Zagame's House

Zagame's House is a small, design-led hotel in Carlton, on the northern edge of the Melbourne CBD, and one of the few in the inner north that has built a proper dog program rather than a token welcome. Rooms are quiet and dark, the sort where a weekend lie-in actually happens even with a dog on the bed.

Dogs at Zagame's House

Only the Corner Suites take dogs, and they must be booked under the Fur-friendly rate, with a maximum of one dog per suite. Availability is limited, so call the hotel rather than relying on the online booking engine. There is a $140 departure deep-clean charge. On arrival you get a welcome goody bag, dog beds and bowls already set up, and an in-room dining menu with proper meals such as chicken with lentils or kangaroo with ancient grains. The front desk can also point you to dog walkers and groomers, and the hotel has a resident groodle who holds court in the lobby.

Max: Room service matters at a dog hotel. If the menu feeds the dog properly, you never have to leave the suite on a rainy night.

The boundaries

Dogs must be on a lead or in a carrier in all public areas. They are welcome in the Lobby Lounge but not in the wine bar, restaurant or gym, and they cannot be left alone in the room or in a vehicle. The wine bar is one of the hotel's better features, so plan evenings around it or order room service.

Out and about in Carlton

Carlton's parkland is the hotel's other drawcard. The Curtain Square Fenced Dog Park is a few minutes' walk and fully enclosed, and the Princes Park Dog Off Leash Area (North) has the open space for a proper morning run. The Princes Park Circular walk loops the sporting ovals if you prefer a long on-lead lap.

More inner-city options are on the dog-friendly stays in Victoria page, and the neighbourhood is covered on the Carlton guide.