Rome Airport Opens Luxury Dog Hotel With Spa-Style Pampering For Pets

Dog owners often face a dilemma before travelling: leave a beloved pet with a sitter or at a kennel. Both options involve planning and logistics, which can be stressful and time-consuming. Rome's Fiumicino International Airport has now introduced a solution with Dog Relais, one of the first on-site pet hotels at a major European airport. Following a similar facility at Frankfurt Airport, the hotel even collects dogs directly from the terminal, allowing owners to continue to their flights without delay.

"This project is fitting into a strategy to provide a very immersive experience to passengers," said Marilena Blasi, chief commercial officer at Aeroporti di Roma, which manages the Italian capital's two airports. "In this case, we provide services to dogs and the owners of the dogs," she added, according to the Associated Press.

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Facilities And Services:

Basic rooms at Dog Relais cost around 40 euro (approx. Rs. 4100) per night and feature temperature-controlled floors and private gardens. Shy or solitary dogs can be accommodated in separate kennels, where they receive more attention from staff and have limited interaction with other pets. At night, ambient music tuned to 432 hertz is played in the rooms, designed to promote relaxation.

The hotel also offers a range of spa-style extras, from grooming and bathing to aromatherapy with lavender or peppermint to calm anxiety. Massages with arnica cream are available to relieve sore muscles and joints.

For owners who want constant contact with their pets, premium rooms priced at 60 euro (approx. Rs. 6200) are equipped with screens for round-the-clock video calls. An app-connected dispenser allows treats to be thrown to dogs remotely, providing a playful and interactive experience.

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Pet Owners Share Their Experiences:

Alessandra Morelli, who works in human resources at Aeroporti di Roma, frequently leaves her two-year-old chocolate-coloured Labrador, Nina, at the facility. "Since I've been able to bring Nina to this dog hotel, my life, and the balance between my personal and professional life have changed because it allows me to enjoy my working day and my personal travels in total peace and tranquillity," she said.

Another pet parent, Dario Chiassarini, uses the hotel for training his Rottweiler puppy, Athena. He praised the facility for being clean, well-organised and convenient. "We will rely on them without hesitation and without doubt - both because we got to know the people who work here, which for us is essential, and because of the love they have for animals and the peace of mind of knowing who we are entrusting Athena to," he said. "It is certainly a service that, if we should need it, we will make use of."

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Location And Popularity:

Dog Relais is located within the Fiumicino Airport grounds, offering easy access for travellers. Staff can collect pets from the terminal upon request. Since opening in May, the 40-room hotel has been nearly fully booked, particularly during Italy's busy summer travel season.

Italy's New Rules On Travelling With Dogs:

The opening of Dog Relais coincided with a change in Italy's aviation regulations, allowing large dogs to travel inside plane cabins on domestic flights, provided they are secured in crates. The first such flight is scheduled for 23 September, according to Italy's Transport Minister, Matteo Salvini.

"We always have to use judgment, but...for me it is a source of pride, as well as a step forward from the point of view of civilization," Salvini said at a pet conference on 16 September, according to the Associated Press.

Also Read: Hyderabad Airport Introduces Therapy Dogs To Help Travellers Deal With Anxiety

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A Growing Global Trend:

Rome's Dog Relais reflects a growing global trend of airports catering to pets and their owners. Frankfurt Airport already operates a similar service, while other international airports are adding pet-friendly amenities, including relief areas and luxury kennels. With this new addition, Fiumicino positions itself among the leading European airports for pet travel services.

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The Bottom Line:

From spa treatments and aromatherapy to video-call check-ins, Rome's airport dog hotel combines comfort, care and convenience for pets and their owners.