A dog hotel | Packing my Suitcase

Since I introduced you to Enzzo, my traveling dog, many of you asked me where I leave him when he can’t come along on my trips. Well, I now tell you all about the lovely hotel where he stays – yes, at a dog hotel – the Hundepension Maier.

The Hundepension Maier is located approximately 60Km from Munich, at the little town Obertaufkirchen. It exists for 3 generations now, and it is taken care by the Maier-Breitsamer family since 1946. This family gives all their love to the animals, that being on their hotel, on their training school or in their Great Dane breeding business.

I discovered the hotel through Enzzo’s vet. Since he stayed there for the first time (in May 2013), it is the only place I trust leaving him, the only place I know he will feel at home and will be well taken care of while I’m away.

I have asked the lovely owner of the hotel, Frau Maier, if one day it would be possible for me to take a look around the hotel, take some pictures and share them with you. This week I went to pick Enzzo up after my trip to Egypt, and it was a very beautiful and sunny spring day, just the perfect day to make a visit to the premises of the hotel.

Frau Maier was very kind to show me around, explain how the dogs are taken care of, how is one day at the hotel like for them, and reveal some of the logistics of the place. I fell in love with the place even more!

The reception

Their philosophy is to keep the dogs in contact with people, and to always keep two dogs together in each room. This way, they are never alone and constantly busy with something. The dogs are matched according to their age, size and temperament.

Each room has 2 beds, blankets, water bowl and some toys. They also have a little door to the outside, which gives them access to their private garden. If the weather is good, the door stays open, if not, they manually close it. There are also some special room options: comfort and premium. Some of them offer more space than others.

One of the new rooms

One of the premium rooms

The little door that gives access to the garden

The private gardens

The grass field

Grass field

The private garden of one of the premium rooms

Everyday there is someone cleaning the rooms (I am starting to think that there is cleaner than my own house). At around 8 in the morning they get their breakfast, then go play outside. Apart from the private garden of each room, the dogs can also play in a little field, go for a walk outside the hotel (if booked by the owner), play games or even go for a training section with a trainer (if booked). Enough to keep them busy the whole day!

The hotel has a dog beauty salon, called Wellness Tempel, where your furry friend can be pampered, by getting a haircut and being brushed, taking a bath, getting the nails cut and more. They also have a vet in case anyone needs; this certainly is already a great reason for me not to worry about leaving Enzzo there.

The Wellness Tempel

There is a training school at the hotel, in case you want to train your dog. It is also possible to stay there with your friend for a few days, they offer some courses once in a while, which you can take part together with your furry friend. Or you can simply stay there for a few days; this option is great for those coming to Munich for business with their dogs and need to be away during the day. The accommodations have varied prices and include breakfast!

Training place

One of the reasons I love about Hundepension Maier, apart from the amazing and friendly staff, is that they post pictures of the dogs on their Facebook page. This way I know how Enzzo is doing, what he is doing and who is his partner in crime… here are a few shots from different stays along the past 2 years:

As you can see, Enzzo has made a few friends in the past years. I heard that he gets along very well with all dogs, that he is a sweetie and a well behaved dog… not that I didn’t know that already! Sorry, I am a proud mama!

You know what else is cool about Hundepension Maier? Many many German and international celebrities have left they dog there, and some still do. Football players from Bayern München, actors and singers to mention a few. Cool huh?

Since the hotel is a bit far from Munich, there is a pick up service called Bow-Wow Express, which can pick up and deliver your friend at your doorstep for a fair price. I still haven’t used this service, since I always like to deliver him there myself… I really don’t mind the distance.

I find the hotel offer a fair price, especially taking into consideration that the place is simply a spa/wellness to the dogs. Every time I leave Enzzo at Hundepension Maier, I travel with no worries, I really trust them and I can never thank them enough for taking care of my furry baby. And every time I go to pick him up, he always comes clean and brushed!

During the photo shooting, look who spotted me after 1 week away…

Surprise, mama is back! Or more like: what are you doing here?!