Pet Friendly Hotel Chains: Your Pets are Welcome Too

The Best Pet Friendly Hotel Chains for Your Furry Companion

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, taking your pet along can provide comfort and companionship on the road. However, finding accommodation that welcomes both you and your four-legged friend is key. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top hotel chains known for their pet-friendly policies and amenities.

Top Pet Friendly Hotel Chains

1. Best Western – Best Western has long been one of the most pet-friendly hotel chains. Nearly 90% of their hotels in North America allow pets, with no size or breed restrictions in most locations. As an added bonus, they provide dog beds, bowls, waste bags and a pet welcome pack on request.
2. La Quinta – La Quinta hotels welcome dogs under 30lbs for just a small nightly fee and no deposit required. They provide water bowls, waste bags and pet-friendly recommendations in the area. From my experience booking with them, their customer service representatives are also very knowledgeable about individual property pet policies.
3. PetCo Hotel – If you want the gold standard in pet friendliness, look no further than PetCo hotels. Operated in partnership with Best Western, these locations have doggie day camps, pools and play areas. Many have full service grooming salons too. While not as widespread as other chains, the level of oversight and amenities can’t be beat for traveling with pets.

From checking pet restrictions to finding accommodations with the facilities your pet needs, hopefully this gives you a good starting point. Now let’s explore some additional factors to consider when booking a pet-friendly hotel chain.

Amenities That Matter for Pets

Beyond just allowing pets, you’ll want to check what perks help make your furry friend more comfortable. Key things to look for include:

• Outdoor space for walks and potty breaks
• In-room food and water bowls provided
• On-property dog walking or exercise areas
• Dog-friendly rooms away from heavy traffic areas
• Ample waste bag disposal and cleaning stations
• Noise insulation between rooms to block barking

From my experience traveling with dogs, having exercise areas and outdoor access really helps them burn off energy. It also means fewer escape attempts through room doors! Paying attention to how pet-centric a location feels provides reassurance your pet will have a good experience too.

Policies to Note

You’ll also want to investigate potential hotel chain policies regarding:

1. Pet fees (often around $25-75/night) and size/number restrictions
2. Deposit requirements in case of damages (refundable if none occur)
3. Breed restrictions on aggressive or high energy dogs
4. Room cleaning protocols if pets are present
5. Noise curfew hours to be considerate of other guests

Some hotels also have weight limits or don’t allow puppies for hygiene and liability reasons. Double checking policies ahead of time prevents surprises. Reputable chains tend to have standardized, fair approaches across their locations.

Making Reservations

When booking, be sure to specifically request a pet-friendly room to avoid issues. Provide details like your pet’s size, breed, behavior and comfort needs. Ask about any fees not already listed on the website.

Kinda request a room away from high-traffic areas if possible. Front desk staff will try to honor preferences but can’t always guarantee it. Basically I’ve found being friendly and understanding goes a long way with assist staff to work with you.

A doggy day care or sitter option near the hotel is also a good fail-safe if unexpected changes to your itinerary throw off potty and walking schedules. It avoids stressing the pooch… and you! At the same time, confirm cancellation policies just in case plans change and you need to re-book rooms.

With a bit of planning, any of these chains offer smoothing sailing accommodations whether on short trips or longer vacations. Often the extra pet fees are totally worth it for the peace of mind your furkid will be well cared for too. So bring your pup – your hotel shouldn’t be the reason you have to leave them behind.

Case Study: A Real Experience

Here’s a story from my own travels that illustrates how important pet policies can be:

Last year, I had to fly cross-country for a work conference for a week. Not wanting to board my dog Sparky for that long, I booked a pet-friendly hotel near the conference center. Or so I thought!

Upon check-in, the agent informed me that due to recent complaints, they were no longer accepting dogs over 30lbs. Of course Sparky weighs 35lbs! I was stressed trying to find a new place that could accommodate us last minute.

Thankfully, the Best Western down the road had rooms available. They charged a small pet fee but gave Sparky his own cozy bed, food and water. Each morning we went for long walks and played in their pet exercise area. He was worn out and happy each night.

The staff was also very accommodating when I had to extend my trip an extra day due to flight delays. Such a relief compared to how the first hotel put me in a bind! It reminded me to always confirm pet policies directly with hotels before committing.

To avoid stress while traveling, choosing chains dedicated to pet travelers puts your mind at ease. It ensures the whole family, both two-legged and four, have a good time away together. No lesson learned the hard way!

In summary, I hope sharing my experiences and lessons gives helpful pointers for your next pet-friendly hotel stay. Let me know if any other questions come up in planning your trip with your companion. Safe travels!

Pet-Friendly Hotel Chains Comparison

Hotel Chain	Pet Fee	amenities	locations
Best Western	$10-25/night	Food/water bowls, waste bags, guest-controlled AC	Over 4,000 locations worldwide
La Quinta	$20-25/night	Food/water bowls, bed/crib, guest-controlled AC	Over 900 locations in the US and Canada
Motel 6	$10-25/night	Food/water bowls, waste bags	Over 1,100 locations in the US and Canada
Hyatt	$20-150/night	Food/water bowls, bed, guest-controlled AC	Over 900 locations worldwide
Hilton	$50-75/night	Food/water bowls, bed, guest-controlled AC	Over 5,900 properties in 115 countries

FAQ

1. Does your hotel allow pets?

   Most of our hotel chains are pet friendly and welcome dogs and cats. However, there are usually size and quantity limits as well as extra pet fees.

   

2. What are the pet policies?

   Pets are basically allowed but we ask guests to keep them under control. There is normally a non-refundable cleaning fee of $25-50 per stay. Some locations only accept up to two pets per room. And pets must be leashed or carriers when outside the room.

3. Are there pet deposit requirements?

   At times we request a refundable pet deposit to cover any pet damage. But many locations have dropped this requirement in recent years. Perhaps they find most pet owners are responsible.

4. What amenities do you offer for pets?

   While amenities vary by location, most provide bowls, baggy bags and scoopers near the entrance for walking pets. A few even offer doggy daycare and grooming on site. Amazing how they’ve made pets a real “part of the pack” so to speak!

5. Can I request a pet-free room?

   Absolutely, just specify this preference when booking. We’ll do our best to accommodate pet allergies or preferences. At the same time, we cannot guarantee a room will be pet dander-free due to sharing HVAC systems in some locations.

6. Are there any breed or size restrictions?

   For insurance purposes, some suites limit dogs over 75lbs or breeds like Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. But most welcome good dogs under 25lbs. Perhaps exceptions can be made for small toys or certified service animals. It’s best to check rules for your specific destination.

7. “Do you charge extra for pets?”

   We do charge a nominal nightly pet fee ranging from $10-25 to help cover cleaning costs. But is it worth it to keep furry family together? You decide! As the old saying goes, “a dog is not just for Christmas.”