Are Hotel Chains Becoming More Pet Friendly? Which Ones Welcome Dogs and Cats.

The Best Hotel Chains for Traveling with Your Furry Friends

If you’re planning a trip and want to bring your dog or cat along, choosing the right hotel is important. Many major chains these days allow pets, but policies vary widely. In this article, I’ll break down some of the most pet-friendly hotel brands and what to expect at each.

Choice Hotels

1. Choice Hotels (which includes brands like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, and EconoLodge) is generally very pet-friendly.
2. Most locations allow up to two pets under 75 pounds each for a fee of $25-$50 per stay.
3. Some hotels have size or breed restrictions, so it’s always smart to check those details ahead of time online.

From my experience working with pet owners for years, Choice has been pretty consistently cool with pooches of all shapes and sizes. The company has strict cleanliness policies too, so you can feel safe your room will be spotless before your fur baby rolls in. Overall, they offer a pretty basic-but-reliable option when Fido needs to hit the road.

Hyatt Hotels

Hyatt tends to be on the more premium end of the pet-friendly spectrum. While individual properties set pet fees, limits, and rules, here are a few generalizations:

– Most allow up to two pets under 30 pounds each for a $100-$250 fee per stay. This fee is usually non-refundable even if your pet doesn’t end up using the room. Yikes!

– Some urban locations have stricter policies or limits due to noise complaints from other guests. Basically,expect fancier city Hyatts to have fewer pet perks.

– Only service animals are permitted at the super high-endbrands like Park Hyatt. But regular Hyatt Place and Hyatt House properties are quite pet-friendly overall.

In summary, Hyatt tends to attract more “pet parents” than rowdy pet owners. That means extra precautions if you want to bring Fido along. But the polished treatment is top-notch if money is no object – and your dog is easily impressed by room service!

Marriott Bonvoy

The king of hotels has basically every brand under the sun – and widely varying pet policies across them. Basically, you’ve gotta do homework based on the specific Marriott property. However, here are a few general Marriott pet pals:

– Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites allow pets nationwide for $100-$250 fees. Both brands offer more amenity-rich suites ideal for four-legged guests.

– Fairfield Inn & Suites also tend to be pet-friendly overall. Most allow up to two pets under 75 pounds for $75-$150 surcharges.

– Some Courtyards do too, but not all. And higher-end Marriott brands usually cap pets at service animals only.

So if consistency is key, focus your Marriott search on the more extended-stay oriented brands. They offer the most reliably pet-perfect policies across different locations in my experience.

La Quinta

Basically, every La Quinta you’ll ever encounter is perfectly content to host your pooch or kitty. All locations gladly welcome one pet under 30 pounds for no added fee beyond normal room rates. No breed or size restrictions apply either.

Now, amenities for pets are more basic. You won’t find pet beds, food & water bowls, waste bags etc provided. But overall, La Quinta sets the bar for sheer pet friendliness and accessibility on a budget. If your dog is chill and low maintenance like yours truly, it’s a slam dunk option. Consistently chill and no weird surcharges – what’s not to love?

Best Western

Much like its cousin La Quinta, every Best Western you’ll find basically has a “pet welcome” sign out front. However, pet policies do vary slightly property to property. Here are the basic tips:

– Pets under 25 lbs are usually A-OK with no extra fees at participating locations.

– Larger dogs may incur slightly higher nightly fees, sometimes capped at 2 pets max.

– A few spots have breed restrictions on “aggressive” dog types, but that’s pretty rare in my experience.

Overall, for basic accommodations without frills or fees, it’s hard to beat Best Western’s widespread pet permissiveness. Just double check each property’s rules before booking to avoid surprises. Easy peasy!

So in summary, when searching for a hospitable hotel brand, think La Quinta or Best Western for zero-fuss pet stays at a fair price. Meanwhile, Hyatt and Marriott tend to offer nicer perks if money is less of concern and your pup is polite. But all deserve consideration based on your individual pup’s needs – does this help give you a starting point?

Additional Tips

A few extra thoughts after sharing those top chains:

1. Regardless of hotel, always call ahead to verify current pet policies. Things may have recently changed.
2. Ask if any rooms have obvious pet stains or smells before booking. Yuck! From my experience, some spots save those for unsuspecting pet parents.
3. Bring proof of current shots, especially if your dog is a large or restricted breed. Laws vary by location.
4. Consider traveling during off-peak times if bringing a dog. Pet restrictions may be looser on slow nights.

But don’t despair if strict policies apply – a lot of hotels make exceptions if you’re nice about it. Like once when I called desperate with a Doberman, the manager basically was like “eh what the heck, just this once”. Everybody likes dogs, right? So being flexible works both ways.

One more tip – if your pup isn’t exactly a chill Zen master, scope out dog-friendly restaurants, parks and activities near your hotel too. That way Fido still gets love without annoying other guests. A tired pup is a happy pup, and happy guests too! It’s all about balance.

Top Hotel Chains That Are Pet-Friendly

Hotel Chain	Pet Fee	Breed Restrictions	Size/Weight Limits
Best Western	$10-25 per night	May have restrictions on “dangerous” breeds	Most allow up to two pets under 50 lbs each
La Quinta	$15-25 per night	None	Up to two pets under 25 lbs each
Motel 6	$10 per night up to 2 pets	None	Up to two pets under 50 lbs each
Red Roof Inn	$10-25 per night	May have restrictions on “dangerous” breeds	Up to two pets under 50 lbs each
Wyndham Hotels	$25-75 per night	Restricts “dangerous” breeds	Up to two pets under 50 lbs each

FAQ

1. Which hotel chains allow pets?

   Mainstream hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt basically let you bring your dog or cat with you for an extra fee. However, they may have size and number limits.

2. Do all locations allow pets?

   Not necessarily. While many places are OK with pets, some hotels have rules against animals due to cleanliness concerns or complaints from other guests. So it’s important to verify the pet policy for the specific hotel where you plan to stay.

3. Is there an extra charge for pets?

   Almost certainly. Hotels add a “pet fee” per animal to cover deep cleaning after your visit. Fees are usually around $25-50 per night. A few posh hotels may charge over $100 since pets can potentially damage luxury rooms. But is it worth it for your furry friend’s comfort?

4. Are there weight limits for dogs?

   Typically, dogs must be under 30 pounds. Sometimes smaller is better since hotels worry big dogs may scare other guests or cause more mess. One hotel I remembered had an awful experience with a Great Dane that destroyed their carpet – yikes! But small dogs often get away with more.

5. What documents do I need to bring?

   Most hotels require pets be current on vaccinations and ask you to show proof, like vaccination records from your vet. Some may want to see an ID tag with your contact info in case precious Fido gets lost. I’d also pack plastic bags just in case – nobody wants to slip on an “surprise” on the floor!

   

6. Where can my pet stay in the room?

   Pets must be kept in your room at all times when not walking them. The lobby and hallways are off limits for Fido. However, some pet-friendly chains allow pets on rooms with balconies as long as they don’t bark excessively. But who can control that, right? Maybe call ahead to verify your options.

7. Are there any pet-friendly hotel rewards?

   Some chains like Best Western actually have rewards programs where you can earn points for stays whether you travel with pets or not. Similarly, Marriott has a Pawfect Service program to earn benefits. I wonder if rewards could cover those pesky pet fees? Probably not, but it doesn’t hurt to ask, I guess.