Gateway Motel

The Gateway Motel sits on the Windsor Road strip in Vineyard, on Sydney's north-western fringe, and it takes dogs in a handful of designated rooms on request. It is a straightforward roadside motel rather than a destination in itself, which makes it most useful for a night on the way to or from the Hawkesbury and Hunter routes.

Dogs at the Gateway Motel

Dogs are allowed only in the Deluxe Rooms and Deluxe Family Rooms set aside as pet friendly, so ask for one of those when you book rather than assuming any room will do. Fees may apply on top of the room rate, and no weight or size limit is published, so confirm your dog's details with management at booking. A handy extra for guests travelling with dogs: the adjoining pub at The Vineyard Sydney has pet friendly outdoor dining, so dinner does not mean leaving the dog in the room.

The place

Guests describe comfortable, well appointed rooms, a large beer garden and pool tables, and short notice bookings are often available. None of that is dog specific, so treat the motel as a functional overnight base for the two of you rather than a stay built around a pet. If you would rather have a purpose-built pet friendly base nearby, Ingenia Holidays Avina is in the same suburb.

Getting there and parking

The motel fronts Windsor Road, the main artery through Vineyard, with free parking on site. Lead the dog up from the car and across the car park before you open the door, because the road out front carries steady traffic.

Close by with the dogs

For proper leg stretches, the fenced dog areas at Pool Park in South Windsor and Riverbrae in Riverstone are both a short drive away, and The Second Home Cafe in Windsor is a handy coffee stop with the dog in tow.

Max: ring ahead and get the pet room type and fee confirmed before you drive out, because the pet rooms are limited and the motel takes short notice bookings, so they will not always be free.

More dog friendly stays across NSW and other things to do around Vineyard are listed on PawScapes.