pet_friendly_hotels
active family travel,  family,  Travel

How To Find a Pet Friendly Hotel #travel

If you plan to travel with your pet, one of the most important things you can do is research a pet friendly hotel from the start. Don’t get stuck. The last thing you want is to set out on a road trip and  find yourself unable to locate a place to stay that allows pets. The bad news is extra fees for pets can be high. The good news is there are many resorts, airlines and hotel chains that now have pet friendly accommodations.

pet_friendly_hotels

You will want to research and find the best hotel for your situation and then book your room in advance to ensure you and your pet have a place to stay. Many pet-friendly hotels only take certain types of pets. Most of them are dog-friendly but some don’t allow certain types of animals so you need to find out the complete pet policy first. Don’t leave this to chance. Your pet is a valued member of your family. If you travel with them, you need to plan and be sure they have a fun time too.

You should call in advance and ask questions about their policy and what accommodations, if any, will be provided for your pet when you stay. Also be sure to ask about any additional fees for having a pet in the room and any restrictions on the type or size of the pet.

[tweetthis]Do you travel with your pet? Here are a few tips. #travel [/tweetthis]

In The USA:

There are some American chains known for offering pet-friendly hotels such as La Quinta, Quality Inn, Best Western, Extended Stay America, Red Roof Inn, Holiday Inn, and Days Inn. There are also specialty or boutique hotels that offer pets. Not all locations have the same rules, however, and there may be extra fees involved so again, this is why planning your trip, or road trip, in advance is so important.

In Canada:

In Canada there are also many resorts and hotel chains that accommodate a pet friendly lifestyle. Some even embrace it now. This is a trend that is starting to be the rule rather than the exception. Thriftlodge and Travelodge have many locations with pet friendly accommodations. There’s even a web site called Bring Fido that can help you to plan and sort through some of the extra fees, and locations of pet friendly resorts, and hotels in each Canadian province. There are a few B and B’s listed there too.

[tweetthis]Extra fees to stay in a hotel with pet friendly policies can range from $15 – $50 a night per pet. #travel[/tweetthis]

Choice Hotels International has a pet friendly policy. Pets are only allowed on ground floors and there can’t be more than two pets per room. The extra fee though is quite affordable at $15 per pet at each of their pet friendly locations. In general across Canada and the USA you can count on a minimum of $15 extra per pet per night. Some of the higher end hotels and resorts, such as some of the individual hotels in the Fairmont chain charge as much as $50 per pet per night.

[tweetthis]Many hotels offer pet friendly accommodations, but you should check the extra fees first. #travel[/tweetthis]

Finding a Pet Friendly Hotel:

If you travel with pets, finding a pet friendly spot to vacation is not as hard as it once was. There are dozens of hotel chains that now have pet friendly accommodations. A quick look at your chosen resort’s web site can provide the information you need. Call if you are concerned or if the policy is not clear. Just check first so you don’t end up with any surprises on the road.

Mom of two beautiful active girls, traveller, fitness junkie, social media consultant, and keeper of the sanity.

22 Comments

  • Jasmine Eclipse

    Pet lodging is so expensive! This is one of the main reasons I haven’t gotten a pet yet, because I travel so much and wouldn’t be around to take care of them. I feel bad for pets that are lodged a lot, it’s unfair to them!

    • Paula

      Jasmine: I know. It really is. Even small pets can cost a bundle to be boarded for a week. Good to see some chains are taking care and letting animals be part of the family travel experience.

  • Terri Beavers

    I had to find a pet friendly hotel for Labor Day weekend. The one I found doesn’t have any other info than Pet Friendly. I see I need to call ahead to see if there are going to be additional fees or what their policy is. Thanks for the info.

  • christy Garrett

    I remember traveling with my two cats when I moved back home in 2005. We didn’t tell the staff that we had them with us. I just left them locked up in the bathroom with the litter box. I have dogs now and they usually stay home when we go somewhere but it is good to know that they could possibly go with us.

  • Melissa Dixon

    I traveled with my dog on an airplane and it was crazy. As soon as I opened the kennel door he ran into the airport and pooped on the floor. I was so embarressed but he was so nervous so I guess I should have expected it.

  • Kathy

    I’ve never traveled with any pets. I actually don’t travel a whole lot either. I do have two cats though. At some point I would love to travel with them.

  • Ann Bacciaglia

    My Sister is planning a trip and would love to take her dogs with her. I will have to share these great tips with her. It can be hard to find a hotel that allows pets.

  • Jasmine

    I don’t have any pets right now but when I had two fur babies I always travelled with them! these are great tips I know first hand that its not always easy to find a hotel that suitable for all your pet needs.

  • AMANDA

    My dog sometimes comes on vacation with us – camping and cottaging. She is so good with it. I find the hardest part is eating on our trips. I can’t leave her in the car and I can’t take her into stores and restaurants. This leads us to eating foods we can grab on the go (with one person running into a store or fast food restaurant while the other walks the dog outside). Occasionally we can luck out with a restaurant that has outdoor seating and will allow my little dog to sit with us.

    • Paula

      Amanda that is a great point that I didn’t even think of really. When my kids were little I felt a bit like that like I can’t leave them to pump gas and run in or grab a pizza from takeout unless one of us is in the van sitting with them and waiting and it was a lot of work dragging them in and out of the van all the time. We did a lot of divide and conquer. I think you are a fantastic pet owner to give that pup so much love and consideration. That is excellent when restaurants accommodate too. I love that I see so many more resorts and hotels making pets a part of the family stay.