Fancy paying $490 for your dog in posh pet hotel?

A chandelier, a 32-inch LCD television and a faux leather orthopaedic bed for maximum comfort.

Sounds like a high-end hotel room?

Yes, but there is a twist.

These facilities are meant only for canines who stay in the Royal Suite of The Wagington, a luxury hotel for pet dogs and cats.

It is located in a two-storey black-and-white colonial house at Loewen Road in the Dempsey area.

"We want to make the pets that stay in our hotel feel at home," said Ms Estelle Tayler, 31, managing director of The Wagington.

Speaking at the media preview of the hotel yesterday, she said the television will show pet movies such as Hotel For Dogs.

The Royal Suite is only for canines, and a night there costs up to $490 for up to three dogs.

There are smaller suites for dogs that have an orthopaedic bed, a litter box and feeding bowls.

Out of the 27 suites in the air-conditioned hotel, only three are for cats.

The feline suites are in a private area away from dogs and each can accommodate up to four cats.

Other facilities include a bone-shaped swimming pool and an outdoor area called Doghill Garden for dogs to run around.

SALON SERVICES

The hotel also provides a large selection of salon services to pamper the pets.

They can have mud masks, aromatherapy facials or head massages.

Ms Tayler used to travel overseas frequently for work, and she would worry about her English bulldog, Bobo, every time she left Singapore.

"There are not a lot of places where I can put Bobo when I travel," she said.

So she decided to set up a hotel for pets.

As a dog owner, Ms Tayler knows what owners look out for when they are searching for a place to house their pets.

Hygiene is an important factor, she said.

Therefore, pets have to undergo thorough checks for fleas, ticks and mites before they are allowed to stay in the hotel.

The hotel has two groomers and five full-time pet handlers.

One pet handler, 18-year-old Maryn Lee, said: "I love animals, and this job combines my passion and work."

But not all dog owners are keen on splurging so much money on their pets.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Jerald Chan, 19, who owns two jack russells, said: "The concept is cool, but the prices are a bit steep, especially for the Royal Suite."

He added that he would feel safer leaving his dogs under the care of his friends, instead of dog handlers.

The Wagington's official opening is slated for mid-November, but the suites are now available for online booking.