We love a good testimonial here at Karma – and this one’s extra special as it comes from one of our much-valued four legged guests. Here’s Samantha the bulldog on her recent adventures at the exceedingly dog-friendly Karma St Martins and across the wider Isles of Scilly…
Karma St. Martin’s – A dog’s review
Samantha the dog here with tips and recommendations for dogs (and humans) going to Karma St. Martin’s.
Getting There
Your human will organise this. We drove to Penzance, used the park & ride, then went on the Scillonian ferry to St Mary’s, then got a smaller boat to St. Martin’s. All you need to do is be a Good Boy/Girl. I recommend lying down on the ferry and having a nap. The smaller boat is really fun!! But you might not think so. Just sit down and be good.
What to Take
My human took all my food with her but you could also buy tinned food from St. Martin’s Stores (order well in advance). Probably the best idea is to get your food delivered straight from wherever your human buys it, to the hotel. The hotel humans will take it in and make sure it gets to your room.
Take wipes, spray, or cream for your paws if you have sensitive skin. My paws got a little sore from the sand.
If you have white bits like me, take doggy sunblock.
The Hotel
Karma St. Martin’s is soooooo dog friendly and all the Karma humans are so so nice. I made so many new friends. When you get to your room, there will be a blanket, bowls (i didn’t need mine because of the kit we’d hired from Rhi), gravy bones and a fancy snack!!
The humans are all friendly and nice, every time I saw a Karma human they said Hello Sammy or Oh don’t you look pretty etc
You can go anywhere on the island, but look out for signs saying you need to be on the lead because of nesting birds (including the beach outside the hotel…although some humans must not be able to read …)
The hotel lobby has water bowls, dog towels, and a selection of sticks for you to play with!!!
Other Dogs
I am a bit of a nervous girl and sometimes I don’t like other dogs. Now I’m going to be honest with you. You will see other dogs on this holiday. There will be dogs on the ferry, on the transfer boats, and in the hotel. But everything is so relaxing, hopefully you will be OK. If I can do it, you can!! The Karma humans will help you feel relaxed, and there is plenty of space for everyone.
Out and About
St. Martin’s is amazing for walking. I am 9 and a bulldog but I still managed to walk almost all the way around the island on our first day. You can even go kayaking or paddleboarding with your human if you like that kind of thing (I do not) – St. Martin’s Watersports on Par Beach hire dog life jackets.
You can go to the pub inside and out, you can go to Little Arthur, and you can go outside at Adam’s Fish & Chips but not inside. You can’t go inside St. Martin’s Stores or the Bakery but the Bakery humans will bring the card payment machine to the door if your human needs to stay outside with you.
If you are a swimming kind of dog – I don’t know, a spaniel or suchlike – you will love the sea!! It is cold but so clean and refreshing. Even I went in up to my tummy!!!
Other islands
I only went to Tresco (and St Mary’s obviously). Tresco is dog friendly, you are even allowed in the Abbey Garden, but you must be on your lead everywhere on Tresco.
Tresco Abbey Garden has red squirrels omg wow!!!! So so exciting.
Here are some pictures of me on this holiday.
If you have any questions from a dog’s view or a human’s view just ask.
If you want to tell me how pretty I am, no need to ask, you can just type it in the comments.
Samantha (and my human Nicola Joyce) xoxo
Ps I am on instagram if you want to follow my adventures
https://www.instagram.com/samantha.the.old.tyme.bulldog
Ps hello to all the lovely friends I made on this holiday xoxo
