Hatta goes dog-friendly: puppy picnics and doggy kayaking

JA Hatta Fort Hotel and pet-loving community group Flopster launch picnics with puppies, with more dog-centric fun to come

The JA Hatta Fort Hotel is welcoming dogs for picnics on the grass. All images courtesy@meetpetlovers / @luna_the.boxer.dog

Flopster says the new partnership will give people heading to Hatta for a day trip with their dogs a place to stop for lunch. 

Dogs can enjoy views of the surrounding mountains, with plenty of grassy lawns.

The JA Hatta Fort Hotel Entrance. Courtesy JA Resorts & Hotels

The four-star hotel in Hatta allows dogs on its grounds, with a special Flopster menu on offer for pup parents.

Hatta is one of the places recommended in the 'World's Coolest Winter' campaign and is popular with those seeking to reconnect with nature. Courtesy Dubai Sports Council

Looking for somewhere new to go with your dog of a weekend? How about a trip to Hatta?

Things in the Dubai exclave are set to get a lot more dog-friendly as the JA Hatta Fort Hotel is now welcoming four-legged friends and their owners for outdoor picnics.

Set in 80 acres of grounds, the mountainside hotel has plenty of grassy lawns where visitors and their dogs can now enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and the Hatta Hollywood-esque sign.

Pet-loving community group Flopster has partnered with the hotel to create the space, alongside a special daily Flopster menu that pet parents can order from. The main menu at Cafe Gazebo is also available for visitors to order from.

Every Friday, guests can join a live BBQ with their dogs in tow and special discounts for Flopster members.

There's no weight-limit for doggies, so furry friends of all sizes can enjoy a visit to Hatta's oldest hotel.

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A complete guide to Hatta: what to do, where to stay and how to get there

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The news means that weekenders heading to Hatta with their dogs for trekking and nature-filled walks, can schedule a stop at the JA Hatta Fort Hotel before heading back to the big city.

"So many people go to Hatta hiking with their dogs and there was no option for lunch anywhere with dogs before, so this is ideal for all of those day trips out with the furbabies," Kelly Yeomans from Flopster told The National.

The hotel is not yet dog-friendly in other spaces so overnight stays with dogs are not currently available. However, Flopster is planning to host some more dog-centric experiences at the rustic getaway over the next few weeks.

Go Kayaking with your dog in Hatta

To celebrate the launch of the newest Flopster space, a Flopster Day out in Hatta will take place on March 5.

It is being run in partnership with Hatta Kayak, where dog-owners and their pups can head out on the water in a rented kayak and avail of a 15 per cent Flopster discount.

This will be followed by lunch at JA Hatta Fort Hotel, where guests can order from the Flopster menu. Pups can enjoy complimentary sugar-free treats from Toby’s Treats Dubai.

Pre-booking for the event is not essential, but those interested in going need to register via Flopster's Instagram.

If you're looking for a dog-friendly eatery that's a little closer to home, this bumper list of places to eat in Dubai has some good suggestions for lunch with your pooch.