If you’re planning to visit South Africa’s glorious Mother City to soak up some sun and spectacular scenery, you don’t need to leave your dogs behind. The stunning @Frits Hotel will take care of them for you, while you’re on the beach, or travelling inland to explore.
The @Frits Hotel is Africa’s first five-star dog accommodation, opened by pet lover Yanic Klue in December, 2015 to pander to South Africa’s pampered pooches. Of course, as the exchange rate is so good in South Africa, it won’t set you back much to keep your canine in the lap of luxe – room rates are around $17 (that’s R250) per night in the hotel, which is located in the city’s colorful Bokaap district on the fringes of the city center.
The dog hotel offers a number of suites with suitable names, such as ‘Jurassic Bark’, which boasts wallpaper full of palm trees, ‘Pupeye the Sailor Suite’, ‘Hollywoof’ and the ‘Dogald Trump Suite’ and there are all sorts of facilities available, including dawn walks or evening climbs up the slopes of the spectacular Table Mountain. Those canines who prefer a more leisurely lifestyle can watch Animal Planet on screens mounted in the hotel lobby or in the privacy of one of the hotel’s seven suites.
The hotel can accommodate up to 100 dogs at a time, but as it’s peak summer in the Cape right now, much of the hotel is full. However, schools start off 2016 by the latest the end of January, so if you’re planning to take your dog on vacation, that’s the best time to book. In addition, Cape Town is spectacular at that time of the year, making it an ideal time for a vacation.
Of course, the hotel boasts its own canine, an Irish Terrier aptly named Frits. Its owner, Yanic Klue is well versed in running a hotel – she also owns a human hotel called Dutch Manor, a beautifully restored 19th Century heritage building in the city center, which is often used for films and adverts because of its authenticity.
@Frits’ rooms and suites are decorated with dog-size beds complete with duvets and sofas. Overnight guests can be monitored by their owners via webcam and a smartphone app. After some outdoor activity, they can make use of the hotel spa for a wash, pedicure or trim, and then there are all sorts of activities indoors to keep them amused, from games to TV. The hotel also caters for an hourly ‘doggy daycare’ service, and fussy owners even pack their pooches specially cooked or canned meals!
Of course, dog daycare and hotels for hounds are popular in the US and Europe, but it’s the first hotel of its kind in Africa, and the first chance that overseas visitors will have to bring their pets with them while they’re on vacation. Although there are many comfortable kennels and pet spas in South Africa, this hotel is the first of its kind. And if it’s as popular as we think it will be, we’re sure there will be plenty more popping up in the future.