Zoe's owner appears to be a distant memory.

She is staying at the Dog Relais - Rome's luxury kennels near Fiumicino International Airport.

The “Dog Relais” opened in May in green play areas of approximately 4,500 square metres.

It has 40 dog houses, each with temperature-controlled flooring for both scorching summers and cold winters.

The dogs also get their own 8-square-metre garden for when they feel like chilling out on their own.

Dog Relais is open 24 hours a day and there's a dog shuttle to facilitate drop-off from the terminal making the journey less stressful for owner and dog.

Alessandra Morelli, an HR manager at Fiumicino airport, brings her labrador Nina here.

"Let's say that I decided to get a dog precisely because of the opening of this dog hotel. Since I've been able to bring Nina to this dog hotel, my life, and the balance between my personal and professional life has changed, because it allows me to enjoy my working day and my personal travels in total peace and tranquillity. Knowing that Nina is in this place also gives me a feeling of well-being towards her, so the benefits of this place are manifold for both the dog and the owner," says Morelli.

She was one of the first to sign up to the hotel.

Morelli says: "There are many benefits to this place because, as you can see, the environment is completely customised to the needs of dogs. There are large open spaces and services dedicated to the needs and well-being of dogs. It's a safe place. It's a place totally designed for the needs of our four-legged friends, whether you're away for a day or a longer period. You can even make video calls through an app when you are away, which allowed me to connect emotionally and visually with her when I was on holiday."

Sure to be a favourite feature with the dogs: when owners communicate with their pets via a web-cam, an app allows them to give the dog a treat using a dispenser.

The dog hotel is run by Roberto Tortorella - a dog trainer and nutritionist as well as manager of Dog Relais.

So how does the dog hotel differ from a premium kennel? Tortorella runs through the many services they offer their canine guests.

"As for the extra services we provide here, I can say that we use aromatherapy to help calm dogs, especially in the first few days after check-in. We have a grooming service and a security service, so we are open 24 hours a day, unlike many other facilities, we are open day and night. In addition, some of the premium kennels are equipped with a video call service so that owners who are away can call their dogs and see them, and the dogs can see their owners. They can talk to them and even throw them a treat via their smartphone if they want."

Marilena Blasi, Rome Airport's Chief Commercial Officer, says extensive enquiries were made before the decision to open the dog hotel.

“The project was developed after careful benchmarking of international companies. We looked at similar situations abroad and then decided to implement it in Italy. It is the first hotel for dogs in Italy. It offers you the opportunity to leave your dog before a trip or to take advantage of activities for just one day.”

Blasi says the hotel has had a very successful start.

"This year has gone very well. In August, we reached 100% occupancy for the kennels, and since opening, we have had an average occupancy rate of 60%, which is a very good result for a new business. The costs are affordable: they start at a base rate of £35 per day if you leave your dog here, and you can add additional services such as grooming or aromatherapy, and of course in this case the rates increase depending on the added service."

As well as a web cam allowing you to monitor your dog at all times via the app, music is played in the kennels at night at a frequency of 432 Hz, which is considered effective in calming dogs and creating an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.

Scents such as lavender and peppermint are wafted in through a diffuser and at bedtime as soft night lights glow.

More timid and solitary dogs can be placed in kennels at the edge of the facility, where they can interact with Dog Relais staff rather than other dogs.

The facility welcomes both those who need to leave their dog for several weeks and those who only need it for a single day.

The aim is for every guest to leave with their tail wagging.

Production by Francesco Sportelli

AP video by Isaia Montelione