The Ascot Motel

The Ascot Motel at 55 Cam Street in Wahroonga is one of the few places on Sydney's upper north shore where a dog can stay overnight in a room rather than a car park. It is a straightforward suburban motel with tidy, comfortable rooms, and its pet policy is clear about one thing: dogs of any size are welcome, but only in the rooms set aside for them, and only if you ring ahead.

Dogs at the Ascot Motel

Pet-friendly rooms cannot be booked online through any portal, including the motel's own site. You call the motel directly on (02) 9487 3355, request a pet-eligible room, and confirm the pet fee at the same time, since the amount is not published. Cats may also be considered on request. Guests report clean, quiet dog-friendly quarters, which is about all you can ask from a suburban motel stop before a long drive south.

The setup

Reviews describe good showers, comfy beds and friendly staff, with adjoining rooms available for families. Some rooms read as dated and renovations have been noted, so pick your expectations to match the price. Wahroonga station and the shops are close by, and the F3 Pacific Motorway interchange is minutes away, which is why most guests are passing through.

Close by with the dogs

The Wahroonga Dog Park and Frances O'Brien Dog Park give the dog a proper run without leaving the suburb. For coffee, Cedarwood Cafe and Evolve Wahroonga are in the directory, and Fox and Hounds covers a pub meal. If you have a spare morning, the Lovers Jump Creek and Samuel King Loop is a short drive into Turramurra.

Max: No online booking for the pet rooms, none. Ring the motel, ask for a pet-eligible room, get the fee confirmed on the call.

More choices are on the NSW stays guide, and the local walk options sit on the Wahroonga destination page.