It’s not surprising that during uncertain times, travelers would want a getaway that instills a sense of calm and stability. Having a pet with you, whether it’s an emotional support animal or not, can help you have the absolute best family vacation. That may be why more travelers than ever before are looking for pet-friendly hotels on the road. In fact, Booking.com has reported more than double the average use of its “dog-friendly” filter in recent months.
Many hotels say they’re pet-friendly, but as you search vacation rental websites and decide between Airbnb vs. a hotel for your vacation, you’ll soon notice that the way each hotel, motel and resort defines “pet-friendly” varies dramatically. Some pet-friendly hotels have weight restrictions, while other dog-friendly hotels require that someone remain in the hotel room with the pooch at all times.
So before you set off on the great American road trip with your furry best friend, it’s important to do your research and be sure you are staying at a truly pet-friendly hotel. You’ll probably see other animals when you book a room at these properties, but there are a few other things you’ll no longer see in hotels. Planning to fly with your pet? Here are the best airlines for pet travel.
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What does “pet-friendly” at a hotel mean?
Simply put, pet-friendly hotels allow your family pet(s) to stay in your room with you. Some dog-friendly hotels may offer extra amenities for your pet, such as food and dishes, water bowls and play areas, and even luxurious pet beds and litter boxes. The exact pet policy will vary by hotel, including some with restrictions on size, weight and the types of pets that are allowed to stay. One hotel trend we’d like to see is more dedicated and unique ways of welcoming all kinds of pets!
Can you leave your dog in a hotel room?
With few exceptions, even the most dog-friendly hotels do not allow you to leave your dog in the room by itself. If you are unable to take your pet with you when you leave your room, you should discuss the situation with the front desk to learn about local doggy-daycare options, or ask if you can leave it alone if confined in a crate or pet carrier.
What do I pack for pet travel?
Pet-friendly hotel chains
Finding pet-friendly hotels you can rely on to provide for your furry family members will help you travel the country without worrying about having to hide Fido or Fluffy. Here are the 15 best pet-friendly hotel chains, taking into account the requirements, fees and amenities offered to your pet during your stay.
Aloft
How committed to being pet-friendly is the stylish Aloft brand? It’s taken the step to trademark its pet program, Arf, which stands for “animals are fun.” Alofts from Minneapolis to Miami recognize that your dogs, from adorable toy dog breeds to larger hounds, are a vital part of your family; that’s why the pet-friendly hotel chain will make your dogs feel as comfortable as human guests. Dogs under 40 pounds are welcome to stay in your room, and when they do, they’ll receive an Aloft-branded bed, food bowl, fun toys and free treats. And most of the dog-friendly Aloft locations don’t even charge a pet fee!
Best Western
At the Best Western Plus in Austin, Texas—and at the more than 1,600 pet-friendly Best Western hotels across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean—you can get away with your pets for a much-needed family vacation. Some of the best pet-friendly hotels in this chain also provide places on-site to walk your dog, as well as doggy waste bags to help you clean up. They may also offer recommendations for pet-friendly parks, stores and restaurants near the hotel.
As you fantasize about staying in one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, consider that Best Western permits you to have up to two dogs, each under 80 pounds, in your guest room. Many Best Western locations will accept cats, birds and other small animals too, but you should verify with the hotel directly before your stay. In some cases though, and at some individual Best Western hotels, you may need to pay an extra $30 per day, with a maximum charge of $150 per week.
Candlewood Suites
The Candlewood in Richmond, Virginia (and at other locations from coast to coast) happily provides extended stays to four-legged members of your family. All pets under 80 pounds are welcome, providing you present proper medical certification showing your fur baby is up-to-date on all its vaccinations, if requested. In addition, your pet must be on a leash at all times when outside your suite.
This pet-friendly hotel chain does charge a nonrefundable fee, however, based on the length of stay. (For six nights, the cost is up to $75; for seven nights or more, the charge can be up to $150.) Of course, if your pet damages the room, you will be responsible for the cost of repairs or extensive cleaning. Even though you may leave your pet alone in the suite, as long as they are in a crate or pet carrier, consider these things you definitely shouldn’t do in a hotel room.
Choice Hotels
In general, the pet policy at Choice Hotels, including at the Cambria Boston Sommerville, permits two dogs per room, though weight restrictions vary by location. A nightly fee ranges from $10 to $75 per pet. In addition, a refundable deposit per pet may be required at check-in. Reach out to the Choice Hotel you are considering to find out their exact policy and price. If you have large dogs and other types of pets, you will need to contact the specific hotel directly for pre-approval. Asking about having your pet with you is OK, but here are things you shouldn’t ask hotel staff.
EconoLodge
From the EconoLodge in Painted Post, New York, to the location in Lenoir City, Tennessee, this is one of the dog-friendly hotels that welcomes a maximum of two pets, up to 50 pounds each, for an additional fee of just $10 per pet, per stay (not per night). Have cats too? They’re welcome at EconoLodge. Furthermore, quiet and well-behaved pets may be left in guest rooms while you’re out exploring the area. Some locations may even provide treats and have a grassy area outside for your pet. Not being pet-friendly may be one sign, but here are additional warning signs you’re staying in a bad hotel.
