Bayswater Boutique Lodge - Potts Point

Bayswater Boutique Lodge is a budget guesthouse on the Potts Point and Rushcutters Bay edge, a few minutes' walk from the harbour foreshore, and it is one of the few genuinely dog-friendly stays in this part of inner Sydney. Dogs are welcome, but only in a defined set of terrace rooms, so the booking details matter more here than at a resort.

Dogs at the Bayswater Boutique Lodge

The lodge's own terms limit pets to specific terrace rooms, arranged in advance rather than assumed at check-in. The official FAQ quotes a pet cleaning fee of $55 per night, though some booking platforms list higher figures, so confirm the rate when you reserve. Dogs must not be left unattended in the room or disturb other guests, and owners carry the cost of any damage or extra cleaning. Pet-friendly rooms are limited and book out, particularly on weekends.

Max: Email ahead and get the terrace room confirmed in writing. Turn up with a dog in a standard room and you will be turned around.

The vibe

This is a no-frills boutique lodge rather than a hotel: expect a comfy bed, kitchenette access in many rooms, balconies on some, and a mix of shared-bathroom and ensuite options. Reviews flag the absence of air conditioning, which matters in a Sydney summer if your dog handles heat badly. It suits one or two people with a well-mannered dog who want a central, walk-everywhere base rather than resort facilities.

Worth knowing

The location is the payoff. Rushcutters Bay Park is right on the doorstep, with City of Sydney rules allowing off-leash exercise between 3:30pm and 10:30am daily and requiring leads through the middle of the day. Dogs are prohibited at all times from Reg Bartley Oval, the tennis courts and the playground areas, so keep to the open lawns and foreshore path.

Close by with the dogs

Walk the park's harbourside foreshore for the morning off-leash window, then head to Scramble And Bean beside the tennis courts for a dog-welcoming coffee. Beare Park at Elizabeth Bay is a quieter lawn a short stroll around the point.

Browse more dog friendly stays in NSW or plan around Rushcutters Bay.