The Old Clare Hotel Sydney Full Review – A Dog Friendly Boutique Stay in Chippendale
Chippendale’s coolest boutique hotel welcomes pups with retro pet lounges, gourmet treats and a dose of inner-city charm.
Tucked into the creative heart of Chippendale, this boutique hotel serves up industrial-chic rooms with a playful edge. Book the Pet Staycation package and your pup scores a retro-style lounge, treats from MY DOG®, a plush toy and even a custom bowl to take home. With pubs, cafés and green spaces right outside the door, it’s the kind of stay that feels equal parts city escape and neighbourhood hangout.
Let’s check into The Old Clare and see how a Pet Staycation in Chippendale really feels.
Dog Friendly Features at The Old Clare
Pet Fee & Packages
Available through the Pet Staycation package, running seasonally. Bookable in Kent or Abercrombie Rooms only.
Pet Rooms
Choose from the Kent Room or the Abercrombie Room, each set up with a mini retro-style pet lounge and dog-friendly amenities.
Price
$$$ – Mid-to-premium boutique tier. Well-priced for a design hotel in such a central location.
Pet Policy
One dog per room, up to 10kg. Dogs must use the provided dog bed, be kept on-leash in public areas, and not be left unattended.
Welcome Amenities
Complimentary MY DOG® treats, a plush toy, retro pet lounge and a custom MY DOG® bowl to take home. You’ll also find The Old Clare’s pet directory waiting in-room, pointing you towards local dog-friendly haunts.
Green Spaces Nearby
hippendale Green is just around the corner, while Victoria Park and Prince Alfred Park offer bigger stretches of grass within a short walk.
Staff Friendliness
The Old Clare team are happy to fuss over your pup and offer tips on where to head next.
Our Take
Checking in feels more like sliding into Sydney’s creative undercurrent than a polished hotel lobby. The retro dog lounge, the toy and the treats are fun, a little unexpected and they tell you this place cares about quirks over clichés. Out the door, Chippendale hums with street art, craft beer, and late-night ramen spots. It’s not luxury in the traditional sense, but it’s memorable, and your pup gets just as much out of it as you do.
Why We Recommend The Old Clare
Because your dog deserves boutique digs too. The Old Clare throws out the boring “pet-friendly” label and delivers a proper experience: retro pet lounge, welcome treats and staff who’ll probably remember your pup’s name before yours. Outside Chippendale’s got the street art, coffee haunts and after-dark buzz to keep you both entertained.
Neighbourhood Highlights
Where to Play
Dog-Friendly Parks & Walks
- Victoria Park – Right across the road, with wide lawns, shady trees and a lake. Dogs allowed off-leash from 6pm to 8am under voice control – perfect for a quick pre-café play.
- Prince Alfred Park – Ten minutes on foot, with open grassy stretches and walking paths. Dogs are welcome off-leash at all times in the central grass and woodland area (but not in the pool, courts or playground).
- Redfern Park – A little further afield, this park is a heritage-charm favourite. Dogs can go off-leash here from 4:30 pm to 9:30 am – great for evening strolls or early morning runs.
Where to Eat & Drink
Dog-Friendly Cafes
- Hatch Espresso – Small but buzzing, with great coffee and staff who don’t blink when you turn up with a pup.
- Henry Lees – A local favourite tucked into a laneway; the leafy courtyard is perfect for sprawling with a dog under the table.
- Gardener’s Lodge Café – Housed in a heritage sandstone lodge in Victoria Park, this café combines history, greenery and easy dog-friendly outdoor seating.
Dog-Friendly Pubs
- The Lord Gladstone – Street art on the outside, laid-back dog-friendly beer garden on the inside. A local institution with plenty of character.
- The Chippo Hotel – Classic inner-city pub vibes, a great option for a casual pint or bite with your four-legged mate by your side.
- The Rose Hotel – A little further into Chippendale but worth it for the sprawling beer garden, cold drinks and welcoming dog-loving crowd.
👉 See more in our Sydney dog-friendly pubs guide and cafés guide
Gallery
Before You Book
- Address: The Old Clare Hotel, 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale NSW 2008
- Parking: Limited paid parking is available nearby; the hotel can advise on current rates and availability. Street parking in Chippendale is tight, so plan ahead.
- Transport: Central Station is a short walk away, with trains, buses and light rail connecting you across Sydney. Plenty of inner-city buses stop along Broadway, making it easy to get around without a car.
PawTripper tip: Not all the transport options apply when you’re travelling with your dog – check our guide to dog-friendly transport in Sydney for the real run-down.
Always confirm details when booking, as availability and pricing can change.
Not all the transport options above apply when you’ve got a dog in tow – check our dog-friendly transport in Sydney guide for the real run-down.
About the Author
PawTripper co-founder Michelle Hatch calls Sydney home and has built a life around one thing—making every adventure better with dogs. She leads our accommodation reviews and neighbourhood guides, with a focus on practical details (pet fees, room types, parks nearby) and honest, first-hand advice for travelling with dogs.
When she’s not scouting stays, Michelle’s out exploring off-leash parks with Eliza or mapping out the next dog-friendly road trip. Say hi at hello@pawtripper.com.au.
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