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
Pets are always welcome at Fairmont properties, even the fancy Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows in Santa Monica, California, meaning that just like their humans, dogs and cats can enjoy pure luxury on vacation. Your four-legged friends will get custom beds, bowls and treats, and you’ll be provided with info on local dog parks and other pet-friendly establishments in the area. Fairmont is one of the dog-friendly chain hotels with the best customer service.
Four Seasons
There is no umbrella pet policy that covers all Four Seasons locations, so you’ll need to inquire with the individual property you’re considering. When a Four Seasons hotel or resort does allow pets, like the Washington, D.C., Four Seasons, it does so with aplomb! You could receive upscale amenities, like a special doggy dining menu, grooming services, complimentary pet supplies or plush pet beds. The Four Seasons property you select might also offer pet-sitting services, and best of all, there is often no charge to have your pet stay in the lap of luxury with you at the Four Seasons.
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Holiday Inn
While not every Holiday Inn location caters to pets, many are considered pet-friendly hotels, like the Holiday Inn in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. You can take your puppers there while you enjoy watching the annual Little League World Series. The locations that do allow pets will have set policies regarding pet fees (generally starting at $10 per night, per pet), the number of pets allowed and any weight limit per animal.
Kimpton Hotels
Kimpton might just be the most pet-friendly hotel chain on this list. Whether your family pet is big or small, furry or feathery, or even if it has scales, it is welcome at all Kimptons, including the stunning Kimpton Monaco in Philadelphia. And there’s never an extra charge to have your fur baby in the room with you. The official Kimpton pet policy is: If your pet fits through the door, it is welcome. Door hangers will alert other hotel guests and staff that your cat, dog or other beloved pet is in the room. Some Kimpton properties even have on-site pets, each bestowed with the title “Director of Pet Relations.” These hard workers greet pet guests and get to sample the free treats the hotel provides.
While on vacation at a Kimpton, your pet will be welcomed by name, and a selection of amenities may be available in your guest room, including plush pet-beds, food, water bowls and mats. The concierge will be happy to point you and your pup toward pet-friendly restaurants, parks, groomers and pet boutiques. Finally, pets are welcome to join the party at select hotels during the nightly wine reception.
La Quinta Inns & Suites
Domestic pets, like cats and dogs, are allowed to stay at most La Quinta locations, like the one in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which permits a maximum of two pets in each room. When staying at La Quinta Inns and Suites with your animal, you’ll be asked to leave a contact number with the front desk and possibly pay a nonrefundable pet fee ($20 per night, with a maximum of $40 per stay, per room). Additionally, your pet(s) must remain within your control at all times, either on a leash or in a carrier if you are outside your room.
Loews Hotels and Resorts
Loews‘s official website urges you to cancel the cat sitter and dog kennel and, instead, bring your pets to stay with you on vacation. Loews’s love for four-legged family members becomes immediately evident at check-in. The hotel brand sets out to treat your pets like their own furry friends by providing treats, bowls and place mats. If you weren’t able to fit other pet supplies into your luggage, Loews has beds, litter boxes, scratching posts, leashes, collars and toys that you can borrow. What’s even better is that your four-legged family members get their own gourmet room-service menu, with pet meals developed by the hotels’ executive chefs. To make sure you hit all the doggy hot spots, dog-walking route maps are available too.
Up to two pets per room are permitted, and you must have up-to-date vaccination records available. Check with the property to learn about any additional cleaning or pet fees that may apply to your stay at these pet-friendly hotels.
Marriott Hotels and Resorts
The more than 1,500 Marriott pet-friendly hotels in the United States, like the beautiful Seattle Marriott Waterfront, offer a range of amenities like bowls, beds and gift boxes to help pet guests feel right at home. The specific pet policies for each Marriott property differ, so contact the hotel directly to discuss the pet fee, if any, and the weight and breed restrictions that may apply. Also ask about potential cleaning fees before booking your room.
Red Roof Inn
Some hotel chains claim to have pet-friendly accommodations, but that may not include certain locations. Not the Red Roof Inn. This chain promises that each and every location will welcome your dog, up to 80 pounds, and most will allow cats too. Need proof? Check out the Red Roof Inn Lancaster, Pennsylvania (near an amusement park and an Amish farm that you can tour!), or any of the other 600-plus locations. Still, it’s a good idea to contact your Red Roof hotel at the time of booking to let them know you’re bringing your furry family members, inquire about their specific policies and ask how they will make your pets feel at home.
Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
All Sheraton locations in North America are pet-friendly hotels, including the Sheraton Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, but the exact policies may vary slightly by property. Some Sheraton dog-friendly hotels may charge a pet fee, but all Sheraton properties require you to sign a waiver in case your dog causes damage to the room. You are allowed to leave your pets alone in the room, but they must be on a leash between the front door of the hotel and your guest room.
