Rome Airport’s Luxe Dog Hotel Lets You Fly While Fido Gets a Spa Day
Fiumicino Airport launches luxury dog hotel with pampering services and stress-free pet travel.
Traveling pet owners often grapple with the challenge of arranging care for their dogs, a process that can be both stressful and time-consuming. Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport has introduced a groundbreaking solution with Dog Relais, one of the first on-site canine hotels at a major European airport. Inspired by a similar facility in Frankfurt, Dog Relais allows staff to collect dogs directly from the terminal, enabling owners to proceed to their flights without delay.
“This project enhances the travel experience by providing exceptional services for dogs and their owners,” said Marilena Blasi, Chief Commercial Officer at Aeroporti di Roma, which oversees Rome’s airports.
Since its opening in May 2025, Dog Relais has offered 40 luxurious rooms starting at €40 (approximately $47 USD). Each room features temperature-controlled floors and private gardens for relaxation. Shy or solitary dogs are accommodated in quieter kennels with dedicated staff attention. At night, soothing 432-hertz ambient music promotes a calming environment for restful sleep.
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The hotel provides standard services like grooming, bathing, and dental care, alongside premium offerings such as aromatherapy with lavender or peppermint scents and arnica cream massages for muscle relief. For owners seeking constant connection, premium rooms at €60 (about $70 USD) include screens for 24/7 video calls and a mobile app-linked treat dispenser for remote interaction.
Dog Relais also serves as a daycare for local pet owners. Alessandra Morelli, a 47-year-old Aeroporti di Roma employee, relies on the facility for her Labrador Retriever, Nina. “It’s transformed my work-life balance, allowing me to travel and work with complete peace of mind,” she said. Similarly, Dario Chiassarini, a 32-year-old car salesman, trusts Dog Relais for his Rottweiler puppy, Athena, praising its cleanliness, accessibility, and caring staff. “We’ll use it for future travels without hesitation,” he noted.
The facility has seen significant popularity, with all 40 rooms fully booked in August 2025 during Italy’s peak vacation season and an average occupancy of nearly two-thirds since opening, according to Blasi. In a complementary development, Italy’s aviation authority updated regulations in May 2025 to allow large dogs in secure crates to travel in cabins on domestic flights, with the first such flight scheduled for September 23.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini described this as a “step forward in civilization,” despite varied passenger opinions. Dog Relais at Fiumicino Airport sets a new standard for pet-friendly travel, blending luxury, convenience, and care to ensure dogs are pampered while their owners travel with ease.
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