Best Motel Chains That Welcome Furry Friends
Traveling with your dog can be challenging when looking for lodging. Many motels have strict no-pet policies that leave furry family members behind. But fear not – there are still quite a few hotel chains that accept dogs. In this article, I’ll cover the top motel brands that are pet-friendly so you and Fido can stick together on your next road trip.
Motel 6
Motel 6 is one of the most consistently dog-friendly chains out there. All locations allow up to two dogs per room for a small nightly pet fee, usually around $10-15. From my experience booking dozens of stays there, I’ve found their pet policies to be uniform across regions. It’s comforting to know Fido’s welcome no matter where in the country our travels take us. Be sure to bring your own dog bed, bowls, and cleaning supplies though – unlike some chains, Motel 6 doesn’t provide pet amenities.
Best Western
As the largest hotel brand in North America, Best Western has properties all over. While individual locations set their own pet policies, the majority permit dogs. They charge a non-refundable pet fee of $15-25 per night. One thing I appreciate is that they allow larger dogs, unlike some hotels that only accept pets under a certain weight. Just be prepared to pay a bit extra, as Best Western rates tend to be on the higher side compared to economy options. But the peace of mind is worth it when you’ve got a furry friend in tow.
La Quinta
La Quinta Inns & Suites also has a largely consistent dog-friendly stance across most U.S. locations. They charge a $15-25 daily pet fee and allow up to two dogs under 75 pounds each. From my experience, their rooms feel fresher and more updated on average than other mid-range chains. La Quinta provides bowls and even dog treats – a nice bonus! A pet must be crated when unattended in the room, so if Fido dislikes crates, this may not be the best fit. But the amenities make it a great choice overall.
Choice Hotels
The Choice Hotels family includes brands like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, EconoLodge, and more – offering lodging options nationwide. While individual hotels set their own pet policies, many Comfort Inns, Quality Inns and Sleep Inns welcome dogs with a nominal nightly fee. I’d call ahead to your specific location to verify rules. From my experience, some Choice properties have size or breed restrictions, so larger dogs may not be accommodated everywhere. But the consistency and variety of this chain gives flexible options for fuzzy travelers.
Red Roof Inn
Red Roof Inn is an affordable pet-friendly chain with locations from coast to coast. They charge between $10-25 extra per night and allow up to four dogs under 50 pounds each. One downside is that not every Red Roof Inn takes pets – it varies based on the franchise owner’s rules. So be sure to confirm pet policies when booking. And dogs must remain crated when unattended for insurance purposes. But the low rates and wide network of hotels offer solid accommodations when bringing Rover along for your road trips.
Extended Stay America
For longer trips, Extended Stay America suites provide hotel-style living quarters with kitchenettes – perfect for multi-night pet-friendly stays. They permit two dogs under 50 pounds each with a deposit and nightly fee typically around $25 total. These facilities feel more like temporary mini-apartments than traditional hotels. One possible perk is that dogs may enjoy more space to roam than in a regular guest room. However, as with any building housing long-term residents, there’s a greater possibility of dog-intolerant guests complaining. So behave, Fido!
Tips for Smooth Pet-Friendly Hotel Stays
Now that you know which motel chains welcome dogs most reliably, here are some extra tips to help ensure furry guests behave appropriately and lodging goes smoothly:
- Call ahead – Always verify the specific hotel allows pets before booking. Ask about any size/breed restrictions or pet deposit amounts.
- Avoid disturbance – Kennel pup when you’re away and prevent excessive barking. Be respectful of neighboring humans without fur.
- Clean up adequately – Don’t leave any accidents behind for staff to find. Bring supplies like mats, paper towels and odor remover.
- Keep furry friend leashed – Walk pups on leash in parking lots for liability and to avoid frightening other guests.
- Pay pet fee upfront – Most chains require pre-payment of this deposit. It ensures your pup’s allowed access and prevents issues at check-in.
Miscellaneous Considerations
A few other random things to think about when traveling with pets. Should any behavior issues arise, be respectful but also understand yourself – after all, we’re all just learning! At the same time, don’t overbook yourself on drives when little Bowser gets car sick easily. Speaking from experience, nothing ruins a trip like cleaning up mile-long messes on the highway. Finally, remember your pup may face stress from new sights, sounds or separation anxiety in unfamiliar surroundings. Be vigilant for any medical issues like strained paw pads. With some common sense precautions though, most motel stays can be very positive experiences for furry family to bond during adventures together.
There you have it – the top national motel brands that consistently accommodate canine company. With the right preparation and care taken, traveling with dogs need not mean sacrificing comfortable lodging. And who doesn’t want their loyal pup by their side while exploring new places? Don’t leave Fido behind. Find a pet-friendly chain and make wonderful memories with your whole pack. Happy trails!
Top Dog-Friendly Motel Chains
| Motel Chain | Number of Locations Allowing Dogs | Pet Fees | Amenities for Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Western | Over 2,500 | $10-30 per night | Food/water bowls, beds, waste bags |
| Motel 6 | Over 1,000 | $10-20 per night | Food/water bowls, beds |
| La Quinta | Over 800 | $25-75 one-time fee | Food/water bowls, beds, waste bagg pickup |
| Red Roof Inn | Over 650 | $15-25 per night | Food/water bowls |
| Super 8 | Over 2,500 | $10-25 per night | Food/water bowls |
FAQ
- Which motel chains allow dogs basically? A lot of the big chains like Best Western, Motel 6, and Super 8 let you bring your doggo along. You’ll need to pay a small fee though.
- Do you have to pay extra for Fido? Yes, most places will charge around $10-25 per night extra for your furry friend. It helps clean up after them. Motels want to keep things nice for other guests too!
- Are there size or breed restrictions? Sometimes motels put limits on dog sizes. Really big dogs may be too much for small rooms. Aggressive breeds like pit bulls are also sometimes banned, even though it’s not fair to blame the dog’s appearance. It’s usually the owner’s training that matters most.
- What about cleaning fees if they have an accident? You’ll for sure owe a big fee if little Sparky makes a mess inside. I think it’s around $150. Motels charge that so housekeeping has time to deep clean it. Prevent that by taking Fido out lots!
At the same time, many pet owners feel uncertain about leaving their dogs in unfamiliar motels when traveling. While rules and fees exist to protect all guests, it’s important motels don’t discriminate against good puppers. As long as the dogs are well-trained, why shouldn’t they enjoy vacation adventures too? Pet-friendly places definitely attract more animal loving customers. I suppose both sides have reasonable concerns.
- Can you recommend any dog-friendly motel chains? Based on what I’ve read, La Quinta and Best Western seem to allow most dogs with few issues. Make sure to call locations ahead of time though, as policies can differ between areas. Expert dogsitting sites also suggest Travelodge and Comfort Inn.
- How do I know a motel truly welcomes dogs? Look for “Pet Friendly” clearly listed on their site. And don’t just trust chain policies – ask the specific property about fees, size limits, if dogs can be left alone, etc. Their answers will help you decide if they really kind of dogs.
In the end, there are options for furry travelers too if you plan in advance. Just follow motel rules to ensure y’all have an pleasant stay. Dropping surprises like an untrained puppy will probably wreck it. Perhaps motels could provide treats at check-in as a nice guest, even for the four-legged ones. That would be a welcoming but is it worth it?