Laneways By Ovolo, Melbourne

Laneways By Ovolo is a design-led boutique hotel at 19 Little Bourke Street, right in the Melbourne CBD beside Chinatown, and its dog policy is among the most generous in town: through the V.I.Pooch package, dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome, which makes it a rare city pick for larger breeds.

Dogs at the Laneways By Ovolo

Book the V.I.Pooch package directly with the hotel so a suitable room is allocated. It generally covers one dog, with a second dog possible for an extra charge of about $120 and a cap of two dogs per room. The package typically includes a dog bed, bowls and treats, and reception stocks spare poo bags. House rules are sensible: dogs stay leashed in public areas, never left unattended in the room, and stay out of food and beverage service areas.

Max: this is the city hotel to pick if your dog is big. Most Melbourne CBD options stop at small dogs, but the package here has no size cap, just confirm the second-dog fee before arrival.

The vibe

The Ovolo signatures apply: a free mini bar, free snacks, happy hour and rooms that run up to suites and a penthouse, all wrapped in a small, playful design language. Reviews score it highly for the beds, the extras and the service. It feels like a grown-up city hotel that refuses to take itself too seriously.

Getting there and parking

The hotel sits on Little Bourke Street between Spring and Exhibition Streets, walkable from Southern Cross or Parliament stations and close to tram routes across the CBD. There is no on-site car park; the hotel can direct you to nearby 24-hour Wilson Parking facilities on Little Collins or Bourke Street, with validated rates at reception.

While you're out there

The Eades Park fenced dog park in West Melbourne is the closest secure off-lead run to the CBD, and the Yarra Park dog off-leash area near the MCG offers big open grass for a proper burn-off.

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