Traveling with a furry companion can make any trip better and more rewarding. However, planning a
trip with your pet can be daunting. One area of particular concern to pet parents is finding the right place to stay. Fortunately, this is a simpler endeavor than you might think.
I have
traveled just about everywhere with my dogs, and I have stayed at just about every type of hotel with them. I can say from personal experience that there are plenty of hotels across the country who not only allow pets, but welcome them warmly. Here are my picks, based on pet policies, pet fees, amenities and the quality of my overall experience.
It’s important to note that hotels
only welcome well-behaved pets, and only when they are not prohibited by local law.
Economy-Range Hotels
Motel 6
Motel 6 is one of the most popular and most recognizable motels in the country. You can find one in almost every city, and along every major highway in the U.S. Not only is
Motel 6 a convenient choice for road-weary travelers looking for a quick place to stop -- it’s a great choice for those traveling with pets. Dogs of all sizes size and breeds are welcome at all of the chain’s locations. Motel 6 doesn’t charge a pet fee, and pet parents are welcome to bring multiple pets.
Red Roof Inn
The Red Roof Inn isn’t just a cozy and affordable place to stay. It’s a perfect place to stay with pets. What else would you expect from a hotel whose motto is “You Stay Happy, Pets Stay Free?”
Red Roof even has a cool pet-themed Facebook page -- Red Roof Luvs Pets – that’s dedicated to their four-legged guests. Red Roof Inn’s 345 locations all allow guests to stay with one pet, at no extra charge.
Moderate/Mid Range Hotels
La Quinta Inns & Suites
La Quinta offers travelers a perfect compromise – it offers the high-quality service and luxurious feel of a high-end hotel, at a budget-friendly price.
La Quinta is also very pet friendly; each of the chain’s numerous locations allows guests to bring up to two pets, with no pet fee and no breed or weight restrictions. Well-behaved pets are even allowed to stay alone in the hotel room. I myself have stayed at La Quinta many times, and I have always been impressed. At every location I have been to, the staff was very welcoming to myself and my pets -- there were even pet treats at the front desk.
Candlewood Inn & Suites
In my experience, this hotel has been ideal for extended stays with pets. Each location allows multiple pets, with a weight limit of up to 80 pounds each.
Candlewood does have a pet fee, but it’s reasonable, and works on a sliding scale based on the length of your stay. What this hotel excels at is the little things that pet parents are sure to notice: designated dog relief areas complete with waste disposal bags; a policy that allows well-behaved pets to stay unattended in rooms; and a door magnet that alerts staff that your pet is a guest at the hotel.
Luxury Hotels:
W Hotels
This hotel offers a luxury experience for both people and their pets. Their P.A.W., or Pets Are Welcome Program, features an amazing welcome packet, which includes toys, treats, a specialized W Hotels pet tag, waste bags, and a handy list of pet services offered by the hotel. Each pet friendly room provides guests with a custom pet bed, food and water bowls, and turndown treats for the four-legged set.
W does require a small pet fee of $25, as well as a nonrefundable $100 cleaning fee. However, if you’re pulling out all the stops on your trip, the pet friendly services the hotel provides are really worth the added cost.
W hotels allow one pet per room, and has a 40-pound pet weight limit.
Kimpton
When it comes to pet friendliness, it doesn’t get better than
Kimpton. This hotel company features a variety of boutique hotels, and each one truly rolls out the welcome wagon for furry guests. The company has no breed or weight type restrictions, and nearly any type of pet is welcome – even pot-bellied pigs, as the folks at Kimpton Firesky in Scottsdale told me. Kimpton’s motto says it all: “if your pet fits through the door, we’ll welcome them in.” Don’t have your own pet? No problem! There is a pet fish waiting for each guest in every room.
Loews Hotels
Loews Hotels is all about deluxe treatment for all of its guests – whether they have four legs or just two. The company’s Loews Loves Pets Program provides delightful welcome gifts for pets, including a name tag, a bowl, and tasty treats. The hotel also provides guests with everything from pet beds, to litterboxes, to scratching posts upon request, and offers pet walking and sitting services. When we stay here, my pets and I absolutely love indulging ourselves with treats from the special doggie room service menu, which offers vet-approved items that are nutritious and delicious. It’s wonderful to just relax in the hotel room and enjoy a great meal together, especially during a busy and tiring trip. It should be noted that
Loews only allows two pets per room, and has a minimum pet fee of $25 per stay, with fees varying from hotel to hotel.
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