Hotels & Accommodations
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Gives Dog Owners & Their Pups Something To Celebrate This International Dog Day

- From the Rockies to Sonoma, Fairmont welcomes four-legged guests with world class hospitality and adorable Fairmont Canine Ambassadors across the globe
July 29, 2025 – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of world-leading hospitality group Accor, invites guests to celebrate International Dog Day on August 26, with heartwarming stays that go beyond just “pet friendly”, which ‘Make Special Happen’ for all of its guests. While Fairmont embraces this special holiday with a series of paw-fect offerings, Fairmont’s global hotels and resorts continue to offer top-tier service and dog pampering all year round across its iconic destinations globally.
Celebrate International Dog Day with Fairmont’s Canine Ambassadors who offer a warm welcome to travelers and their furry companions at select locations. This team of primed pooches provides a special comfort by greeting guests in the lobby, accompanying them on walks and filling in whenever travelers are missing their own furry friends back at home. Dog lovers can find their own Canine Ambassador at these Fairmont hotels:
- Serene is the gentle Golden Retriever named, ‘Chief Happiness Officer’ (CHO) at the just opened Fairmont Tokyo, greeting guests at Fairmont’s first location in Japan
- Calla, the Golden Retriever, loves being the first face to greet guests at the main entrance of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. When she isn’t welcoming new friends at the Main Lodge, she can be found taking long walks along Lac Beauvert and sneaking the occasional treat
- Cori Copley, the Insta-famous black Lab at Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, proudly follows in her predecessor’s paw steps as the hotel’s most photographed team member. Beloved by travelers and locals alike, Cori can even serve as a ceremonial witness for onsite weddings booked through the hotel’s Pawfect Union package
- Georgie, the yellow Labrador at Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown, is a celebrated part of the guest experience, she is known for lobby greetings and sometimes attends breaks between guest meetings
- At Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, guests are greeted by beloved lobby Labradors, Ella and Elly, and can take part in the hotel’s pet program that includes in-room beds, treats, and a curated list of dog-friendly activities in the city
- Chardonnay at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa is named Director of Pet Relations and can be found roaming the grounds of the resort, ready to greet guests with a big Golden Retriever smile. Trained by Napa-based Canine Guardians, Chardonnay’s friendly nature and service-dog skills make her the perfect greeter for guests and their pets
- Fairmont is committed to ensuring all guests, including four legged, receive luxury and personalized service. Across the portfolio, many properties offer bespoke amenities and services, designed to ensure each pet is as comfortable as its human. Popular pup-tastic experiences are available at multiple Fairmont properties helping guests celebrate International Dog Day and beyond, with their furry friend, including:
Dine Like Puppy Royalty with In-Room Gourmet Menus
Canine companions staying at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Fairmont Copley Plaza can enjoy the finer things in life with gourmet, room-service style dog menus featuring locally inspired, protein-rich meals. Whether curled up fireside in Jasper or an après-adventure in Banff, dogs can dine in style with chef-crafted dishes that include indulgent touches like Boston’s Codfish & Caviar – and yes, the service includes a fancy caviar bump.
Tail Wagging Welcomes
At various Fairmont properties such as Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Fairmont Château Whistler, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Tokyo, or The Plaza – A Fairmont Managed Hotel, canine guests are greeted with more than just open arms. Upon arrival, pups receive their own cozy dog bed, bowls filled with fresh water, and a special dog-friendly welcome gift to kick off their stay. At The Plaza – A Fairmont Managed Hotel, up to two dogs per room are welcome with no size or weight limit and no additional pet fee. The Pampered Pup Package offers pets a custom Plaza-embroidered doggie bathrobe, and doggie-treat-tier filled with dog-friendly macarons (ingredients: oat flour, honey, coconut oil, all-natural yogurt filling of various flavors).
Accommodations are thoughtfully designed with pets in mind – spacious enough for four-legged friends to stretch out and relax in comfort while their owners soak in mountain or city views. Whether it’s your pup’s first stay or fifteenth, Fairmont ensures that every furry guest feel right at home.
