Almond Inn Motel

Almond Inn Motel is a no-frills Tamworth motel at 389 Armidale Road with a pet policy that is unusually easy to plan around: designated pet-friendly rooms, up to two dogs of any size, and a large lawn out the back for toilet breaks. For travellers crossing the New England region with dogs, that combination beats the usual ring-around.

Dogs at the Almond Inn Motel

Dogs stay in the designated pet-friendly rooms only, two per room, and there is no size limit. The pet surcharge runs around AU$25 per pet per night, so confirm the current fee and a pet room's availability at booking. Outside the room, dogs stay on a lead, must not be left unattended, and need to stay quiet enough not to disturb other guests. Cats are not accepted, and keep dogs off the furniture and beds. The motel's pet policy page spells the rules out plainly, which is half the appeal.

Max: two dogs, any size, is a generous cap for a motel. Just do not test the unattended rule, it is written explicitly for a reason.

The stay

Reviews describe a motel in two halves: newly renovated rooms alongside some older ones, several with a kitchenette, plus a breakfast room for the morning. Set expectations for a comfortable, practical stay rather than a resort. The large unfenced lawn behind the rooms is the dog's patch, and it is big enough for a proper stretch after a long drive, though it is not a secure off-leash run so keep the lead handy if your dog wanders.

Close by with the dogs

Armidale Road puts you a short drive from the CBD for supplies and a lead-up coffee, and Tamworth's dog-friendly options are decent for a regional centre. The Best Western Sanctuary Inn on Marius Street is the other reliable pet-room motel in town with a fenced grass enclosure, and the Tamworth Holiday Park covers the powered-site option if you are towing.

Best Western Sanctuary Inn and Tamworth Holiday Park are the fallbacks when pet rooms or sites are full, and Oliver Brown makes an easy lead-up coffee stop in town.