The ‘Soho House for dogs’ where stars’ pets get pedicures, massages... and nose-shining balm
IT OFFERS blueberry facials, reiki massage treatments, personal training sessions and luxurious penthouse rooms – just like a spa hotel for pampered celebrities.
But Urban Mutts, described as ‘a game-changing members’ club-meets-modern fitness, day care and wellbeing space’, is designed solely for dogs.
With a client list including the Beckhams, film director Guy Ritchie, model David Gandy and Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse, the hotel has been dubbed ‘Soho House for dogs’, after the favoured haunt of the famous.
The upmarket canine club in London’s Westfield shopping centre is the first of its kind in the UK. With rates at about £70 a night, it costs more than some hotels for humans. Penthouses – complete with moodlit rooms and a night porter on call – come at a premium.
And if the pooches prefer not to stay in their rooms, the hotel offers a social area where they can mingle with other guests. Staff also offer a range of massages, including reiki – a Japanese healing therapy – pedicures, fitness boot camps, blowdries costing up to £ 100 and a special balm treatment to ensure each guest’s nose shines as it should. The pampered guests can even indulge in retail therapy in a small boutique offering the latest doggy designs and a shop selling posh toiletries for a touch of added luxury.
It is perhaps no surprise that Mr Ritchie’s cocker spaniel, Coco, is already a regular, as is Ms Mabuse’s cockapoo Leo.
The Beckhams’ three dogs – Olive, Fig and Sage – are understood to have enjoyed spells there, along with Mr Gandy’s pet pooch Dora.
Urban Mutts, which opened last November but had to close temporarily due to Covid restrictions, was founded by celebrity dog walker and former restaurateur Barry Karacostas and his business partner Gregory Hands.
Mr Karacostas, who has exercised some of his clients’ dogs for years, said: ‘It’s like Soho House for dogs – we want them to come here and enjoy themselves and leave looking great.
‘But it isn’t just all about Hollywood for them. We look after them properly and train them too. We take them out for runs in the park and put them on specific programmes if their owners want them.’