[Report] "The Main Character of the Trip Is the Dog"... A Hotel Stay Tailored to Pets' Perspective

Pet-Friendly Hotel by Kyowon Group, "Kinok"
A Hotel Designed from a Dog's Perspective
From "Meongpuccino" to Outdoor Pet Parks
Tailored Services for Pets All Day Long
Will Pet-Friendly Hotels Become a New Growth Engine?

Exterior view of Kinok, a pet-friendly hotel located within the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk.
Photo by Koo Eunmo

"We made the trip from Anyang to Gyeongju, hoping that our dog would truly enjoy the experience," they said.

Toobi, a six-year-old female Maltese, is not like most other dogs-she does not enjoy walks. Whenever she is taken outside, she often just sits down and refuses to move, and when she encounters other dogs, she avoids them and tries to run away rather than greet them. However, she does not insist on staying indoors all the time; she prefers to relieve herself outside and often asks to go out several times a day.

Kim Jeongmin (pseudonym) and their spouse, Toobi's guardians, wanted Toobi to enjoy walks in a more comfortable environment than their neighborhood, so they chose to visit the pet-friendly hotel Kinok. Kim said, "I learned that there was a pet-friendly hotel in Gyeongju and really wanted to visit at least once. Sometimes it is hard to understand what Toobi wants, so I came here for some consultation and to participate in the pet fitness program." Kim added, "The hotel facilities and environment are optimized for pets, so we stayed inside the hotel for two full days. Toobi seemed genuinely at ease, so I think it was a great decision to come here."

A 6-year-old Maltese named Toobi visiting "Kinok" in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province
Photo by Eunmo Koo

From Design to Operations and Services, 'Pet First'

As the pet-owning population surpasses 15 million, demand is growing for spaces where people and their pets can enjoy leisure and relaxation together. Against this backdrop, Kyowon Group's pet-friendly hotel Kinok has celebrated its first anniversary. Kinok opened last August in the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju under the slogan "For a Better Tomorrow in Pet Culture." Unlike conventional pet hotels, which are designed primarily for human guests and then allow pets to accompany them, Kinok was designed from the outset with every space viewed from the perspective of pets. This is its most distinctive feature.

The first impression upon visiting Kinok recently was one of "simplicity" and "comfort." Unlike many luxury hotels that emphasize sophistication or opulence, Kinok's ivory-toned exterior and interior were clean, cozy, and inviting. The sense of comfort was partly due to the low sightlines. As a pet-friendly hotel, most of Kinok's structures are positioned lower than usual, based on the perspective of pets rather than people. There is little visual clutter above eye level, with plenty of open space, making the environment feel less overwhelming. The building itself is only three stories tall, so it does not feel imposing at all.

Pet-friendly hotel 'Kinok' room view.
Photo by Eunmo Koo

Pet-friendly hotel 'Kinok' room view.
Photo by Eunmo Koo

The most striking aspect of the facilities is the guest rooms. The low design tailored to pets' eye level continues throughout the rooms. Pet stairs and eco-friendly, non-slip functional sheets are used for the flooring, so all the furniture, including beds and sofas, is easily accessible for pets. Large windows are fitted with window seats so pets can enjoy the outside view, and wooden blinds-rare in typical hotels-are installed to minimize odors.

The bathrooms are also separated for people and pets. Son Jeonggyu, Deputy General Manager of Kinok, explained, "There are pet bathrooms in the restrooms where pets can have their feet washed or take a shower, and we have installed hooks throughout the property for temporarily securing leashes. Plumbing has been upgraded to pipes two to three times larger than standard to prevent clogging from pet hair, ensuring a comfortable experience for guests with pets. The entire system was built with dogs at the center from the initial design." Subtle details also stand out. To accommodate dogs' sensitive hearing, a light replaces a doorbell, and flicker-free lighting is installed throughout the rooms to protect pets' eyesight. In addition, amenities such as pet towels, bed covers, bowls, treats, potty covers, and deodorizer are all provided separately for pets.

'Kinok' pet-only shower in the guest room.
Photo by Koo Eunmo

'Kinok' pet-only amenities in the room.
Photo by Koo Eunmo

It was impressive to see people and pets sharing meals and special moments in the same space. "Cafe Sniff" is a bakery cafe and restaurant where pets can enjoy time with their owners. It offers dedicated seating for pets as well as exclusive menu items such as "Meongpuccino," "Meongparfait," "Meongchicken," and "Meongpizza," all specially prepared for pets. Deputy General Manager Son explained, "Thanks to regulatory sandbox exemptions, pets are allowed to dine with their owners. When developing recipes, we never use ingredients harmful to pets, such as chocolate or raisins, and we maintain high standards of hygiene and facility operations as a result."

Kinok has also invested heavily in its large outdoor pet park, which covers 8,265 square meters. The park is divided into zones for small dogs, medium and large dogs, and dogs with special needs to ensure safety. There are also shallow water play areas and agility courses, providing a variety of activities. In addition, there are indoor pet parks, a pet kindergarten, and a pet care center, offering a wide range of facilities and services for travelers planning a hotel stay with their pets.

Exterior view of 'Cafe Sniff,' the pet-friendly bakery cafe and restaurant by 'Kinok.' Photo by Eunmo Koo

The Petconomy Is Changing the Hotel Market... Kinok Sees Sharp Increases in Revenue and Visitors in Its First Year

Kinok is quickly establishing itself in the market as a pet-friendly hotel that offers a unique stay experience through spaces designed from a pet's perspective. In the year since its opening, the cumulative number of visiting pets has surpassed 15,000. During the same period, the average daily room rate (ADR) increased by 63% compared to its predecessor, Suite Hotel Gyeongju's 2023 ADR, and food and beverage (F&B) revenue rose by 68%, reflecting a stable growth trajectory.

Kinok Pet Park Exterior [Photo by Gu Eunmo]

Kyowon Group plans to leverage Kinok's differentiated infrastructure and diverse pet content to further enhance satisfaction among both customers and their pets, aiming to secure loyal customers and attract new ones. The company will launch a Kinok membership application in the first half of next year to boost customer loyalty and diversify revenue streams. The membership app will integrate reservation, payment, entry authentication, and rewards functions to improve customer convenience and operational efficiency. A points system will be introduced to encourage repeat visits and convert accumulated points into sales. Additionally, the company plans to diversify its revenue base by linking points partnerships and advertising to create a stable platform-based growth model.

9-year-old Poodle 'Toto' participating in a pet fitness program
Photo by Koo Eunmo

Kinok is also actively pursuing collaborations with government agencies and local governments. It is currently running the "Dog Health Keeper Program" in partnership with Gyeongju City and Gyeongbuk Culture & Tourism Corporation. On the 6th, Kinok hosted the "Gyeongju Pet Travel" program, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Gyeongju City. Heo Taeseong, Head of the Hotel Business Division at Kyowon Group, said, "In February, Gyeongju was selected as a 'pet-friendly tourism city' by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Since various pet-related events are scheduled to be held in Gyeongju, Kinok will actively consider participating in and hosting a range of these events."

Furthermore, with demand for the pet industry continuing to rise, Kinok plans to grow not only as a hotel business but also as a specialized pet brand. Heo added, "We are considering expanding to a second and third Kinok location by selecting suitable sites in the future, and since there are many companies interested in the pet market, we are also open to consignment operations." He also mentioned, "We are thinking about expanding F&B brands like Cafe Sniff."

'Kinok' Signature Room Overview [Photo by Kinok]