Top 5 Best Hotel Chains That Welcome Dogs

Top Hotel Chains That Welcome Dogs

Traveling with your furry friend can sometimes feel like a challenge when looking for pet-friendly accommodations. However, there are several hotel chains that make bringing your dog along a breeze. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best options for finding hotels that allow dogs across the US and beyond.

Choice Hotels

1. Choice Hotels
2. Hilton
3. Marriott
4. Hyatt
5. Best Western

Choice Hotels, which includes brands like Quality Inn, Comfort Inn, and EconoLodge, has some of the most dog-friendly policies among major chains. Nearly all of their 6,200+ hotels welcome dogs at a fee of $25-75 per night. Some key pros are their flexibility – you can bring dogs of any size or breed with no limits. From my experience traveling with my golden retriever, Choice properties also tend to have nice outdoor areas for taking dogs on walks. One downside is amenities vary more between individual hotels than competitors. Still, Choice is a reliable option almost anywhere in North America.

Hilton

Hilton also ranks highly for pet travelers thanks to brands like Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, and Homewood Suites that welcome dogs nationwide. Fees range from $25-150 depending on the specific hotel. Like Choice, Hilton allows all dog sizes and breeds with no restrictions. An advantage of staying with Hilton is amenities tend to remain more consistent across locations. However, their coverage is not quite as extensive as Choice with “only” about 5,500 pet-friendly properties globally. I’ve found Hilton staff to always be very accommodating whenever traveling with my pup.

Marriott

Marriott’s dog policy is more complex than Choice or Hilton with individual rules varying between brands. Most Courtyard, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn and SpringHill Suites accept dogs under 40 lbs for a $100-150 fee. However, their other top chains like Renaissance or Ritz-Carlton often prohibit pets. One frustration is occasional size limits that exclude large breeds. On the bright side, pet amenities sometimes surpass competitors like dog beds, bandanas and treats at check-in. Based on my stays, Marriott hotels also seemed to consistently lend portable kennels and plastic mats for easy clean-up. Overall, they offer solid options (with some vetting needed) but have less universal coverage than the above two chains.

Hyatt

Hyatt has become much more pet-friendly in recent years with most Andaz, Hyatt House and Hyatt Place locations now accommodating dogs under 30 lbs for $75-150. Their top-tier brands may still prohibit pets at times, similar to Marriott. I found the nightly fee at Hyatt to sometimes be on the pricier side. As an upside, Hyatt has many hotels located within walking distance of green spaces, where you can easily stretch your dog’s legs. Staff are attentive to any pet needs in my experience as well. Overall, Hyatt provides high-quality pet stays but does have rules excluding large breeds at certain properties so research is recommended.

Best Western

Rounding out the major chains, Best Western has nearly all of their 4,200+ locations accepting dogs across North America. Fees generally range from $10-30 per night, making Best Western one of the most affordable pet-friendly options overall. They allow any size breed with very minimal restrictions between properties. From my stays, housekeeping and facilities sometimes showed more wear at Budget Western compared to competitors. However, being able to find a Best Western virtually anywhere for a low dog fee makes it great for roadtrips or last-minute booking needs with an animal in tow. Just have realistic expectations on condition.

In summary, while policies vary slightly, Choice Hotels, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt and Best Western tend to offer the most reliable networks for finding dog accommodations whether traveling for business or pleasure. Hotels like La Quinta, Home2Suites, and Extended Stay America also accept dogs at many locations if the above top brands don’t have availability. All things considered – Choice Hotels and Best Western seem to provide the most flexibility in my opinion and experience. But for consistency of amenities or accommodating large breeds, Hilton or Marriott may have an advantage depending on your needs. Always check hotel policies directly to verify rules for each stay. Happy travels with your furry best friend!

There are also some independent hotels and boutique chains with excellent dog-friendly reputations worth considering if searching outside major brands. For instance, Kimpton Hotels, DogFriendly, and PetStay have earned very positive reviews from pet owners I know. They may have fewer locations than the big names but could be good local options if hitting smaller cities and towns off the beaten path.

