Top Hotel Chains That Welcome Your Furry Friend
As a frequent traveler with a large dog, finding accommodation that allows pets can be challenging. Whether you’re jetting off on a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, having to leave your faithful canine companion at home just doesn’t feel right. Luckily, there are now several major hotel chains that understand the special bond between humans and their pets. In this article, I’ll outline some of the most popular options and provide insider tips to ensure you and your big buddy are well taken care of during your stay.
Choice Hotels
One of the largest hotel groups in North America, Choice Hotels has a reputation for being very pet-friendly. Brands like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, and EconoLodge allow dogs under 50 pounds for a nominal nightly fee, usually $50 or less. From my experience booking with Choice often, their locations tend to be clean and reasonably priced even in popular vacation areas. An added perk is that many locations provide bowls and beds in rooms for furry visitors. Be wary though that space in the rooms may feel tight with a Great Dane in tow!
Hyatt Hotels
While Hyatt is known for catering to business travelers, they also welcome pets at many locations. Rules vary by property but dogs under 50 pounds are usually accepted for a fee of $100-$150 per stay. High-end brands like Hyatt Regency and Park Hyatt in major cities often have a few pet-friendly rooms available. During check-in, request a room away from elevators if your pup gets noisy at night. Hyatt associates will also provide yard space and waste bags upon request. Overall, Hyatt offers a very relaxing environment for humans and canines alike.
Hilton Hotels
As one of the largest global hotel chains, Hilton has extensive experience hosting pets. Most Hilton Garden Inn, Home2 Suites, and Hampton locations allow one dog under 50 pounds for a $75-150 fee. Be aware though that high-demand properties like full-service Conrad or Waldorf Astoria hotels may limit pets or have much higher fees. Advantages of choosing Hilton include big rooms with separate areas for sleeping and play. Another bonus is that Hilton Honors points can be earned on pet-friendly rooms. Overall, cleanliness and service is consistent across the Hilton brand.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott’s portfolio of thirty hotel brands means finding pet-friendly locations is simple. Most Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites allow dogs under 50 pounds for an average $100 fee. Luxury properties also accept pets yet costs may be $150-250 per night. Services like food/water bowls, waste bags, and extra blankets can be requested upon check-in. From my experience, staff are very accommodating of dogs at Marriott. Earning loyalty points on pet stays is also a major perk. Only caveat is size limitations – don’t bring Great Danes expecting to sneak under the 50 lb cap!
Best Western
- Best Western – Over 4,000 locations worldwide with the bulk of US properties allowing one dog under 50 lbs for $20-50. Really can’t be beat for price and variety of mid-range options in every city.
- La Quinta – Pet-friendly policy is generous at La Quinta Inns & Suites: up to two dogs under 80 lbs allowed for $25-75 fee. Lots of locations near highways for easy drive trips.
- Motel 6 – Budget chain is very pet-friendly with one dog under 50 lbs welcomed free of charge. Basic but clean rooms and friendly front desk staff.
In summary, with over 5,000 hotels collectively, Best Western, La Quinta, and Motel 6 provide excellent budget options nationwide. The chains keep pet policies consistent whether booking in small towns or big cities. A particular pro is the ability to earn rewards points on pet stays at La Quinta and Best Western locations. Overall, a great value for traveling on a dime with a dog in tow.
Tips for Smooth Pet Stays
No matter which hotel you book, following a few best practices will help ensure an incident-free trip with Fido or Fluffy:
- Call ahead to double check pet policy details like fees, size limits, and any paperwork required – saves hassle at check-in.
- Bring vaccination records in case the hotel requires proof like rabies certificate. Most just do visual checks.
- Give your pup some exercise before entering crowded hotel lobbies so they’re calm. Ask for quiet room away from elevator/ice machines.
- Bring own bed, bowls, toys to make them comfortable. Pack plastic bags, wipes, towels to minimze messes.
- Leave name and room number with front desk if taking dog out alone – makes it easier if they dash off!
With a little research on hotel pet policies and coming prepared, your dog can accompany you seamlessly on trips large and small. And who wouldn’t want the unconditional joy, comfort and protection a loyal pup brings while traveling? So pack those bags – you and your best friend will be off on an adventure in no time!
