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Travelling with a pet in India has long meant compromise: a boarding kennel, a reluctant neighbour, or a holiday postponed altogether. That is beginning to change. Set amid tropical gardens a short distance from Candolim Beach, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa has built pet inclusivity into the core of its guest experience, welcoming dogs and cats with a policy that is still uncommon among Indian hotels: no restrictions on breed, size, or weight, and up to two pets allowed per room.
The shift reflects a broader change in how Indian travellers holiday. Families are no longer leaving a member behind simply because that member has four legs and a tail. At Novotel Goa, that philosophy runs through everything from the pillow a pet sleeps on to the meal it’s served, pointing to what the cluster general manager Amit Sangwam’s team describes as travel that feels as seamless as possible from home to holiday.
A Room Built For Every Family Member
The resort’s approach to pet hospitality begins the moment guests check in. Rooms come thoughtfully set up with plush pet beds, food and water bowls, and a few toys, so pets settle in without their owners having to pack for two. Pets are welcome on the furniture and the beds alongside their owners, guided by one simple house rule: supervision, so every guest—human or animal—stays comfortable.
That inclusivity does come with a modest cost of upkeep. A nominal pet accommodation fee applies to every stay, alongside a refundable security deposit collected at check-in to cover any deep cleaning or incidental damage. It’s a practical trade-off that lets the resort maintain its high standards of cleanliness without turning away pet owners at the door. One current limitation: litter trays for cats aren’t provided in-house, but the hotel can help pet parents arrange the same on prior notice.
Bone Broth, Bowls, And A Menu Of Their Own
Where many pet-friendly hotels stop at tolerance, Novotel Goa goes further with a dedicated pet menu. Freshly prepared dishes include bone broth, vegetable stews, healthy shakes and homemade peanut butter cookies, and the culinary team will customise meals around allergies or specific dietary needs. Guests who forget to pack their pet’s food aren’t left scrambling either. The kitchen can source and arrange it on request, for an additional charge, and pets can dine in the comfort of the room through in-room dining.
Outdoors, the resort’s landscaped gardens, open walkways, lobby, and alfresco dining areas double as a pet’s playground, ideal for the unhurried mornings and evening strolls that define a Goa holiday. Pets are kept out of the swimming pool, banquet venues and indoor restaurants for the comfort of all guests, and while there’s no dedicated pet park just yet, the resort has hosted community events, including a partnership with Pet Fed Goa: Express Edition, that bring together the region’s growing tribe of pet parents.
The Safety Net: Vets, Transfers, And Emergency Care
Behind the poolside comforts is a support system designed to reassure first-time pet travellers. The resort doesn’t run an in-house veterinary service, but the concierge team connects guests to trusted local providers, including Max Petz Veterinary Clinic in Sangolda and Fairy Tails Veterinary Hospital in Campal, both a convenient drive away. Pet-friendly airport, railway, and local transfers can also be arranged on request, subject to standard transportation charges and local regulations, along with recommendations for pet-friendly taxis for sightseeing or vet visits.
Safety extends to the resort’s emergency planning, too: pets are included in the property’s standard evacuation procedures alongside their owners, and in case of illness or injury, the team steps in to connect guests with the nearest veterinary facility. Pets aren’t left unattended in rooms as a matter of policy—a nod to animal wellbeing as much as guest peace of mind—with the team on hand to recommend supervised local pet-sitting options if needed.
Novotel Goa Resort & Spa is a model that treats pet inclusivity not as an add-on but as infrastructure—one that other Indian resorts, as pet-friendly travel gathers pace nationally, may find themselves racing to match.