In truth, no chain is perfect, and you may still face occasional hiccups bringing Fido along regardless of where you stay. For instance, from my own experience, I once arrived at a Marriott where housekeeping had forgotten to prepare the room for a pet with no food bowls or mat laid out. The manager handled it smoothly and comped my nightly pet fee as an apology. Things like that can happen anywhere due to human error. As long as you communicate pet needs clearly during booking and check-in, most reputable properties will do their best to accommodate. Flexibility and realistically managing expectations go a long way when traveling with pets.

In the end, doing research specific to your dog’s needs and the route of your upcoming trip will serve you well. Weigh factors like brand consistency, room features, locations, size restrictions and nightly pet fees. With a little planning, you can feel totally confident checking “Fido” into one of the best chains for exploring new places together. Happy trails to all furry friends and their humans out there!

Top Hotel Chains for Dogs

Hotel Chain	Dog Fee	Amenities for Dogs	Size Restrictions	Review Summary
PetSmart hotels	$30/night	Dog runs, toys, treats	Up to 100 lbs.	Very dog-friendly environment with specially trained staff.
Best Western	Varies by location	Water bowls, dog beds	Most under 75 lbs.	Inconsistent amenities but many locations welcome dogs.
La Quinta	$20/night	Food/water bowls, paper on request	Most under 75 lbs.	Basic dog amenities and friendly staff but some locatons more hit or miss.
Petvalu Inn	$30/night	Dog runs, pet sitting, treats	No size limits	Focused entirely on pet comfort with trained staff and vets on call.
Red Roof Inn	Varies by location	Food/water bowls	Most under 75 lbs.	Best for a basic stay but amenities vary a lot by location.

FAQ

1. What hotel chains are best for taking dogs?

   Basically, many hotels allow dogs but you’ll want to look for those that are most dog-friendly. Chains like Best Western, La Quinta, and Motel 6 often allow dogs in most rooms at no extra charge.

2. Do pet fees vary by hotel?

   Yes, pet fees can differ quite a bit sort of. Some places charge $10-$30 per night, although a few upscale hotels may charge $50 or more. Others have no pet fee at all, so checking the hotel policy on pets is important before booking.

   

3. Are there hotels that don’t allow dogs at all?

   Kind of surprisingly, while many hotels accept dogs today, some chains still have a no-pets policy. Places like Extended Stay America and Comfort Inn sometimes don’t permit pets due to cleanliness issues. It’s always best to confirm the hotel’s rules ahead of time.

4. What amenities should I look for that are dog-friendly?

   Hotels that welcome dogs are more likely to offer perks like designated pet areas, poop-bag stations, bowls for food and water, and maybe even dog treats at check-in. Pet-friendly hotels also train staff on cleaning rooms properly after furry guests.

5. Does it cost more to bring a dog versus no pet?

   On average, expect to pay $10-30 extra per night for pet fees. However, as researcher Stanley Steamer notes, any damage from pets could cost guests way more. Usually pet rates just cover moderate cleaning, so be on your best behavior Fido!

6. Is it okay to leave my dog alone in the room?

   Most experts agree it’s inhumane to leave dogs by themselves for extended periods daily. Perhaps try doggy daycare, or see if friends can pop in on lunch breaks for walks. The hotel might also not allow solitary confinement of pups all day. What do you think, is that fair?

   

7. What size dog is suitable for staying in hotels?

   Generally, smaller dogs under 25 pounds tend to cause less stress at hotels than big shedding breeds. However, some pet-friendly chains welcome all dog sizes as long as your pooch is well-trained. It really depends on the individual hotel’s rules.

8. Should I tell hotel staff about my dog in advance?

   Alerting the front desk of your furry friend’s arrival is always a good idea. It avoids surprises and allows them to assign you a pet-friendly room in a quiet area away from allergy suffers. Proper notice shows respect and makes the whole stay more relaxing for everyone, two-legged and four-legged guests alike.