Looking for more pet-friendly hotel stays around Ireland? This one should definitely be on your radar.
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to choose more wholesome activities – creative classes, new experiences, and exploring more outside of Dublin (with my dog in tow, of course!). So, when The Rabbit Hotel in Antrim offered the chance for me, my husband and my doggo to stay, it felt as if the stars had aligned.
Just two hours from Dublin, we arrived at the hotel to a warm reception. The decor has a cool, quirky vibe – with moody hues, timber touches and funky animal portraits – a welcome respite from the cookie-cutter corporate hotels we’re used to.
The room
For pet-friendly stays, they offer three room types: Comfy (a basic room), Comfy with outdoor tub (a room with a private courtyard and outside tub), and their Lake House (a private house where you can book up to ten guests, ideal for a girls’ getaway or hen party).
We went with the second option, and we weren’t disappointed! We arrived early on a Saturday morning to a friendly greeting from the hotel’s resident dog Florence, who very kindly put my nervous pup at ease. We were swiftly checked in and pleasantly surprised at the size of the room.
Alongside the super king bed, each room has a retro mini fridge, a Marshall amp – great for playing tunes while you get ready, and fluffy robes and slippers to wear for your trip to the spacious on-site spa. Our room also had a private courtyard, a wood-burning stove and a covered outdoor bath, the perfect combination for a rainy day stay.
Dog-friendly pub
Situated right by the lake, I brought the pup out for a walk along the grounds; he’s a Jack Russel-Dachshund mix who loves exploring. While on the smaller side, there were green spaces for him to do his business, before visiting the hotel’s onsite pub, Hunter’s Bar. Nestled in a comfy chair by the fire, we had a coffee and a bite to eat while the dog happily munched on treats provided by the bar.
One of my favourite things about The Rabbit is that, unlike other pet-friendly hotels, you are allowed to leave your dog alone in your room. Which means, when it was time for his daytime snooze, I could leave him snuggled in his bed, while I took a restorative trip to the spa.
A moment for the spa
A sprawling open-air spa greeted us as we shuffled in wearing our slippers and robes. To say it’s impressive is an understatement – it feels like a sophisticated Ibiza (dropped in the middle of Antrim!). Centre stage is a giant heated pool akin to a Roman bath, underneath glittering disco balls. There’s also a pebble beach overlooking the lake, two hot tubs, a Swedish sauna, a salt room and a steam room.
After a visit to the on-site beach bar for a refreshing cocktail (I recommend the Jessica Rabbit!), we made our rounds to each spot (yes, you can drink in the pool!). My favourite haunts of the day were the relaxing hot tub and the Himalayan salt room. Afterwards, we checked in for our mud treatment, which left my skin fresh and glowing afterwards.
Finally, it was back to the doggo, for a game of fetch in the courtyard before venturing to the Rabbit restaurant for dinner. (There’s also a nearby park if you have a more active pup that needs to get his zoomies out!).
Rabbit restaurant & bar
The service in the restaurant was top-notch, food came swiftly and was absolutely delicious. I ordered the burrata and the sausage fennel ragu, a fiery, wholesome meal that I would honestly go back for alone!
Then we grabbed the dog and headed next door to the bar, where they have live music Thursday through Sunday. It was a great atmosphere, with good cocktails and a decent wine and beer list, and we enjoyed a few drinks before tucking in for the night.
The following morning, we indulged in a big, full Irish breakfast, the perfect meal to fuel up for the drive back home with a sneaky sausage or two for the pup, after all, it was his vacation too!
Overall, I’d highly recommend The Rabbit for your next pet-friendly stay, especially if you have a bit of wholesome relaxation in the cards for 2026!
Shayna was a guest of The Rabbit Hotel
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