🐾 No Fee Pet Charges
⭐ 4.9 / 5 Google Rating (77 reviews)
🏠 3BHK Homestay Unit
Shiv Homestay is a clean, freshly constructed 3BHK property located on the highway near Dwarka, in Varvala, Gujarat — one of the few pet-friendly stays in this pilgrimage-heavy stretch of Saurashtra where pets are not just tolerated but explicitly welcome at zero extra charges. The property holds a 4.9-star Google rating across 77 reviews, with guests consistently praising the spotless rooms, functional kitchen, and responsive hosts. For pet parents making the Dwarka circuit, this is a rare, practical base that doesn't ask you to hide your dog at check-in. Most accommodation in this area caters to pilgrims and family groups, and pet acceptance — let alone pet acceptance with no surcharge — is genuinely hard to find. Shiv Homestay fills that gap cleanly.
✓ Verified by the Pet Friendly Places team
The property confirmed that pets are allowed with no extra charges and no separate pet policy — meaning your dog stays with you in the room without any surcharge or paperwork. This was verified directly through the property listing on Booking.com, which explicitly states: "Pets are allowed. No extra charges."
The Property
Shiv Homestay is a newer construction — reviewers specifically call it a "fresh construction property" — which shows immediately in the condition of the rooms. Guests describe spotless bathrooms, tile and marble floors, and rooms that are well-arranged and exactly as shown in photos. That consistency between listing images and reality is something pet parents especially value: you are not arriving to discover a very different space than the one you booked. Each room comes with an extra-long bed (over 2 metres), air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with free toiletries and a hairdryer. The property has a private entrance and key access, so you are not walking through a crowded shared lobby with your dog every time you head in or out.
The kitchen is what sets this homestay apart from most in its price bracket. Reviewers specifically flag it as an "actually usable kitchen" — not a kettle and a microwave tucked into a corner, but a proper setup with a refrigerator, washing machine, tumble dryer, electric kettle, kitchenware, and cleaning products. For anyone travelling with a dog, this is a meaningful detail. You can store wet food, wash bowls properly, prep meals after a long drive, and do a load of laundry if your dog decided to roll in something between Rajkot and Dwarka. A tea and coffee maker is included in the room, along with complimentary Maggi — small touches that reviewers genuinely appreciated and that make the difference between a functional stay and a comfortable one.
For Pet Parents Specifically
The pet policy here is about as straightforward as it gets: pets are allowed, no extra charges, no separate pet policy. There are no breed restrictions mentioned anywhere in the available sources, no weight limits listed, and no additional deposit flagged on the booking platform or in any review. The Booking.com listing confirms this explicitly under the Pets section. Dogs are welcome in the rooms — the allowance is listed at the room level, not restricted to grounds or common areas only. You are not booking a pet-tolerant property that quietly asks you to keep your dog out of sight; you are booking a place that has formally listed pets as welcome and charges nothing extra for it.
The property has a balcony and terrace, which gives your dog an outdoor option without leaving the unit entirely. There is outdoor furniture on site as well. The surrounding area is described by one reviewer as "under construction," which is worth knowing — the immediate streetscape is not scenic, and it is not a place for a picturesque morning walk. However, the flip side of that is open, uncluttered ground nearby if your dog simply needs to stretch and relieve themselves. The Honest Hotel restaurant is within walkable distance, which reviewers flagged as a practical option for meals without needing to drive.
One detail worth raising before you arrive: the number of pets permitted per room is not specified in any available source. If you are travelling with more than one dog, confirm this directly with the property. Similarly, whether the balcony and terrace are enclosed or open is not confirmed — if your dog is not reliably recall-trained or tends to test boundaries, check the layout before assuming they can be left unsupervised in an outdoor space. These are not red flags; they are simply gaps in the available information that a quick phone call can resolve.
Location and Getting Around
Varvala is a small settlement on the highway corridor near Dwarka, Gujarat — approximately 5 kilometres from Dwarka city centre and the Dwarkadhish Temple complex. This matters for context: Dwarka is one of the four sacred dhams of Hinduism and draws enormous crowds, particularly during festival periods. The town itself is dense, spiritually charged, and not especially dog-friendly in its public spaces. Most hotels that are close to the temple precinct either do not accept pets or impose strict restrictions and surcharges. Shiv Homestay's position on the highway edge of Varvala keeps you close enough to visit the town comfortably while sitting outside the congested core.
Having your own vehicle is genuinely recommended for this stay. One reviewer specifically notes the property is slightly away from the main area, and while a local taxi can cover the distance, a private car or self-drive makes the entire trip significantly easier — especially with a dog in tow. Free private parking is available on site with no reservation needed, which is a practical advantage when you are loading and unloading gear, crates, or food supplies after a long road stretch.
Gujarat's Saurashtra coast is natural road-trip territory, and Dwarka sits on a circuit that rewards planning. From here, Somnath is roughly 235 kilometres south along the coast — an achievable day drive. Porbandar is about 100 kilometres away. The Gir forest region, home to Asiatic lions, is around 160 kilometres from Dwarka. None of these require a flight or an overnight train; they are all connected by manageable highway drives, making Shiv Homestay a realistic anchor point for a longer Saurashtra loop with your dog.
What We Haven't Confirmed Yet
A few details are worth verifying directly before your visit. The number of pets allowed per room is not specified in any available source — if you are travelling with multiple dogs, this is the first thing to confirm. Whether the terrace and balcony are enclosed or open-edged is unknown; check before assuming unsupervised outdoor time is safe for your specific dog. There is no confirmed information about a vet in Varvala or in Dwarka town itself — if you are travelling with a senior dog, a dog on medication, or one with any ongoing health condition, identify the nearest clinic before you leave home rather than searching on arrival. The property website (shivhomestay.com) and the phone number (084900 23291) are your best contacts for any of these questions.
