Travelling with pets in India is a challenge. There are limited options for transport and accommodation. Planning a getaway often means leaving your furry friend behind or struggling to find pet-friendly facilities. TATA IHCL Seleqtion is a new experience in pet-friendly accommodation.
Pet Travel
In local travel, most cabs on hire refuse to allow pets. Drivers of Ola and Uber scoot and refuse the ride the moment they see a pet. I don’t know why they cannot add a pet button in their app so drivers who are comfortable with pets pick the service. The cars you hire do not want your pet friends. The pet transport services available in limited cities are too costly. While three-wheeler autos in Mumbai tend to be more accommodating, they’re okay for short rides and are restricted to the suburbs.
The only viable option for outstation travel is the First AC on trains, which is restrictive and often unavailable. And then you have to have the whole cabin or the coupe, or you could be denied travel at the last minute of any passenger objects. I have first-hand experience with it, and here is how to travel with Pet on the train. And there are simple steps to make it even better.
Pet-Friendly Accommodation.
When it comes to finding a hotel that welcomes pets, it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack. The situation is improving with time, and there is a definite business field there for pet-friendly accommodation.
The TATA IHCL SELEQTIONS Hotels have changed the canvas. This pet-friendly chain across the country has opened doors to a new travel experience, and my recent stay at their Mumbai property, The President, was nothing short of exceptional.
Welcoming the Furry Pet Friends
From the moment we checked in, the hospitality extended to the family and my pet, Milo Kotnala, a 7-year-old Beagle, was heart-warming. We got the room on the top floor with the brilliant view of the bay and port because of Milo—as there were two other rooms where pets had checked-in and maybe pet-friendly rooms are on the upper floors.
Our room had a special ‘PAW SPOTTED HERE’ tag on the door, letting the service staff know a pet was inside. A small but thoughtful detail set the tone for the experience ahead. Inside the room, my pet was greeted with his own set of amenities—a pet bowl, pee pads, a complimentary meal pack, a poo bag, and even a cosy pet bed. The little touches announce loudly that pets here aren’t just tolerated but genuinely welcomed.
Pet-Friendly Spaces and Dining
What stood out further was the allowance for pets in designated lobby areas, where we could enjoy breakfast and meals together. It was a relief not to have to worry about leaving my pet behind while dining, a common challenge at other hotels. Watching other pet owners with their furry companions share this unique experience was heartening. It’s rare to find such spaces in India, but TATA IHCL SELEQTIONS sets a brilliant example of what pet-friendly hospitality should look like.
Taj President has Herb-House, a poolside pet-friendly bistro that offers a curated menu for pets, pet brunches, and hi-tea. It also has pet minders, a special pet menu, and more – though in our short stay, we could not experience them all.
The Pet-friendly Room Experience
The superior room, though small—a characteristic of Mumbai’s space constraints—was perfect for a couple and a small pet (under 20 kg). The layout was functional, the bedding was plush, and the ambience was comfortable for humans and pets alike. For larger pets or more spacious settings, there were other rooms that one could check in. However, other TATA IHCL SELEQTIONS properties across the country promise even bigger and more open spaces. But given that we were in the heart of Mumbai, this size at President IHCL Seleqtion was more than satisfactory.
Expanding Options for Pet Owners
IHCL SELEQTIONS has paved the way for stress-free travel with pets, a much-needed respite for pet lovers across India. Their network of pet-friendly properties is growing, and with it, the hope is that travelling with your pets will no longer be an obstacle ( at least for accommodation) but a joy. If you’re a pet owner looking to explore without leaving your furry friend behind, TATA IHCL SELEQTIONS hotels are a fantastic option.
NETNET– Pet-Friendly Accommodation Universe is expanding.
In a country where pet-friendly accommodations are few and far between, IHCL SELEQTIONS is a breath of fresh air—a chain that accommodates and celebrates the bond between pet and owner. It covers many cities like Agra, Ajmer, Chikmagalur, Coonoor, Goa, Jaipur, Mumbai, New Delhi, Ooty, Pune and Varkala, and the list will only increase. These are for ‘Pawfect Pawcation’. There is an additional charge for the pet- but that is worth it.
ITC Hotels (the ‘Petcaytions’ initiative) and Marriott International also have a few pet-friendly hotels. All Vivanta hotels and the bungalows under the homestay brand Ama Stays & Trails are pet-friendly. These cater to a small high-end demand- but a bigger opportunity lies in the mid-range pet-friendly hotels.
ADDON– Something the Pet-Friendly properties could insist on.
One thing that created dissonance was that the hotel did ask me to sign a liability statement covering any possible damage to property or otherwise- but did not insist on seeing the Pet License, Vaccination, Fit-to-travel Vet letter and Insurance papers. I know this would add to the pet parents’ workload- and the paper I signed most likely covered these areas. I know such small things can help in proper pet care and hotel property peace of mind. They may even ask it to be uploaded digitally or shown at a different time- but it should not be taken for granted.
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