StayPineapple Hotels
StayPineapple’s hotels, like the one at The Loop in Chicago, won’t just welcome your dog—they’ll help you plan the perfect trip with your furry BFF. The chain’s helpful and adorable blog provides guests with everything from recommendations for pet-friendly locales to the results of the Pineapple Pup costume contest. With the Pineapple Pup Package, every pooch receives a soft doggy bed, a water bowl, treats and doggie bags at check-in, most of which you can keep when you check out. Plus, each StayPineapple room comes with a stuffed husky named Dash, so your dog doesn’t feel lonely. If you purchase Dash, his “adoption fee” is donated to animal rescue organizations. To help animals even more, find out what animal shelters desperately need right now.
Pet-friendly boutique hotels
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If you prefer staying at unique, independent hotels but still want to bring your fur baby with you, look into any of these pet-friendly boutique hotels, which go above and beyond in accommodating you and your four-legged family members.
The Atlantic Hotel & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The Atlantic Hotel & Spa in Fort Lauderdale offers guests a VID (Very Important Dog) program. As part of the program, each dog gets a welcome bag complete with a reflective collar and wee-wee pads. A “Bark Bite” food menu is also available for dogs at the Florida hotel’s oceanfront restaurant, Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery. Up to two dogs, at a maximum of 50 pounds each, can bunk with you for an additional fee of $150 each, per stay. Sadly, cats are not permitted to enjoy a beach holiday at The Atlantic Hotel. What should you feed your dog regularly? These are the dog food brands veterinarians feed their own pets.
The Bobby, Nashville, Tennessee
This hip, dog-friendly hotel in the heart of downtown Music City has made dogs a priority since opening its doors in 2018. It starts when The Bobby‘s lobby pup, Hairy, greets your four-legged friends at check-in. A stay of any length with your pet will cost just $50 extra per pet, with a maximum of two pets in each room. The Bobby allows your dog to explore the lobby and cafe, but not the fantastic Union Tavern restaurant or The Rooftop Lounge. The hotel will also arrange for bowls and beds to be delivered to your room, if desired, to make your fur baby feel at home in Nashville. The hotel adopted Hairy from the Nashville Humane Society as part of an ongoing program. The Bobby adopts a dog, trains it to be an emotional support animal and then donates the pup to a U.S. veteran in need.
East Bay Suites, Grand Marais, Minnesota
Located on the shores of Lake Superior, East Bay Suites gives you and your pet access to beautiful natural landscapes and views. Dogs receive a personalized collar upon arrival and are invited to attend special social hours with other pups. Plus, the town is so dog-friendly, you’ll have your pick of restaurants that will welcome the two of you. Driving to your pet-friendly hotel? Be sure your car is stocked with everything you need for a road trip with your dog.
The Garland, North Hollywood, California
The Garland gets it and knows that pets are important members of the family. In fact, the hotel’s two resident dogs, Chester and Dexter, will “write” a special note to your dog! The special Paws at The Garland program nets your four-legged friend a complimentary dog toy, dog mat and doggy bowl with bottled water. To up the ante on the puppy pampering, purchase a special box stuffed with a bandanna, a mini flashlight, curated treats from executive chef Larry Greenwood and more. The Garland charges a $75 nonrefundable weekly dog fee and limits you to one dog (up to 40 pounds) per guest room. During your stay, check out the scenic hiking trails with your pooch at Fryman Canyon or Runyon Canyon.
The Jefferson Hotel, Washington, D.C.
The Jefferson Hotel in the nation’s capital is one of the most beautiful and historic hotels in the country. That’s not just opinion, either; the Beaux-Arts-style lodging was named one of the best U.S. hotels of 2018 by U.S. News & World Report. Both you and your furry friend will be treated to absolute luxury during a stay here, as your pup will receive a welcome letter, food bowl, filtered water, tasty treats and a comfy bed. You’ll be provided with dog-walking maps and info on dog-sitting services.
The Roxy Hotel, New York City
New York City’s Roxy Hotel loves pets so much that it worked a private dog park into its floor plan. Its Soho Grand Dog Park was designed by famous landscape designer Rebecca Cole to make your dogs feel right at home. This private garden park features fire-hydrant water stations, bespoke benches just for dogs and a relaxing, zen-like design. And what’s better, you can bring your cats too, with no additional fee! Be sure to follow dog park etiquette when you visit this enclosed courtyard.
Solage, Napa Valley
People and dogs alike get a warm, friendly welcome at Solage in Napa Valley, California. This boutique pet-friendly hotel in wine country will delight dogs—and their human dads and moms—with a personalized welcome card, dog bowls and treats during their luxurious stay. What’s even better is that your pup will love to explore the property’s beautiful 22 acres. For the ultimate amenity found in pet-friendly hotels, book one of the cottage-style suites with outdoor patios for your dog. The pet fee is $100 per stay. Enjoy a meal outside with your pup and learn which human foods are actually good for your dog.
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