Those looking to pamper their pets can check them into the Royal Suite at Dubai’s Urban Tails Pet Resort – a pets paradise catering to their every need.
For Dh195 a night (Dh215 in peak season), this 3 x 2-metre suite has a sheepskin rug and an assortment of dogsigner toys available on request; Chewy Vuitton, Sniffany and Guchewi handbags and Coco Chewnel perfume. The suite lives up to its name, as an Emirati sheikh’s dog has stayed there and various sheikhas’ cats also check into the resort’s kitty condos (Dh100, Dh85 off peak).
The exclusive resort for cats and dogs was set up four years ago by the Irishwoman Aideen O’Mara, 37, to cater for pets who are used to sitting in the lap of luxury.
“I wanted to focus on the higher end of the market and the homely style”, says Ms O’Mara. “I found the only other places in the world offering similar facilities are in America and Canada. Even in the UK, luxury kennels are more farm-style and outdoorsy.”
Ms O’Mara’s resort in Jebel Ali also has a shaded garden – and, as in all esteemed Dubai resorts, a swimming pool. There are also three indoor air-conditioned pooch playgrounds surrounded by plants and a cloud-painted ceiling. And a treadmill is brought out for those keen for their mutts to shed some pounds.
After playtime, the pampered pooches return to their private rooms to lounge on a purple chaise longue and watch canine classics such as 101 Dalmatians and Snow Dogs twice a day on their plasma TVs.
For owners pining after their pets, 24-hour webcams in the Royal and Deluxe suites and all communal areas mean they can watch them any time on their phones for Dh20 a day.
“Some people will spend their entire holiday checking up on their pets”, says Ms O’Mara.
An Dh80 doggy day care service from 8am to 6pm is provided for those who work, or just want their dog to socialise more.
Drop-off and pick-up is offered in a “pet limo”. And a dog staying four nights or more is treated to a wash and blow-dry before he returns home – if you can persuade Rover to leave.
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