Personal Experiences traveling with Dogs
As someone who hits the road frequently with big ole’ Teddy, a 150 lb Saint Bernard, accommodating him hasn’t always been easy but we’ve made it work thanks to lenient policies at chains like Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt. I remember one whirlwind trip to Seattle during which Teddy got car sick on the flight there – yikes! We holed up at a Comfort Inn near the airport where, thankfully, staff had extra blankets and meds to help the poor guy recover. Another time in New Orleans, he got into some spicy Cajun leftovers in our French Quarter Airbnb – let’s just say the cleanup was intense, to say the least. Hotels make messes way more manageable since they have proper cleaning services. Basically anywhere is dog-friendly if you’re willing to pay some extra bucks and follow the rules. The odd stinky snafu is worth it for the companionship.
Now usually I tried to find dog parks or trails near hotels so Teddy could burn off steam. But one rainy weekend in Austin, he was antsy being cooped up at our Staybridge Suites all day. During a lap around the parking lot, an angry geese chased us – talk about a scene! We barely escaped with our limbs intact. Thankfully the staff had a good sense of humor about the whole chase ordeal. Moral of the story is don’t underestimate hotel surroundings, always supervise playtime closely for everyone’s safety. With diligence though, even the biggest dogs can adjust to transient lodging just fine, making cherished travel memories with their humans along the way.
So in summary, flagging chains like Choice Hotels, Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton are superb options nationwide for accommodating pets of all sizes when hitting the road. Communication upfront and responsible pet parenting on-site helps ensure the relaxation we all seek from getaways. With a little extra effort, man’s best friend truly can be our travel best friend too. Happy trails to you and your furry pal!
Major Hotel Chains that Accept Large Dogs
| Hotel Chain | Fees for Large Dogs | Deposit Required | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton | $50 per night | $100 | Up to 150 lbs |
| Marriott | $50 per night | $150 | Up to 120 lbs |
| Hyatt | $30 per night | $100 | Up to 150 lbs |
| Best Western | $15 per night | $50 | Up to 150 lbs |
| Choice Hotels | $25 per night | $100 | Up to 120 lbs |
FAQ
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Which hotel chains allow big dogs?
Basically, some of the major hotel chains that allow large dog breeds are Best Western, Choice Hotels, La Quinta, Red Roof Inn, and Motel 6. However, policies can vary between locations, so it’s always a good idea to check with the specific hotel before arriving with your furry friend.
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What size dog is considered large?
Most hotels consider dogs over 25 pounds to be large breeds that are subject to pet fees and policies. Dogs around 50 pounds or more are usually what folks have in mind when talking about “big dogs.” But maybe size isn’t everything – certain short-legged dogs might take up more space than their weight suggests!
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Are there weight limits for dogs?
Kinds of. Hotel chains don’t generally have set weight limits, but super huge dogs over 100 pounds might be a no-go at some places. The limit also depends on your pup’s behavior – a calm 90 pound sweetheart is morewelcoming than a 50 pound barker! It’s ideally to check with the hotel in advance rather than find out the hard way that your fur baby is too floofy for their rules.
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What fees do you pay for large dogs?
Most hotels will charge 20 to 40 dollars per night for each dog over 25 pounds. There may also be a non-refundable cleaning fee of 10 to 50 dollars when you check out. Ouch, that’s ruff! But look on the bright side – at least you get to snuggle with your pup instead of leaving them home alone. I guess it’s worth it for the peace of mind.
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Are there pet deposits required?
Sometimes the doggie tariffs don’t stop at nightly fees. A few chains may request a refundable damage deposit ranging from 50 to 200 dollars as extra insurance against fur or accidents left behind. While not ideal, this protects the hotel from potentially expensive cleaning bills if your furkid has an “oops” moment. Maybe ask yourself – is that fair?
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What restrictions apply to dogs in hotels?
Most places require dogs be leashed when roaming outside your room. Some prohibit pets on furniture or beds too. Noise is a no-no – no loud barking! And of course, clean up after your furry friend with scoopers provided. Otherwise you may get docked from your damage deposit. One last restriction: sorry, no puppy parties allowed – only one or two dogs max in most rooms.