Paw-sitively Perfect Dog Walking Services
Whether you’re hitting the slopes, heading to the spa, or exploring the city, Fairmont makes sure your pet is well cared for while you’re away. At Fairmont Waterfront, dog walking services can be arranged upon request through trusted local partners – perfect for giving pets a break while you take one too. In Seattle, Fairmont Olympic offers dog walking as part of its curated Canine Club experience, making it easy to explore knowing your companion is in good hands.
Explore Together with Dog-Friendly City Guides
At both Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Waterfront and Fairmont Banff Springs, the concierge offers curated travel guides for dog-loving travelers – highlighting scenic local parks, dog-friendly patios, and nearby trails for morning walks or sunset strolls. These guides help turn every outing into a canine-friendly adventure.
Capture the Moment with Custom Pet Portraits
Commemorate your dog’s luxurious stay with a one-of-a-kind keepsake at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. The hotel partners with a local artist to offer custom pet portraits that capture your pup’s personality. Whether it’s a painted masterpiece or illustrated print, this is the perfect way to remember your dog’s Sonoma escape.
#FAIRMONTLOVESDOGS
Fairmont is proud to celebrate International Dog Day across its global portfolio. Guests are encouraged to share their Canine Ambassador meet-and-greets and pet travel stories using the hashtag #FairmontLovesDogs.
Hotels & Accommodations
Drury Hotels Opens New Hotel in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Drury Hotels, a leading service-oriented hospitality company with over 150 hotels in 30 states, announces its new resort-style hotel is now open in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The new hotel is the sixth Drury Hotel in Tennessee and features 252 guest rooms, on-site dining, free parking, Drury’s award-winning customer service, and best-in-class amenities.
The Drury Plaza Hotel Pigeon Forge is located off U.S. Route 321 at 140 Jake Thomas Road, offering scenic views of the Smoky Mountains and the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. Situated less than ten miles from the area’s top tours and attractions, the hotel is minutes from The Island Entertainment District, TITANIC Museum, Dollywood Theme Parks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Ripken Experience, Gatlinburg, and more. The new hotel is conveniently adjacent to the LeConte Event Center, a popular entertainment venue offering more than 230,000 square feet of concert, meeting, event, and group space. With the ability to accommodate on-site bus parking, the Drury Plaza Hotel Pigeon Forge is ready to welcome tour groups.
The new Drury Plaza Hotel features 252 guest rooms, offering queen, king, and suite accommodations. The hotel’s wide range of amenities includes free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, 24-hour business and fitness centers, an indoor pool, and a splash pad. The new hotel also features an outdoor whirlpool and fire pits, set in a scenic location overlooking the Little Pigeon River. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, including a complimentary hot breakfast, dinnertime snacks and beverages at Drury’s signature 5:30 Kickback®, and an outdoor patio space as part of The Kitchen + Bar, a lunch and late-night dining option offering casual dishes, quick bites, handcrafted cocktails, and other beverages.
The hotel will employ 75 full-time and part-time team members, with General Manager Henny Baranyai leading the team.
For a complete listing of all Drury hotels or reservations, visit druryhotels.com or call 1-800-DRURYINN. For information about career opportunities at Drury Hotels, visit jobs.druryhotels.com/.
Drury Plaza Hotel Pigeon Forge
140 Jake Thomas Rd
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
United States
+1 865-365-3600
Hotels & Accommodations
Best luxury hotels in Seville 2025, reviewed

Six centuries ago, Seville was one of Europe’s richest and most important cities. A gateway to, and main trading port with, the “New World”. Much of the wealth that flowed in over the centuries was invested in opulent mansions, and these are now enchanting, upscale hotels, reflecting the city’s rich artistic and architectural legacy – original stone floors, pretty patios, hand-painted tiles. At the other end of the timescale is the lipstick-shaped skyscraper, which allows you to see over the entire cityscape. These four and five-star hotels are a mix of individually owned, small groups and international chains, but each one is outstanding for its style, comfort, and location, plus those extras that we’re always delighted by in a high-end establishment.
