The duties of a hotel manager typically include overseeing operations, leading staff and ensuring guest relations run smoothly.
For Rocky, a manager at the Shangri-La The Shard, London, things are a little different.
Among his key responsibilities are welcoming furry VIPs with tail wags, sniffs, and nose boops, maintaining harmony between dogs, cats and parrots and patrolling the lobby to keep squirrels out.
Rocky is no ordinary manager: he’s a self-professed ‘Yorkshire Terrier by breed, hotelier by calling’.
The ultra-luxe hotel’s pet relations manager, his official title, is just one of the hard-working and utterly adorably pets living inside a top hotel.
The Daily Mail takes an inside look at some of the spots with furry residents, from puppies in London to a trio of tortoises in Mauritius…
Rocky, the pet manager at Shangri-La The Shard, London
Yorkshire Terrier Rocky is the ‘pet relations manager’ at London’s Shangri-La The Shard
The pup is adored by hotel staff and guests, and is involved in hotel operations
Rocky, who is 12 years old, has become something of a celebrity at the Shangri-La The Shard among guests and colleagues.
The pooch belongs to the hotel’s general manager, Kurt Macher, and his ‘pet manager’ hotel career first began with Kurt in Singapore, before travelling with him across the world to Hong Kong, Chengdu and, finally, London, where Rocky has now been based for nearly seven years.
Over the years, Rocky has been involved in everything from VIP guest meet-and-greets to granting wishes for Make-A-Wish children, as well as starring in a number of photoshoots and campaigns.
He also played a role in shaping the establishment’s pet programme, which welcomes four-legged guests with a personalised letter from Rocky himself, alongside a guide to his favourite local walking routes, pet boutiques and neighbourhood recommendations.
According to his impressive CV, he has more than three years’ experience in ‘belly rub appreciation’, an ability to boost team morale with ‘surprise zoomies and squeaky toys’ and is fluent in ‘Bark, Woof, and selective hearing’.
Socrate, the guardian cat of Le Bristol Paris
Socrate, a Burmese cat, has been the guardian of luxury Paris hotel Le Bristol since June 2021
Le Bristol Paris has been home to a cherished permanent resident since June 2021: Socrate, the hotel’s male Burmese cat and much-loved guardian of the palace.
Adding a sense of character to the property, Socrate brings personality to one of Paris’s most polished addresses.
The opulent hotel is no stranger to feline guests, with Socrate’s predecessor a fellow Burmese called Fa-raon.
White fur, dazzling blue eyes and a confident march sweep through the hotel, demonstrating Socrates’ run of the place.
Plus, he’s hypoallergenic – ideal for ensuring guests with allergies won’t be affected.
MEME, a permanent resident at ME Milan by Meliá Hotels International
MEME the toy poodle is a permanent resident at ME Milan by Meliá Hotels International
‘MEME has always been much more than a hotel dog – she’s part of the personality and spirit of ME Milan Il Duca,’ says Alessandro Misani, director of operations Italy at Meliá Hotels International, and MEME’s owner.
He adds: ‘Now aged seven and having been part of the hotel family since, MEME has become a familiar and much-loved presence throughout the property, naturally becoming part of the overall guest experience.’
At the Milan hotel, there’s even a special suite designed for dog lovers.
The MEME Suite – created entirely around the wellbeing of dogs and the people who love them – is named after the toy poodle.
It was inspired by the hotel’s furry resident in collaboration with La Maison Sissy, a pet hotel and producer of high-end accessories for small and medium-sized dogs, founded by Denny Maddem and Luri Toniazzo.
Lilibet, a feline ambassador at the Lanesborough, London
Lilibet, a Siberian Forest Cat, is the Lanesborough’s most popular resident
The Lanesborough’s resident feline is Lilibet, a playful Siberian Forest Cat known for her beautiful – and hypoallergenic – coat and affectionate nature.
Since her arrival in June 2019, she’s been lovingly cared for by the hotel’s dedicated Cat Committee.
Given her huge eyes and diva nature, it’s unsurprising Lilibet is adored by staff and guests alike – and celebrity visitors at the hotel have fawned over her.
The Lanesborough Hotel, located in upmarket Knightsbridge, is a regal five-star institution that has hosted such famous guests as Madonna, Sylvester Stallone and members of the Royal Family.
Teddy the Shetland pony, The Goring, London
Teddy is The Goring hotel’s pony in residence – and a glamorous one at that
Teddy the Shetland pony has an Instagram following many celebrity guests would crave – with more than 200,000 followers, he is a self-professed ‘international heartbreaker’ who ‘dabbles in modelling’.
