Rome’s Airport Now Has a Luxury Dog Hotel for Pups to Stay and Get Pampered

For people with dogs, leaving their pets behind can be the hardest part of traveling. Whether you opt for a pricey boarder, a put-out family member, or pet-sitter who barely knows your pup, it can sometimes seem like there are no good options — and definitely no convenient ones. But in Italy, leaving a pet in good hands just got easier than ever. Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport has opened an on-site luxury dog hotel called Dog Relais — and it offers some serious pampering for pups.

Dog Relais is located right within Rome’s international airport (also known as the “Leonardo da Vinci” airport). In fact, hotel employees pick up pups straight from the terminal, so pet parents can head directly to their flight.

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Rooms are spacious and sleek with temperature-controlled floors, and each one includes a private garden. For social pups, there’s tons of supervised common space to meet, mingle, and play with other guests. At night, a sound system plays ambient music at 432 hz, a frequency that’s designed to ease stress and promote sleep. There are a variety of swanky add-on services, too, including aromatherapy and arnica treatments.

Prices start at just 40€ for single dogs. If your pup has a sibling, up to four pups can stay in one room for only 50€. All packages include food, daily cleanings, and medication administration if needed.

If your pup likes to live in extra comfort, a 60€ “premium” suite includes a leather pillow, aromatherapy, and a spa day. Premium rooms are also equipped with a TV screen connected to a video call system, which pet parents can use to check in on — and chat with — their pets at any hour of the day. As if that weren’t enough proof that we’re living in the future, they can also toss their pets a treat using an application connected to an in-room dispenser.

Dog Relais isn’t just for overnight boarding, either; it’s also a doggie daycare that offers supervised, interactive play time. One employee of the airport, Alessandra Morelli, told AP News that she regularly leaves her Labrador Retriever at the facility during her work day. “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 tranquility,” she said.

So far, the concept’s a hit. All 40 rooms were occupied in August during Italy’s peak travel season. Evidently, Italians love their dogs as much as they love globetrotting — in May, Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport announced that large dogs can fly in aircraft cabins, side-by-side with their pet parents, making it easier than ever for travelers to bring their pets along.

Clearly, there’s a demand for better travel options for pets — and a low-effort, high-quality spot like Dog Relais is just what the doctor ordered. The only drawback? Your pup might be so spoiled from their vacation that they don’t even wanna go home. You might want to start practicing your arnica massage technique, just in case.