Looking for a London hotel that blends five-star style, an artsy soul, and genuine dog-friendly credentials? One that delivers not just creature comforts, but also caters to your actual creature? Let us introduce you to Bankside Hotel—a standout stay on the Southbank where design, culture, and four-legged hospitality come together in perfect harmony. Could this be one of the best dog-friendly hotels in London?
Hannah Tan and our intrepid doggy reporter, TeamCocopup Charlie, visited the Bankside Hotel for a summer staycation like no other. What we discovered? One of the best dog-friendly hotels in London—and a true contender among the best Southbank hotels for anyone who wants to travel with their pup in elevated style.
Best dog-friendly hotels in London: Canine Concierge & Local Dog Adventures
Bankside Hotel doesn’t just accept dogs—it celebrates them. For a £75 supplement per stay, you’re given access to a full dog-friendly experience: plush dog beds, bowls, tasty treats, and a sleek little poop-bag holder ready to go. But the real highlight is the Canine Concierge, which provides tailored walking routes and tips for nearby off-lead parks like Swan Street and Imperial Dog Park. Whether you’re after riverside strolls, city sniffing tours, or stylish pet-friendly cafés, they’ve got you covered.
Up to two dogs are welcome per room at no extra charge, making this one of the best dog-friendly hotels in London for multi-pup households.
Best dog-friendly hotels in London: Design-Led Lobby & Amenities
The hotel itself is a masterclass in creative design. The moment you enter the lobby, it feels like stepping into a modern gallery—complete with mid-century seating, bold artwork, and rotating exhibits by the hotel’s resident artists. Upstairs on the mezzanine, you’ll find serene workspaces and a vending wall stocked with everything from essential toiletries to CBD oil and gourmet snacks. It’s the kind of thoughtful amenity mix that effortlessly secures Bankside’s status among the best Southbank hotels.
Best dog-friendly hotels in London: Luxury suites for you & your Pup
The rooms are a haven of quiet luxury—curated with an eye for comfort and practicality. Expect oversized bolsters on the bed, large fluffy towels, a generous workspace with charging points, art supplies to get your creativity flowing, and blackout curtains for the ultimate lie-in.
Your dog doesn’t miss out either: they’ll have their own comfy bed, stylish food and water bowls, and even a sleek little holder for poop bags (yes, even those are chic here). There’s subtle luxury in every detail, from Nespresso machines to high-thread-count linens—and all wrapped up in a space that feels more like a designer apartment than a hotel room. It’s this level of care that makes Bankside one of the best dog-friendly hotels in London without question.
Best dog-friendly hotels in London: Art Yard Bar & Kitchen
Art Yard Bar & Kitchen is more than just a hotel restaurant—it’s a full-on flavour experience where art, food, and canine companionship collide. Dogs are welcome at all times, so we settled in for a long and delicious evening. The small plates are a triumph: creamy burrata with heritage tomatoes and wild garlic orzo; delicate scallops with cauliflower purée and house-made X.O. sauce; and zingy tuna tartare with blood orange and crème fraîche on a sesame cracker.
Vegan diners will be delighted by the spring pea and mint risotto with English asparagus and stracciatella, followed by a silken vegan panna cotta that more than held its own. And for the carnivores? The steak was cooked to perfection and served with a rich red wine jus that had us scraping the plate.
Cocktails were just as impressive, especially the Bees Knees, made with honey harvested from Bankside’s own rooftop beehives. A sweet, locally sourced flourish that sums up the hotel’s thoughtful, sustainable ethos.
Best dog-friendly hotels in London: Gym & Wellness
While pups aren’t permitted in the gym, you’ll still appreciate the well-equipped 24-hour fitness space. It includes Peloton bikes, treadmills, free weights, and cross-training gear—ideal for a quick burn before heading off to nearby parks for a game of fetch. With in-room water and ice stations, rooftop spaces and efficient room service, the wellness experience here is slick and satisfying.
Best dog-friendly hotels in London: Art in Residence
Art runs through the DNA of Bankside, and the Art Yard Makers Studio brings it to life with an ever-changing lineup of working artists. From March to May 2025, painter and sculptor Sarah Emily Porter was in residence, creating dynamic pieces through an innovative pour-and-tilt technique. Her open-door studio welcomed guests for workshops, collaborations, and behind-the-scenes insights as part of London Craft Week. It’s this kind of immersive creativity that elevates Bankside beyond the typical hotel experience.
Best dog-friendly hotels in London: Exploring the Local Area
Located on Blackfriars Road, Bankside is within walking distance of the Tate Modern, Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the Southbank Centre. Add in the dog-friendly Leake Street graffiti tunnel and riverside promenades, and it’s easy to see why this is one of the best Southbank hotels for travellers with tails in tow.
Whether you’re soaking up street art, stopping for lunch in Borough, or exploring London’s cultural core with your dog by your side, Bankside’s location is unbeatable.
Best dog-friendly hotels in London: Final Verdict
Bankside Hotel blends bold design, thoughtful amenities, and genuine dog-friendly hospitality in a way few city hotels can match. From in-room luxuries to the creativity of its art studio and the warmth of its welcome—this hotel nails the staycation formula.
It’s not just one of the best dog-friendly hotels in London—it’s one of the best Southbank hotels, period.
Pack a stylish weekend bag (don’t forget the chew toys) and get ready for a stay where your dog is not only allowed, but adored.
Bankside Hotel: One of the Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in London for Design Lovers
Bankside Hotel sits on Blackfriars Road within walking distance of Tate Modern, Borough Market, and the Southbank Centre, making its location as strong as its interiors. The lobby feels like stepping into a working gallery, complete with rotating resident artists and mid-century furnishings. Rooms are quietly luxurious, with oversized bolsters, blackout curtains, and art supplies tucked in for guests who want to create. For dog owners, the dedicated Canine Concierge service adds a layer of thoughtfulness that instantly places this among the best dog-friendly hotels in London.
Where Art, Food, and Four-Legged Hospitality Come Together
Art Yard Bar and Kitchen completes the picture, welcoming dogs at all times while delivering small plates that punch well above a typical hotel restaurant. Highlights include scallops with cauliflower puree and the signature Bees Knees cocktail made from honey harvested on site. Combined with bold design, genuine dog-friendly hospitality, and a location that puts the best of the Southbank on your doorstep, Bankside earns its place not just as one of the best dog-friendly hotels in London, but as one of the best Southbank hotels overall.
Bankside Hotel has rooms available from £329 per night. For more information and to book https://www.banksidehotel.com/.
Click here for more dog-friendly hotels in London. Discover more of TeamCocopup’s adventures here.
