Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) has opened its first-ever luxury hotel for dogs, Dog Relais.
Located inside FCO Airport’s terminal, beside the airport’s long-term car park building, Dog Relais offers boarding and daycare, as well as pampering, for dogs when their humans need to travel.
The first dog hotel facility in any Italian airport, Dog Relais’ facilities are equipped with panel climate control, automatic water dispensers, and preferred background music for dogs.
A standard single accommodation for one dog starts at €39.9 per night, featuring four sqm indoor space + 10 sqm outdoor space, climate control system, fabric pillow, and an automatic water dispenser. Lodging can cost as much as €59.9 per night, which includes premium offerings such as leather pillows, aromatherapy, video call sessions with owners, and a spa day for the pet.
Owners can also opt for additional services while their pooches are staying at the hotel, such as dental cleaning and grooming.
The opening of Dog Relais comes after Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport relaxed its air travel regulations allowing large and medium sized dogs to travel on commercial flights alongside their owners.
Animali a bordo degli #aerei: si allarga la possibilità di trasportare gli amici a quattro zampe in cabina anziché in stiva come auspicato dal ministro @matteosalvinimi. Lo stabilirà il cda di @EnacGov https://t.co/fgAagCh6Wo pic.twitter.com/fimqmEsqfA
— Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti (@mitgov_it) May 9, 2025
Established on May 12, 2025, Italy’s new rules on pet travel now permit medium to large-sized dogs to travel with their owners in the cabin of an aircraft, leaving airlines to individually impose their own conditions.
“The total weight of the animal and the carrier can be higher than the limits currently foreseen, but not exceed the maximum weight foreseen for an average passenger,” the ministry said in a statement.