Best luxury hotels in Seville 2025
At a glance
Each of these establishments has a swimming pool or spa – in some cases both – which is essential for cooling off during the sweltering summer months.
Fiona Flores Watson
1. Hotel Alfonso XIII
Easily the most magnificent hotel in Seville, this landmark property was designed to accommodate the eponymous king, his family and important guests at the 1929 Ibero-American Expo. The majestic Regionalist building shows off Seville crafts – signature pale pink bricks and colourful Triana tiles – while 151 luxurious rooms feature geometric marble flooring, plush upholstered wardrobes, and exquisite Moroccan stucco arches; the suites are suitably regal. At Ena terrace restaurant (named after Alfonso’s English queen), tuck into excellent salads (broccoli, courgette, and quinoa), accompanied by night-time flamenco, while you can sip your Alfonso Spritz (elderflower spirit, white wine, and grapefruit soda) in the glamorous American Bar to live jazz. The palm-shaded garden’s swimming pool is a delight, and, highly unusual for Seville, the hotel even has its own onsite car park.
Address: C. San Fernando, 2, Casco Antiguo, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Read more: Why the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela is worthy of a food pilgrimage
2. CoolRooms Palacio de Villapanés hotel
Supremely elegant – it is a former Marquess’ palace, after all – this establishment in Alfalfa barrio brings Mid-century style and wood parquet floors to a grand 18th-century Andalucian house with pretty arcaded patio, stunning marble floors and lofty ceilings. Contemporary furniture and artworks in the 50 pared-down rooms, some with wood panelling, create a chic feel. From the rooftop terrace, with its daybeds and plunge pool, you can see the Cathedral and Salvador church, while the basement spa offers relaxation and pampering. Eat in the spacious terrace, rather than the dark dining room – decent but pricey Mediterranean cuisine with a modern touch (almadraba tuna tataki with wheat, pumpkin and wakame); we especially love the Moroccan-vibe cubby-hole in the bar.
Address: C. Santiago, 31, Casco Antiguo, 41003 Sevilla, Spain
Read more: The enchanting Spanish town that got tourism right
3. Eurostars Torre Sevilla hotel
At this tower hotel, in the top 19 floors of Andalucia’s eponymous tallest building which opened in 2018, the views are clearly the main attraction. As it’s elliptically-shaped, every room has a prime bird’s eye vista of the city laid out below, from the Cartuja Monastery to the north, via 180-degree views of the river, to Triana neighbourhood. The 244 rooms are comfortable if corporate, with huge picture windows, which are also present in the restaurant, spa – being pummelled in a pool at 170-odd metres is an elevating experience – and the stunning top-floor panoramic bar, refreshingly breezy even on hot nights thanks to a partially opening roof. Look out for pointers on the floor indicating the locations of the main city monuments.
Address: Sevilla Tower, Pl. Alcalde Sánchez Monteseirín, 2 edificio, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
Read more: The Mediterranean escape with something for all the family
4. Hotel Mercer Sevilla
Low-key luxe personified, this Arenal district hotel is all about impeccable service and unflashy hedonism. The 19th-century mansion was masterfully converted by the same Seville architects who renovated the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Cruz y Ortiz. The proportions – tall, light-filled patio with 15-metre vertical garden stretching up the roof terrace (closed to the general public, unusually); supremely elegant, curved marble staircase – give a feeling of space; plus, there are only 11 rooms in the sizeable building. Fabulously comfortable Poltrona Frau beds as well as Japanese toilets and unfussy décor – large monochrome artworks, gunmetal grey rugs – add to the urban luxury feel. The restaurant is a secret winner – try the bao buns with presa ibérica (pork shoulder).
