Paws at the Door: The Wuhan Hotel Letting Guests Rent Dogs for the Night
- Jomanda Heng
- Aug 17
- 2 min read

Forget the welcome chocolates—at Biguiyuan Phoenix Hotel in Wuhan, China, your room companion might just greet you with a wagging tail and puppy-dog eyes. For travelers craving companionship, the hotel offers a “pet sleep-accompanying” service, allowing guests to rent a dog for the night.
At 499 yuan (around USD $70) per night, visitors can choose from ten friendly breeds, including Golden Retrievers, Huskies, and West Highland White Terriers. Each pup is either raised by the hotel or sourced from professional pet training institutions, ensuring they are fully vaccinated, healthy, and ready to cuddle.
How It Works
Once checked in, guests are introduced to their four-legged roommate. The dog stays with them overnight, offering snuggles, playtime, and the kind of loyal companionship that makes hotel rooms feel a little less lonely. According to the hotel, since launching in July, the service has seen over 80 sign-ups with zero complaints—a testament to how much visitors adore the idea.
The hotel even jokes that the dogs “earn” about 100 yuan a day—although, unlike bellhops, these workers are paid in belly rubs and treats.
More Than Just a Gimmick
While it might seem like a quirky novelty, pet sleepover services are part of a growing travel trend in China. Other hotels have started similar initiatives, sometimes partnering with animal rescue groups, with rental fees helping to fund shelter operations. It’s an innovative way to give guests a memorable experience while supporting animal welfare.
Legal experts note that the hotel is responsible if a dog injures a guest, unless the injury occurs due to the guest’s gross negligence—a detail that reassures travelers who might be new to canine company.
Why Travelers Love It
Emotional Comfort: Perfect for solo travelers or those missing pets back home.
Novelty Factor: It’s not every day you can say your hotel offered a Husky as a roommate.
Cultural Connection: Highlights China’s evolving pet culture and the country’s creative hospitality offerings.
As the line between hospitality and unique experiences blurs, services like these could set a precedent for future travel trends. Could cat companions, miniature pony visits, or even alpaca picnics be next? For now, the Biguiyuan Phoenix Hotel proves that sometimes the best room service comes with paws and a wag.
References:
South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3320926/china-hotel-offers-guests-dog-companions-us70-night-canine-bite-compensation
Hotel Report: https://hotel.report/novosti/hotel-in-china-lets-you-rent-a-dog-to-sleep-with-you-for-rm300-a-night
China Skinny: https://chinaskinny.com/blog/china-pet-sleepover-hotels
The Uncommon Breed
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