A HOTEL which caters exclusively for dogs has been shortlisted for an award.

The Country Dog Hotel, based in the Quantock Hills near Taunton, has been nominated for a Rural Business Award.

The hotel, which looks after dogs on a three-night minimum basis, is up against four other companies in the ‘best rural start up’ category.

Rural Business Awards co-founder Jemma Clifford said: “Here at the Rural Business Awards we definitely have a soft spot for our four-legged friends and we were blown away by The Country Dog Hotel, shortlisted in our start-up category.

“The business hasn’t been going for long but its achievements are already impressive, with a long list of five-star reviews on social media and a six-page spread in a major national magazine already under its belt.

“We thought that offering a luxury home-from-home service for dogs was a great idea and we particularly liked the enormous range of beautiful walks in the Quantock Hills that The Country Dog Hotel Ltd can offer its guests – and we all know how all dogs love to be taken for a walk

“We also admired the way this business was attracting tourism to the area.”

The hotel is run by Rebecca Linnell and her partner, alongside their seven children.

The hotel is grown in popularity since its opening and has even seen a few famous pooches using its services.

She said: “We run a hotel for dogs in the rural Somerset countryside for the last two years and have become very popular in a short time on a national scale.

“We offer a great holiday for dogs and all of our 90 reviews have five stars. We have been named one of the most it demand dog hotels in the UK and have recently started taking guests from very wealthy areas in Chelsea and have even had bookings from a few celebrities.

“We have had such a great time building the business and working so hard to develop our client base and services.”

Mrs Linnell was also invited at the end of last year to go to Downing Street to meet with the Prime Minister’s business advisor alongside other South West entrepreneurs.

The regional winners of the awards will be announced in October, ahead of the awards ceremony and final in February 2019.