Any enclosed interior space within an accommodation that is intended for use by multiple guests and is not part of an individual private guest room. This includes reception areas, lounges, dining rooms, bars, cafes, restaurants, and communal seating areas. Corridors, lifts, and stairwells are not shared guest areas for the purposes of R3 (Shared Indoor Guest Area Access) as they are transit spaces, not areas where guests spend time. It does not include back of house areas, staff only spaces, or private function rooms not open to general guests.
RDFRG-02 · Defined Term 3
Shared Indoor Guest Area
Any enclosed interior space within an accommodation used by multiple guests, such as a lounge, bar, restaurant, or cafe.
Definition
Any enclosed interior space within an accommodation used by multiple guests, such as a lounge, bar, restaurant, or cafe.
Part of the Roch Dog Standard (RDFS-02) · Published by Roch Dog
Shared Indoor Guest Area
Roch Interpretation
The lounge, bar, restaurant, and cafe all qualify. The corridor to get there does not. If the only space on offer is the route between the lift and the room, R3 is not met.
Examples
Compliant
A hotel in Glasgow permits dogs in its ground floor residents' bar, which has fixed seating and is used by guests throughout the day for drinks and snacks.
Not compliant
A boutique hotel in London tells guests with dogs they are welcome to use the entrance hall and corridors but are not permitted in the lounge or any food and beverage area.
Published by Roch Dog
RDFRG-02 · Last updated 17 March 2026