Our trip to Brighton

My birthday was just before Christmas, I wanted to do something special with my family but of course including the pooches. I’d always fancied going to Brighton as you get a mix of beaches and the city. As well as it being quite ‘instagrammable’ as I often find myself stumbling across peoples gorgeous instagram’s full of gorgeous Brighton photos.

When staying away I prefer to have somewhere that is ours for our break – I feel not quite as relaxed in Hotels and B&B’s because you know its not just you staying there and of course there’s the regular trips down the corridors to let the dogs out to the loo.

After scrolling all the dog friendly cottages and apartments within walking distance to Brighton I had no such luck. They were either fully booked or not nice enough for my birthday getaway. I knew Steph (http://www.stephaniedreams.com) often used Pets Pyjamas for her dog friendly getaways with her two spaniels so I had a look. They only had one B&B called The Oriental that was in walking distance of Brighton so I thought it would be that or nothing! Although there weren’t many photos of The Oriental online (there are lots more now) I read lots of reviews and it sounded lovely.

If you book through Pets Pyjamas you get a Pet Travel kit which is delivered to your hotel for when you arrive. Being a strange crazy dog lady this was one of the things I looked forward to most (Someone must feel the same as me!). We booked two nights from Friday to Sunday, providing the dogs’ names and two photos which were later printed and put onto the pet travel kit box (I love little personalised touches like that!).

The staff were all so friendly and fussed the dogs (After an early morning beach trip before breakfast the dogs were treated to half a sausage each which they gladly accepted), the manager even had a dog bed and bowl set up in reception for her own dog but sadly we didn’t see him whilst we were staying. On our room key there was an electronic device meaning we could leave and enter the hotel at any time – essential when Wilma wakes up at 5am for a wee! There wasn’t much of a grass verge nearby for loo trips, so there were some very late and early morning beach trips which Woody was more than thrilled about!

The beach was at the end of the road, no more than a 5 minute walk. From our hotel the steps to the beach were next to the new attraction of the British Airways i360. Unfortunately no dogs allowed but I had a quick trip up without them. Going in December meant that all the beaches were open to dogs all day long (something I wish would happen everywhere all year round). Wilma had never experienced a pebble
beach before, finding it  challenge to dig holes whilst running away from flying pebbles the waves throw at her.

Before visiting I found a dog friendly Tea salon called Metrodeco for a spot of afternoon tea. After browsing the little shops in the lanes
we set off. It was quite a long walk if starting at our hotel but you’ve got to tell yourself you’re working off all the calories you’re about to consume. I’m glad I had booked beforehand because the little salon was totally full! The dogs were welcomed by all the staff here too! Wilma was absolutely exhausted so barely got through the door before falling asleep. Although she was quick to wake up when a dish of dog treats was brought to the table, greatly appreciated by two hungry spaniels. Us humans had a delicious afternoon tea and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. On the way out one of the waitresses took a quick photo of the dogs to post on Metrodeco’s instagram (It made me feel like the dogs were famous!). We walked back along the seafront with the most gorgeous sunset I’ve ever seen.

The hotel provided us humans with a range of breakfast for us to order in the mornings. I think that the dogs would have been allowed down with us at breakfast because it was next to reception where the managers dog’s bed was. However they had a run on the beach both mornings so were happy to go back upstairs and chill for a bit.

The next day before we went home we walked towards Hove instead of Brighton. Walking along the promenade on the way because I wanted them looking cute and fluffy for beach hut photos rather than the soggy mess they seem to be 90% of the time. We got so many people coming up to us whilst I was getting the dogs to pose. I even had someone ask for their bichon frise (dressed as father christmas!) to join in sitting next to my two! These are my favourite photos from the weekend because they’re so colourful and I want my own beach hut so badly.

If you’ve been to Brighton or live nearby let us know your favourite dog friendly places. I loved it so will definitely be back to visit again! Thanks for reading,

Megan, Woody and Wilma xx