Dog Friendly Hotels

Traveling with Your Dog

Planning a vacation or a cross country trek with your pet? Unless you're lucky enough to own a RV, you're probably going to be staying in a hotel or two along the way.

But what happens when you arrive at the check-in desk with Rover in tow, only to be told "No pets allowed"? This can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare, so it pays to plan ahead and find out where the dog friendly hotels are before you leave the comforts of home.

About Dog Friendly Hotels

Although there are a number of hotels and motels that welcome pets, each one has its own set of rules and regulations governing that stay, so you'll need to check with your intended hotel to get all the details.

Let's take a closer look at some of the basics.

Fees

While many pet friendly hotels do not charge any additional fees for your pet to stay in the room, others do.

There are three basic types of fees you may encounter.

• A per night fee may be charged each night of your stay. If the hotel is charging $10.00 a night for your dog, and you stay for three nights, you'll find an extra $30.00 added to your final bill.
• A per stay fee is one set fee that covers the duration of your stay. This fee may be anywhere from $25.00 and up, depending on the chain.
• A pet deposit is different from the previous types of fees because it is meant to defray the cost of any wear and tear your pet may leave behind. This type of fee might be charged in place of or in conjunction with a stay fee, and may or may not be refundable if no damage is done. It all depends on each hotel's policy.

Size Limits

Many dog friendly hotels impose a limit on the size of dogs they will accept, often limiting accommodations to pets that are no larger than 25-30 pounds. However, there are plenty of exceptions to this rule, and some hotel chains do accept larger pets and place no restrictions on size at all.

Not All Breeds Are Welcome

Some hotels simply will not accept dogs from any breed they deem aggressive. The list may include, but is not limited to:

• Pit Bulls
• Doberman Pinschers
• Rottweilers
• Akitas
• German Shepherds

Various Health Policies

In addition to the previous conditions mentioned, some hotels may require owners to provide either a current health certificate or a vaccination record, and possibly even a veterinary statement that your pet is on a flea and tick control program in order for your pet to become a guest.

Crates

Be aware that hotels may stipulate that pets may not be left alone in the room unless confined to a crate, so be sure to bring one if needed.

Exceptions to the "No Pets" Rule

Service dogs, such as seeing eye dogs, alert dogs for the deaf, and companion dogs for the disabled are generally welcomed by most hotels, even those with an otherwise strict "no pets" policy.

Where You'll Find the Best Welcome Wagons

After learning about the various restrictions and requirements that dog owners face when travelling with their pets, you might be pleased to learn that there are some pet friendly hotels that go out of their way to make dogs and owners feel welcomed. These establishments often offer goody baskets with treats and toys for Fido, as well as pet bedding, food bowls, leashes, and other amenities.

Hotels chains with some of the most liberal dog policies, services, and amenities include:

• Loews - This chain offers a room service menu especially for pets and an in-house pet sitter to keep your dog company while you're out seeing the sights.
• Weston, and W Hotels - Both impose an 80 pound weight limit on pets, but the General Manager has the discretion to lift the ban at will. Luxury pet beds, personalized ID tags, and goody baskets are all provided.

Conclusion

As you can see, traveling with your pet may present a few challenges, but if you're willing to plan ahead, you should be able to locate a number of dog friendly hotels along your route. Just keep in mind that when you and your dog stay at one of these establishments, you are representing us all. Please be responsible and courteous guests to help ensure these establishments remain pet friendly.

External Links

You will find listings for pet friendly hotels at the following websites:

• PetsAllowedHotels.com
• DogFriendly.com helps you find find pet friendly motels, RV parks, B&B's, etc.
• 1-Click Pet Hotels provdes a search by state hotel search.