Best Hotel Chains That Welcome Dogs – A Guide to Pet-Friendly Hotel Stays

The Top Hotel Chains That Welcome Fido: Your Pooch-Friendly Accommodation Options

Whether you’re traveling across the country or just a few hours away, finding lodging that will allow your furry friend can be challenging. However, there are several major hotel chains with policies in place to accept dogs. In this article, we’ll cover the top brands that are pet-friendly and the specifics of what they offer so you and your canine companion can rest easy on the road.

Marriott Hotels

As one of the largest hotel chains worldwide, Marriott has a wide variety of brands under its umbrella. While pet policies vary between properties, many Marriott hotels do accept dogs. In general, most accept up to two pets under 50 pounds each for a one-time $100 fee or $16-30 daily charge per stay. A few brands, such as Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites, even have locations that are fully pet-friendly and don’t impose weight or number limits.

From my experience traveling with my dog, I find Marriott properties to be consistently reliable when it comes to honoring their pet policies. The staff is usually friendly and knowledgeable about the rules. I’ve also noticed newer properties seem better equipped to accommodate pets versus older locations. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to confirm pet acceptance directly with the hotel in advance.

Hilton Hotels

Most Hilton brands, including Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, and Homewood Suites, welcome dogs under 40 pounds for a $75-150 one-time fee or $10-25 daily charge. Weight and number restrictions may apply at the front desk’s discretion. Properties operated as an independent franchise may have different pet policies from standard corporate locations as well.

I’ve stayed at both corporate and franchised Hilton properties with my smaller dog. The corporate hotels were very consistent in adhering to corporate pet policies, while the franchised ones had more variability between allowing or denying pets altogether. Either way, I advise checking with the hotel directly to ensure your furry friend won’t encounter any surprises upon arrival.

Hyatt Hotels

Hyatt brands like Hyatt House and Hyatt Place usually allow up to two dogs under 25 pounds each for a $150 non-refundable fee. A few even have dedicated pet floors. For dogs over 25 pounds, the fee increases to $250 per stay. However, unlike Marriott and Hilton, Hyatt does not have corporate-wide consistency, meaning policies can differ significantly between locations of the same brand. It’s critical to verify rules with each Hyatt property individually rather than rely on general pet policies.

From my experience traveling with a medium-sized dog, Hyatt was one of the most variable chains in terms of what they actually allowed at check-in versus what was posted online. I’ve had locations deny my dog despite claiming to accept pets on their website. Unless you get written pre-approval, I’d consider Hyatt a riskier choice than other top brands when bringing Fido along.

Extended Stay America

This hotel chain designed for long-term visitors is one of the most openly pet-friendly. All ESA locations across their various brands (Extended Stay America, Extended Stay Deluxe, Studio 6) welcome dogs of any size with no weight limits or fees beyond standard room rates. They also feature amenities like dog beds and bowls in every room.

I’ve put Extended Stay America locations to the test by bringing both my small and rather large dogs on multiple road trips. They were awesomely accommodating both times with no issues at check-in. The staff was friendly and eager to help if we needed anything extra for our fur babies. I can confidently say ESA has been one of the most consistently pet-loving chains in my experience.

Other chains to consider

While many mid-range and budget hotel brands welcome leashed dogs, policies vary widely between properties:

1. Choice Hotels (Quality Inn, Comfort Inn, EconoLodge): Most accept dogs under 50 pounds for a $75-150 fee.
2. Red Roof Inn: Accepts dogs under 50 pounds with no fees, but requires proof of vaccinations.
3. Motel 6: Allows dogs under 30 pounds with no fees at participating locations.
4. La Quinta Inn & Suites: Generally accepts dogs under 25 pounds for $75-150 fee per stay.

It’s also worth checking with national chains like Best Western, Days Inn, Fairfield Inn by Marriott and even resort brands like Embassy Suites for their individual pet policies.

