081111- Five Star Canine Comfort

Five Star Canine Comfort

This is Munich's newest luxury hotel.

But if you haven't got paws and a waggy tail, don't even think about trying to book a room here - as it's strictly for dogs.

The Canis Resort, opening soon in the southern German city, says it is the world's first five star canine getaway.

Dog-lover Sabine Gerteis helped set up the hotel - she says they want to offer four-legged friends a little bit of luxury.

SOUNDBITE: Sabine Gerteis, Canis Resort manager, saying (German):

"The dog can decide for itself if it wants to lie indoors, or be outside and it can also relax. If it wants to be stroked, there's a dog sitter there. We have a big meadow where the dogs can run around and play, and they are looked after individually by our dog sitters."

These so-called dog lodges can each hold up to five pooches and have an outdoor space with a lawn.

20 dog sitters will be on hand to look after a maximum of 40 guests.

Gerteis thinks the hotel is perfect for people who travel a lot, and want their pets to have a little holiday too.

SOUNDBITE: Sabine Gerteis, Canis Resort manager, saying (German):

"Our check-in is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That's useful for business travellers, as we are nine kilometres away from Munich airport."

The dogs can relax during the day while their owners are busy, before being transported to the airport to meet them in the arrivals hall.

Or they can book in for an overnight stay, which costs 80 euros - or just over a hundred U.S. dollars.

While some humans may balk at paying so much for a room for their dog - Canis Resort's managers have big expansion plans - with a second dog hotel planned in Munich, and later on in Stuttgart and Zurich.

Joanna Partridge, Reuters