Address: C. de Castelar, 26, Casco Antiguo, 41001 Sevilla, Spain
Read more: Best luxury hotels in Tenerife for sophisticated retreats and adults-only spa escapes
5. Hotel Casa Palacio Don Ramón
Awarded Best New Boutique Hotel in the World Travel Awards 2024, this privately-owned establishment delights from drinks to décor. El Limón restaurant is one of the city’s most enchanting spaces, with smart, white-jacketed waiters, lemon trees, zingy orange and green geometric tiles and Seville’s La Cartuja tableware. The entire hotel creates an enveloping, magical atmosphere: an exquisite mural of lemon trees and birds in the bar, a trompe l’oeil of the Alcazar gardens in the lobby, Turkish Topkapi Palace-inspired wallpaper in the halls. Back on home ground, try superb wines from nearby (ask for zancúo grape), while furniture is handmade by a local artisan. On a practical level, traffic sounds from the busy street – you’re steps away from the main shopping district – are thankfully muted by thick glass in the 26 rooms.
Address: C. Trajano, 2, Casco Antiguo, 41002 Sevilla, Spain
Read more: The crowd-free island getaway that won’t break the bank this summer
6. Hotel Colón Gran Meliá
We love this hotel for its corner rooftop pool-with-views, gorgeous Art Deco stained glass dome, weekend live music and flamenco shows, but mainly for its mini-museum on the ground floor. Fans, flamenco dresses and guitars greet guests as they check in, plunging you straight into Sevillano culture. In another salon, displays of photos, programmes and invitations relate the history of the hotel, and the city’s Expo in 1929 for which it was built; you can also check out ceramic tiles, prehistoric jewellery replicas, and book and mementoes from Semana Santa (Holy Week). There’s a cool co-working room which doubles as a library of Spanish writers – they hold a monthly book club here. For pampering, the Clarins Spa is next to the rooftop pool. Another touch we like is the electric Audi Q e-tron car that guests can borrow – though we’d suggest driving out of the city, to avoid the labyrinthine centre.
Address: C. Canalejas, 1, Casco Antiguo, 41001 Sevilla, Spain
Read more: Best cities to visit in Spain – where to stay and what to do in each one
7. Vincci Selección Unuk hotel
Holding a prime spot in Alfalfa, between Plaza Cristo de Burgos and the bar-filled barrio back streets, this hotel is one of only three in Seville with a Michelin key, the new hotel award (the others are Palacio Villapanes and the Mercer Sevilla). The urban chic property nails the period/contemporary fusion in an uber-cool mix of marble columns, velvet sofas and geometric patterned floors, plus fabulous metal chain pendant lights. Black glass panels and globe lights lend the rooms a futuristic feel. Be sure to visit the glass cube rooftop restaurant, with outdoor terrace (and a small pool), at least once – prepped for all weather eventualities, with openable 360-degree windows and air-con; you’re surrounded by a veritable sea of tiled church domes. Recommended refreshment: fino spritz (sherry with lemon, mint, and bergamot).
Address: C. Ortiz de Zúñiga, 8, Casco Antiguo, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Read more: The best beaches in Tenerife
8. EME Catedral Mercer hotel
You can’t get closer to the world’s largest Gothic cathedral than this: from the roof terrace bar, check out the orange tree-filled Patio de Naranjas, formerly the entrance to the 12th-century Great Mosque. This Islamic heritage is celebrated in the patio’s celosia (lattice screen) which you can admire while dining at Al Lado Italian restaurant; for Spanish rice dishes, Mi Arma’s pavement terrace looks onto the Giralda (minaret of the mosque), and Maestro is an abaceria, where you sit at the wooden bar and taste wine (order El Sueño del Niño) with tapas of cold meats and cheese. All 60 minimalist rooms reflect the celosia motif as headboards; cathedral-facing ones are noisier at night, but any room with this view during the Holy Week processions is highly prized.