Additional tips when traveling with dogs

No matter which hotel you choose, here are some extra things to keep in mind for a smoother trip:

1. Always call ahead to double check official pet policies and fees rather than assuming website info is accurate.
2. Request a ground floor room near an exit if possible to avoid using elevators or disturbing other guests with dog noises.
3. Bring vaccination records in case the hotel asks for proof your pup is up to date on shots.
4. Consider keeping your dog crated when away from the room so they don’t chance being left alone if you’re late getting back.

With a little extra planning, you can find great lodging accommodations that are pet-approved. Happy trails to you and your furry friend!

I hope this detailed breakdown of major hotel chains and their dog policies has covered all the bases and questions a traveler could have when searching for pooch-friendly stays. Please let me know if any other aspects would be helpful to explore further. Wishing you and Fido many joyful adventures together on the road.

Dogs Friendly Hotel Chains

Hotel Chain	Pet Fees	Cleaning Fees	Additional Information
Hilton	$150 non-refundable	$200	2 dog limit, must be under 50 lbs. Bring bed or crate for dogs.
Hyatt	$50-100 non-refundable	$150	Fitness+ has treat/toy room for dogs while guests work out. Some hotels allow dogs over 50 lbs.
Marriott	$75-150 non-refundable	$100-150	Ground floor rooms preferred. Bonvoy members get free crate rental. Bring poop bags.
Best Western	$20 one-time fee	$100	No breed or weight restrictions. Many properties do not charge pet fees.
Wyndham	$20-100 non-refundable	$100-200	Bring bed, food/water dishes, proof of vaccines. Most hotels allow up to 2 dogs under 40 lbs.

FAQ

1. Which hotel chains basically allow dogs?

   Most of the big hotel brands let you bring your dog. Companies like Marriott, Hilton, Best Western, and Hyatt sometimes charge a small fee for cleaning but will you let you kick back at their hotels with your pup.

2. Do all locations within a hotel chain take dogs?

   While the main policy may be dog-friendly, not every specific hotel property will accept dogs. It’s always best to contact the actual hotel location you’re booking at to double check their pet rules before arriving. Appears some places have size/breed restrictions or maximum number of pets too.

What kind of paperwork is needed?

The hotel will likely want info on your dog like current vaccinations, weight, and maybe even a photo. Otherwise how will the staff know to expect fluffy at check-in? Make sure any required documents are together ahead of time to sort of hassle-free check in process.

3. Are there size limits on dogs allowed?

   Some hotels set limits like dogs must be under 30 pounds but usually the bigger chains don’t have hard size limits listed. Nevertheless, very large dogs could cause issues like not fitting in elevators. Perhaps call ahead about any size restrictions if your pup is on the bigger side.

4. How do I find pet-friendly locations?

   Most hotels allow you to filter search results by “pet friendly” on their websites. Otherwise, you can also check sites like BringFido that list reviews of dog-accommodating places. But is their info always up-to-date? Your best bet may be just contacting the specific property directly to confirm their current pet policy.

   

5. What extra fees should I expect?

   Extra animal fees at hotels typically range from $25-$75 per night. However, there are occasionally some properties that waive the fee. On the other hand, a few high-end resorts may charge upwards of $100 or more. Always inquire about pet fees during booking to avoid surprises later.

6. Do dogs always have to stay in the room?

   While the room is the usual spot for pets, some hotels are more accommodating. A few allow dogs in common areas like lobby or outdoor spaces. Yet other places strictly limit pets to guests’ rooms only. And if puppy causes issues like barking loud, the staff may ask you to leave. I guess it depends on the specific hotel’s rules.

7. What happens if my dog damages the room?

   If furry friend has an accident or creates a mess that requires professional cleaning, you can expect to pay some additional costs beyond the regular pet fee. Supposedly damaged items may also mean you foot the bill for replacements. So it’s a good idea to bring cleanup supplies just in case pup makes a mistake. That way you can try to minimize fees.