LONDON – Roch Dog, the independent certification body for dog-friendly hotels, is thrilled to announce the launch of the 2026 Roch Dog Friendly Hotel Awards, a new global initiative to seek out and celebrate the hotels setting the standard worldwide. The awards will recognize unparalleled service, exceptional amenities, true canine inclusivity, impactful community engagement, creative marketing, and canine culinary excellence at dog friendly hotels all over the world.
From city breaks to countryside escapes, the Roch Dog Friendly Hotel Awards shine a light on the most committed and creative hotels in canine hospitality. This year’s awards, their inaugural awards ceremony, features ten distinct categories, each designed to spotlight and recognise a different aspect of excellence in dog-friendly hospitality, inclusivity, and community.
International Hotel of the Year – Their most prestigious award, honoring one standout hotel that exemplifies world-class dog-friendly hospitality across the board. This hotel will set the global standard, balancing luxury, accessibility, and a passion for canine hospitality.
National Hotel of the Year – Celebrating the top hotel in each country that consistently delivers outstanding service for dogs and their owners. Winners demonstrate national leadership in policy, services, amenities, facilities, staff training, and access levels.
Best Urban Hotel – Recognising an outstanding city-based hotel that makes dog travel convenient, easy and enjoyable, even in the hustle and bustle of an urban environment.
Canine Concierge Award – Awarded to a hotel with the most thoughtful, tailored services for dogs, this award celebrates true attention to detail and outstanding dog-specific care.
Canine Comforts Award – This award honors a hotel that delivers exceptional amenities tailored specifically for dogs. From plush dog beds, high-quality bowls, and welcome treats to curated toy selections, doggy room service menus, and thoughtfully placed water stations, the kind of place where dogs are more than welcome,they’re completely catered to.
Canine Inclusivity Award – Honoring hotels that welcome all kinds of dogs, regardless of size, breed, or background. This hotel doesn’t just tolerate dogs; it celebrates them. With thoughtful, flexible policies and a spirit of radical hospitality, they make space for everyone.
Best Barketer Award – Honoring creativity and boldness in marketing your dog-friendly hotel, whether it’s standout storytelling, smart use of social media, or beautiful visual design, this award is for hotel marketers that know how to market to modern dog lovers.
Community Pawprint Award – Awarded to a hotel that extends their dog-friendliness beyond their walls into the community, whether it’s supporting local shelters, hosting adoption events, or working with local canine clubs, we look for meaningful community engagement.
Culinary Excellence Award – Recognising a hotel that goes above and beyond to feed its canine guests with chef designed dog food menus and homemade treats.
Best Countryside Hotel – Recognising an outstanding countryside hotel that combines natural surroundings with thoughtful resources, and amenities that encourage outdoor adventures.
How to Enter – Nominations for the 2026 Roch Dog Friendly Hotel Awards are officially open. Hotels from around the world are invited to put themselves forward by visiting the Roch Dog Friendly Hotel Awards landing page, and completing a short nomination form.
For more information about the Roch Dog Friendly Hotel Awards, please get in touch with their team by email using [email protected] to request further details.
About Roch Dog
Ranked By Roch Ltd. is a British startup based in London, founded by Guise Bule, and is the creator of the Roch Standard, the world’s first dog-friendly standard, certification and ranking system for hotels. For more information, please visit their websites Roch Dog and the RochSociety.
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