A NEW five-star hotel in north Hampshire is definitely cool for cats.

The Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel has been opened by cat lover Lia Davies in the garden of her Pamber Heath family home.

And the business has already got a civic seal of approval as among the first feline residents was Pinkle, who belongs to the Mayor and Mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane Councillor Roger Gardiner and Tricia Gardiner.

Lia’s business is the result of teaming up with the Longcroft Group, which opened its first cat hotel in 2012.

The five-star accommodation offers six immaculately presented suites each with their own bedroom and play area where guests can snuggle into their beds and watch the world go by.

Each suite benefits from thermostatic controls and is sumptuously decorated.

As a Longcroft Group franchisee, Lia said every detail has been meticulously planned with guest welfare, hygiene and luxury all in mind.

Features include wrought-iron designer beds with comfortable pillows and gourmet ‘A La Cat’ menu choices served on bone china, music and expert grooming sessions.

Lia said: “I first saw Longcroft on the Channel 4 programme Compare Your Life and I was absolutely blown away.

“I knew there and then that being part of Longcroft was absolutely right for me – all I had to do was persuade my husband to move house for the larger garden.

“I’m looking forward to meeting like-minded people whose cats matter to them as much as to me.

“Here their precious cats are not just going to be fed, watered and kept safe, but they are also going to be cuddled, pampered and generally spoiled as they would be at home. I am delighted to be able to offer this to the guests and their owners.

“I totally understand how important it is for owners to have a guilt-free break, knowing their cats are receiving a first-class service.”

To give the business a celebratory start, Lia is hosting a grand opening on Sunday between 2pm and 4pm, where Basingstoke and Deane Deputy Mayor Councillor Anne Court will be doing the official opening honours.