Address: C. Alemanes, 27, Casco Antiguo, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Read more: I was drugged and robbed in Barcelona – but I’d travel back in a heartbeat
9. Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento hotel
If you’re going to an event at the Olympic Stadium – a football match, since both Seville football clubs are relocating there while their stadia are renovated, or a concert – or you’re visiting nearby Isla Magica theme park (water park, tethered hot air balloon, what’s not to like?) – this is a great place to stay. You’re outside the centre, on Isla Cartuja where the Expo 92 was held, so there’s plenty of outdoor space. A modern building with lofty glass atria, pools and palm trees, and 295 contemporary-styled rooms, as well as pleasant Arrozante rice restaurant, and Santa Maria gastrobar, this property also has a beautiful garden with a sizeable indoor-outdoor swimming pool (indoor heated in winter), plus kids’ pool, perfect for a lazy (or energetic, depending on your aquatic sporting prowess) post-sightseeing afternoon.
Address: Av. Álvaro Alonso Barba, s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
Read more: The best boutique hotels in Ibiza for chic suites and Instagram-worthy pools
10. Only You Hotel Sevilla
The building’s aesthetics, views and location (handy for trains, admittedly, being opposite the station) aren’t the best, but we love everything else about this place: the retro-chic interiors, smiling staff, pretty pool surrounded by macrame parasols and cute wooden beach bar. The 221 rooms have soothing lighting and Smart TVs which list the English-language channels on one screen – a small but gratifying detail. At breakfast, their own barista creates brews: coffee-lovers will appreciate Rocio’s dab hand with a Japanese syphon and V60 to start their day. Be aware that after you’ve filled up on the excellent breakfast, delicious pastries by local baker Manu Jara are on sale in the lobby – can you resist his apricot and pistachio tart (we can’t)?
Address: Av. de Kansas City, 7, 41018 Sevilla, Spain
Read more: Best cheap hotels in Ibiza if you’re on a budget
Why trust us
The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent’s expert travel writer, Fiona Flores Watson, a freelance writer and editor who has lived in Seville, Spain, for 20 years and has a deep knowledge of the destination, ensuring a personal and informed perspective. When picking which hotels to include, they consider their own experience staying in the hotels and evaluate location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller.
FAQs
When is the best time of year to travel to Seville?
To visit the city when the temperatures are not too hot, visit Seville in spring or autumn. Temperatures in these months range from 15-25C on average.
Where are the nicest areas to stay in Seville?
Barrio Santa Cruz is the city’s most famous neighbourhood, known for its historical architecture and tapas bars tucked away on small, colourful streets. Meanwhile, Triana is one of Seville’s most traditional areas where many locals live, Barrio Alfalfa has beautiful plazas and independent shops to explore, while La Alameda de Hércules is a trendy area with vibrant nightlife.
Where do celebrities stay?
The luxury Hotel Alfonso XIII is one of the most well-known hotels in the city, and has likely attracted celebrities since opening in 1928.
What currency do I need?
Seville uses the euro (€).
Hotels & Accommodations
Over 10,000 hotels join mass claim against Booking.com

Over 10,000 hotels in Europe have joined a class action lawsuit against Booking.com. They demand compensation for alleged damages caused by the well-known hotel booking site’s previous clauses preventing them from offering lower prices elsewhere. These clauses allegedly violate European regulations.
The lawsuit is being filed by the European hospitality industry association Hotrec. “European hoteliers have long suffered from unfair terms and conditions and excessive costs. Now is the time to stand together and demand redress,” said chairman Alexandros Vassilikos.
In the Netherlands, the Consumentenbond is also preparing a mass claim on behalf of consumers. Approximately 180,000 people registered in the first week after the consumers’ association’s announcement.
Booking.com previously disputed the claims. A spokesperson said in early July that they were based on an incorrect interpretation of previous rulings. “It is absolutely nonsense to claim that Booking.com has artificially inflated prices.”
Last year, the European Court of Justice ruled that the restrictions imposed by Booking.com on hotels offering lower rates on their own websites or other platforms were unnecessary and could reduce competition. However, Booking.com argued that such clauses were not inherently anticompetitive under EU law.
If the class actions go to court, Booking.com intends to oppose them. The platform, founded in the Netherlands in the 1990s, has abandoned the offending policy in Europe.
Parity clauses are no longer permitted under the European Digital Markets Act, which came into effect last year. This law is intended to curb the power of digital platforms, which consumers and businesses can hardly ignore.
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