Dorsett Melbourne

Dorsett Melbourne is a hotel on Little Lonsdale Street near Southern Cross Station, on the quiet western edge of the CBD. It runs a dedicated dog package called Holidays for Hounds, built around pet rooms with a private furnished balcony, which is the detail that separates it from most city hotels that simply tolerate dogs.

Dogs at the Dorsett Melbourne

The package covers one dog up to 20kg per reservation, staying in designated room types including the Deluxe Twin Balcony and Executive King. Your dog gets an Australian-made Snooza Snuggler orthopaedic foam bed, a designer water and food bowl, and access to a gourmet pet menu through room service. The hotel's general facilities, including the indoor pool, steam room and spa, are for humans. Accredited assistance dogs are exempt from the usual limits.

The important booking detail: the hotel is not automatically pet-friendly on every rate. You have to book the pet package or a pet-designated room directly, so confirm the fee and the balcony allocation for your dates rather than assuming a standard booking will fly.

The vibe

Reviewers consistently call out the interior design and the beds, and the location near Southern Cross means trains, trams and airport buses are all within a block. The Docklands waterfront promenades are a short walk west for an on-lead evening stroll along the water.

Getting there and parking

The hotel is at 615 Little Lonsdale Street, essentially next door to Southern Cross Station, so the SkyBus from the airport and every metro line land you at the door. Driving in is optional rather than necessary; the hotel has parking but CBD rates apply.

Close by with the dogs

For an off-lead stretch, Southbank Small Dog Park and Moray Street Reserve Fenced Dog Park are both south of the river. Alternative bases include AC Hotel Melbourne Southbank and Park Hyatt Melbourne.

More options are on the Victoria pet friendly stays guide and the Melbourne destination page.