The Goring hotel’s most famous member of staff, the hotel website explains: ‘Despite looking suspiciously like a Shetland pony, Teddy has strong “hotel owner” energy.
‘No one is quite sure what his job actually is but don’t be surprised if you bump into him during your stay. Particularly if you happen to be carrying carrots.’
Fifi, Lola and Toto, the resident tortoises at Shangri-La Le Touessrok in Mauritius
There are three resident tortoises – Fifi, Lola and Toto – at Shangri-La Le Touessrok in Mauritius
Fifi, Lola and Toto are unique pets belonging to the Shangri-La Le Touessrok in Mauritius.
The entire kids club at the resort is themed around the trio – and all the children’s gifts the hotel provides to little guests are branded with Fifi, Lola and Toto.
These include gifts such as branded tote bags, T-shirts and toys.
Fifi and Lola are both around 80 years of age.
However, Toto is 120 years old and has lived at the resort through the First and Second World Wars, as well as the sinking of the Titanic.
George the Labrador, at North Lakes Hotel and Spa, Penrith
George the Labrador with his beloved owner Sharon
George goes into work with his owner and head of sales, Sharon Brook, at North Lakes Hotel and Spa, in Penrith, typically three or four days a week – sometimes more.
George is a three-year-old Labrador who lives on Sharon’s 40ft yacht with her husband when he’s not at the hotel.
He is part of the team welcoming guests behind reception and has his very own fan base.
He’s great for staff morale and a big hit with the guests.
Eddie the Cocker Spaniel, at Langdale Chase, Lake Windermere
Eddie the cocker spaniel is a lakeside enthusiast and loves to get out on the water
Seven-year-old cocker spaniel Eddie spent all of his early years at Langdale Chase, a lakeside retreat in Lake Windermere, when his owners Mike Vincent – who’s now general manager – and his wife Jess lived onsite.
He became part of the fabric of the hotel, wandering freely around, making friends (Mike and Jess worked with a dog trainer to create boundaries and areas he’s not to enter – so he’s very well behaved).
Eddie is employed as the hotel’s ‘head of warm welcomes’. When other dogs stay at Langdale Chase, they get a welcome letter from Eddie telling them how they can get the most out of their stay, including their very own dog menu.
Eddie currently spends an average of four days a week at the hotel.
Yoshi the cat at Les Deux Tours in Marrakech, Morocco
Yoshi is one of the mascot cats at Les Deux Tours in Marrakech
At Les Deux Tours in Marrakech, the animals are part of the family.
Yoshi, one of the mascot cats, has been part of Les Deux Tours for more than ten years.
He has become such an institution within the property that the hotel even named its Japanese sushi counter after him: Le Yoshi Bar.
There are lots of other animals here too.
Among the most iconic residents of the property are the peacocks – one male and one female, but the male is very much a character. He regularly disappears from the property for weeks at a time before returning home.
Every spring, during his ‘show season,’ he performs the same ritual every morning in exactly the same spot, in front of the Salammbo terrace during breakfast, proudly displaying his feathers for the delight of guests, who enjoy a natural spectacle with their morning coffee.
He is also known for spending hours admiring himself in the mirror of the hotel’s outside barber setup.
Kaleb, Gerald, Charlie, Jeremy and Lisa the sheep at Swinney Wood
The sheep are not just part of the natural area near Swinney Wood in the Peak District – but an attraction for guests, too
Resident sheep are a huge part of the Swinney Wood Log Cabins family, adored by everyone who meets them.
The resort asked guests for help picking names and finally settled on names inspired by Clarkson’s Farm – Kaleb, Gerald, Charlie, and Jeremy, with Lisa joining the flock later on.
Kaleb became especially loved for his calm and gentle soul. When he sadly died, the response from guests was incredibly touching, with many leaving tributes. There is now a memorial plaque beside the field where he spent his days.
The sheep are at the heart of Swinney Wood, bringing an abundance of character, playfulness, gentility, and joy. They have even developed a habit of wedding crashing, bringing smiles to happy couples saying, ‘I do’ there.
Rebecca, director of Swinney Wood Log Cabins, said: ‘It’s all about the love at Swinney Wood, and our sheep certainly love to love.
‘They love saying hello to guests, they love a good head or back scratch, they love a wedding, and they absolutely love a good photo opportunity. Most of all though, they love food – and we love them for bringing so much love to everyone who meets them.’
