policy is real but the details are not nailed down online.