Arena Hotel

Arena Hotel is a budget motel at 97 Hume Highway, Chullora, about 15 kilometres west of central Sydney, and one of the few stops in the area that takes dogs without inner-city prices. It is functional rather than stylish: simple rooms, free Wi-Fi, free on-site parking and 24-hour reception. For travelling owners it does the one important job, a practical overnight stop with the dog on board.

Dogs at the Arena Hotel

One pet per room, generally in a ground-floor room, with dogs and cats both accepted. Expect a pet fee of around AUD $50 per night plus a $200 deposit per stay; service animals are exempt from fees. Booking platforms have intermittently listed the property as not pet-friendly, so ring the hotel directly on +61 2 9758 7999 to confirm a pet room and current charges before you commit. Check-in runs from 2pm and check-out is 10am.

Worth knowing

Rooms are clean and serviceable with air conditioning, an ensuite, a fridge and tea and coffee basics, and guests regularly mention quiet rooms and helpful staff, though it is a dated property and service can be inconsistent. An outdoor BBQ area and guest laundry cover longer stays. The Hume Highway frontage means traffic noise day and night, so ask for a rear room if your dog startles easily, and bring something familiar to help them settle.

Max: the highway hums at all hours here. A room at the back and a familiar blanket from home make the difference between a settled dog and a barking one.

Getting there and parking

The motel sits directly on the Hume Highway at Chullora, easy to find by car from the M5 or King Georges Road, with free on-site parking. Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush and Bankstown are all within a short drive for walks, meals and supplies.

While you're out there

For morning exercise, Sydney Olympic Park off-leash area and Salt Pan Lake Dog Park are both close drives. If the Arena is full, Motel 10 at nearby Greenacre is another pet-friendly option on the same highway.

More options are on the New South Wales dog-friendly stays guide and the Chullora destination page.