Dog Friendly Hotel Review: Voco Leicester
If you're searching for a stylish, well-connected and work-friendly hotel in Leicester, voco Leicester should be top of your list. Perfectly located near the city centre and right next to Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, this modern IHG hotel is designed with the modern professional in mind.
Whether you're visiting for meetings, working remotely, or just need a reliable base between business trips, voco Leicester delivers on comfort, connectivity and convenience. From high-speed Wi‑Fi and spacious work-friendly rooms to great transport links and eco-conscious credentials, it’s one of the best hotels in Leicester for business travellers looking to stay productive in style.
I stayed here with my partner and pup, Scruffy, on a recent visit to the city to visit our brand new Leicester Girl Community Manager, Charly! And TL;DR: I’m absolutely coming back.
Photo Credits: voco Leicester by IHG
City Girl Rating: ★★★★★
Location: voco Leicester, 101 Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 7QS, UK
Room Type: King Standard with a Park View
Average Price: From £79 per night
Pet Fee: £20 per night
Check-in + Check-out Times: 3pm – 11am
Closest Transport Links: Leicester Railway Station (15-minute walk), East Midlands Airport (35-minute drive), easy access to M1
Parking: On-site parking available but you must book in advance, £20 a day
Bonus Points: Sleek modern interiors, work-friendly rooms and bar area with high-speed Wi‑Fi and USB ports, excellent in-house dining, Green Tourism Gold Award, and direct views of the Tigers Stadium
Perfect For: Business trips, working stays, solo travel, city breaks with a side of productivity, and anyone after a professional base in Leicester
Location & Ease for Business Travellers
Ideally positioned next to Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium and just a short 12 minute stroll from Leicester’s city centre, voco Leicester offers seamless access to the region’s key business hubs. Whether you’re commuting via East Midlands Airport, driving in from the M1, or hopping on a train, everything is within easy reach. For business travellers logging in early or meeting late, this convenience is a major bonus.
There’s also Nelson Mandela Park right opposite and the larger Victoria Park nearby, which is perfect for dog walks and running.
Rooms That Mean Business
voco Leicester’s rooms are designed to help you focus as much as they help you unwind. Expect sleek workspaces, free high-speed Wi‑Fi, USB charging points, and blackout curtains for proper rest between deadlines. Premium rooms and suites take things a step further, with features like skyline views, hot tub terraces, and freestanding baths that make the transition from work to wind-down feel effortless.
I stayed in the King Standard with a park view, which had a really cosy King-sized bed, a desk, a rainfall shower and plenty of room to move around. A special mention should go to the soft and beautifully smelling toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner and body wash. It left my hair and skin feeling really soft and smelling delicious.
Dog Friendly Co-Working at The Lair
The in-house restaurant and bar, The Lair, is ideal for both casual working lunches and post-meeting dinner catch-ups. The breakfast buffet caters well to dietary needs, with gluten-free options and a separate toaster for coeliacs—a thoughtful touch that busy professionals will appreciate.
Whether you're grabbing breakfast before a big meeting or settling in for a laptop day, The Lair at voco Leicester offers far more than just a bar and restaurant—it’s a vibrant, spacious hub for eating, drinking and working in comfort.
This ground-floor space is built for flexibility. You’ll find a variety of seating options to suit your working style: long communal tables with plenty of plug sockets for powering through emails, plush sofas perfect for informal meetings, and comfy chairs set against floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium. There’s even a striking atrium staircase and bean bag seating tucked into quiet corners for a more laid-back work vibe.





It’s an ideal spot for remote workers, freelancers and digital nomads who want to stay productive without sacrificing atmosphere. You can sip a locally roasted coffee while finishing off a pitch deck or order a working lunch from the all-day menu and keep the ideas flowing.
Best of all, The Lair is dog-friendly (except the corned-off restaurant), meaning your four-legged work colleague can join you while you work.
Whether you're staying overnight or popping in for a few hours of focused productivity, The Lair blends the energy of a modern co-working lounge with the comforts of a well-designed hotel hangout.
Top Tip: voco Leicester has public wifi. We recommend using NordVPN to keep your laptop protected.
Eating at The Lair
Breakfast
When it comes to food, The Lair delivers just as well as it does on workspace. Breakfast is served buffet-style and caters to all dietary needs with care and intention. You'll find a selection of gluten-free breads and cereals, a variety of plant-based milks, and all the classics you'd expect from a hearty hotel breakfast spread.
For those who like to start the day with something a little more elevated than a traditional fry-up, there's also a thoughtfully crafted brunch menu. Dishes like Eggs Royale, of which I had the gluten free and dairy free version, and thoroughly enjoyed the genorous portion of salmon you’re given. You can also order sweet or savoury pancakes, which looked equally delicious.
Dinner
Dinner at The Lair is just as impressive, offering a relaxed yet refined menu that makes it easy to transition from work mode to wind-down. We started with the Korean chicken wings and the ham hock and pea terrine. The wings leaned more towards a sweet BBQ profile than the typical fiery Korean heat—sticky, satisfying, and generously portioned. The terrine, served with crisp accompaniments, was beautifully balanced and full of flavour.
For mains, my partner tried the classic rump steak, which arrived as a notably generous cut, cooked just right and full of rich, meaty flavour. My choice was the seabass, which had perfectly crisped skin, flaky inside, and paired with new potatoes and tenderstem broccoli. I’d strongly recommend the seabass to anyone dining out at The Lair.
The Lair’s evening atmosphere is warm, stylish and easygoing, making it a great option whether you’re dining solo after a long day, catching up with colleagues, or bringing a client for a more informal dinner setting.
Allergy-Friendly
One of the standout features of dining at voco Leicester is how allergy-aware and inclusive the menu and service are. From breakfast through to dinner, dietary requirements are not just accommodated—they’re clearly understood and well catered for.
At breakfast, there’s a clearly marked selection of gluten-free breads and cereals, plus a range of plant-based milks including oat, almond, and soya. Cross-contamination is taken seriously too, with a separate toaster for gluten-free bread—a detail often overlooked in hotel buffets, but so appreciated for coeliacs or anyone with food sensitivities.
Staff are knowledgeable and happy to help you navigate the menu. Allergen information is readily available, and most dishes can be adapted to suit your needs. Whether you're gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan, you'll find plenty of delicious options to choose from, without feeling like you're compromising.
It’s clear that inclusivity is built into the dining experience at voco Leicester—not just as a tick-box exercise, but as a genuine part of their guest care.
Sustainability & Accessibility
voco Leicester is a Green Tourism Gold Award winner, which means you can rest easy knowing your stay aligns with environmentally responsible practices. Accessibility is also prioritised, with award-winning accessible rooms, wide corridors, and trained staff creating a welcoming environment for all types of travellers.
Why voco Leicester is the perfect hotel to work in
Always connected: Free high-speed Wi‑Fi, work-friendly desks, and USB ports in every room.
Everything on-site: From breakfast meetings to evening drinks, there’s no need to leave the hotel.
Stylish and comfortable: Sleek interiors and quiet rooms set the tone for a productive day.
Sustainable and inclusive: Reflects the values of modern professionals and businesses.
Whether you're in Leicester for a conference, client meeting, or just need a base to work from between train journeys, voco Leicester offers everything today’s working traveller needs. It blends sharp design, flexible facilities, and a calming atmosphere to create more than just a hotel—it’s a space that works as hard as you do.
Reviewed by Pippa Moyle and Scruffy
Disclaimer: This review contains affiliate links.