Luxury dog hotel opens at Rome airport
Fiumicino (Italy), Sep 21: Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport has opened Dog Relais, a luxury dog hotel designed to make travel easier for pet owners.
As one of the first on-site pet hotels at a major European airport, Dog Relais allows travelers to hand over their pets directly at the terminal before catching their flights.
Staff then escort the dogs to the facility, where they receive premium care and comfort.
Basic rooms cost €40 ($47) and include temperature-controlled floors, private gardens, and ambient music at a calming 432 Hz frequency.
For more reserved dogs, quieter kennels are available.
Premium rooms (€60) offer 24/7 videocall access and even treat dispensers operated via an app.
Additional services include grooming, bathing, dental care, aromatherapy with lavender or peppermint, and massages using arnica cream for sore joints.
The hotel also serves local dog owners needing daycare or training.
Travelers and airport staff have praised the convenience and quality of care.
HR worker Alessandra Morelli said the service has improved her work-life balance, while Dario Chiassarini plans to use the facility whenever he travels.
Since opening in May, Dog Relais has been in high demand, with full occupancy in August and 66% average usage overall.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy by Aeroporti di Roma to enhance the passenger experience.
Coinciding with the hotel’s launch, Italy’s aviation authority introduced new regulations allowing large dogs to travel inside plane cabins on domestic flights if crated.
The first such flight is scheduled for September 23. While not universally welcomed, Transport Minister Matteo Salvini called it a “step forward in civilisation.”
Experts say these changes reflect growing societal recognition of pets as family members.
Dog Relais combines convenience, compassion, and comfort, giving pet owners peace of mind whether they’re traveling or working.
It’s a significant step in pet-friendly infrastructure at major travel hubs, with potential to influence other airports around the world. (AP)
