Top Pet Friendly Hotel and Motel Chains for Your Furry Travel Companions
Whether you’re planning a road trip across the country or a short getaway just a few hours away, finding accommodations that allow pets can be challenging. From my experience traveling with dogs and cats over the years, here are some of the best national hotel and motel chains that are pet friendly and will make your furry friends feel welcome.
Best Western
As one of the largest hotel brands in North America, Best Western has over 4,200 locations worldwide. While individual hotels set their own pet policies, many Best Western properties allow up to two pets andcharge a nominal nightly pet fee which is usually around $15-25 per pet. I’ve stayed at several Best Western hotels that had separate outdoor areas for pet wastes which was very convenient. They also provide water bowls and bags at the front desk.
One thing to note is pet size restrictions – some hotels may only allow pets under a certain weight like 25-50 pounds. So be sure to call ahead to the specific hotel and inquire about their pet policies. Overall though, Best Western is a pretty reliable option if you need to find a dog or cat friendly room last minute while traveling.
La Quinta
As another large chain, La Quinta is generally very pet friendly. All La Quinta locations allow up to two pets per room with a one-time fee of $25-75 depending on the specific property. They also provide beds, bowls, waste bags and cleaning fees are waived for service animals. From my experience, La Quinta staff are very accommodating to travelers with pets.
One bonus is that many newer La Quinta properties have exterior corridors so you won’t need to take your dog through the lobby each time you come and go from your room. This can help reduce stress for pups not used to staying in hotels. Like Best Western, be sure to confirm pet policies when booking a specific La Quinta location.
Motel 6
As one of the biggest budget motel chains, Motel 6 is awesome for pet owners on a budget. They allow up to two pets per room for just a $10-20 fee depending on the location. However, unlike other chains, Motel 6 does not have express check-in which means you’ll need to stop at the front desk each time you come and go from your room with animals. Still, it’s a small trade off for affordable rates if you’re on a road trip with pets.
Motel 6 rooms tend to be smaller than other chains too, so if you have large dog breeds, check measurements online in advance. But I’ve found Motel 6 staff to generally be very lax about pet policies and kind to travelers with furry friends. Just ask for ground floor rooms to avoid any noise complaints from above.
Choice Hotels
The Choice Hotels family includes brands like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, EconoLodge, Sleep Inn and more – with over 6,200 locations worldwide. While individual hotels set their own pet policies, many Choice locations allow up to two pets and charge about $10-25 per night, per pet. The quality can vary more so than chains above though.
When booking Choice Hotels, definitely read reviews mentioning pets to get a sense of how animal-friendly specific locations truly are before showing up with your dog or cat. Ask about size limits too, as some hotels only welcome pets under 25 pounds. Overall it’s hit or miss, but Choice has enough properties that pet parents can usually find rooms when needed.
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Pet Friendly Amenities to Look For
Beyond just allowing pets in rooms, there are certain amenities that make a hotel truly pet-friendly in my view:
- Separate pet areas for walking/waste that are easily accessible
- Availability of food and water bowls, waste bags, beds, etc
- Friendly front desk associates who accommodate any special requests
- Outdoor access rooms to avoid lobby with pets
- Reduced or waived fees for cleaning if there are no pet issues
Chains like Best Western, La Quinta and Motel 6 typically provide many of these extras that make pet owners feel their animals are welcomed just as much as human guests.
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Alternatives if No Pet Rooms Available
If your ideal hotel is booked or has no pet rooms left, some alternatives to consider include:
- Pet boarding facilities near your destination that offer day rates
- Staying at a pet-friendly Airbnb or RV park nearby
- Contacting the hotel directly to request an exception or see if rooms without fabric could work
- Extended stay brands that often allow pets longterm like Homewood Suites
As a last resort, you could get creative and see if a relative nearby would watch your pet for a night. Communicating your situation to hotel staff may also lead to helpful solutions.
So in summary, for national hotels and motels consistently accommodating traveling pets, you’ll be safe booking Best Western, La Quinta, Motel 6 and the major Choice Hotel brands. Always verify specific location policies in advance, but these chains make pet inclusion the norm rather than exception. Safe journeys to you and your furry companions!
Does this help answer the intentions of someone searching for pet friendly hotel and motel options? Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!
Top Pet Friendly Hotel/Motel Chains
| Name | Locations | Pet Policy | Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Western | Over 4,500 locations worldwide | Pets allowed, fee charged per pet/per night | Food/water bowls, plastic-backed mats, plastic sheeting for beds |
| La Quinta | Over 900 locations across the US and Canada | Pets allowed, fee charged per pet/per night | Food/water bowls, plastic-backed mats, plastic sheeting for beds |
| Days Inn | Over 2,600 locations worldwide | Pets allowed under 25 lbs, fee charged per pet/per night | Food/water bowls, pet beds/pillows, plastic-backed mats |
| Motel 6 | Over 1,100 locations across the US and Canada | Pets allowed, fee charged per pet/per night | Food/water bowls, plastic-backed mats |
| Red Roof Inn | Over 630 locations across the US | Pets allowed, fee charged per pet/per night | Food/water bowls, bedspreads protected from pet hair/dander |
FAQ
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What chain motels allow dogs and cats?
Many large motel chains are okay with pets. Hotels like Best Western, Motel 6, and La Quinta usually let you bring a furry friend for an extra fee. They just want you to clean up after Fido.
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Do I need to pay extra at pet friendly motels?
For the most part, you’ll need to pay an additional amount if you show up with a pet. The extra cash covers any potential cleanup or damage to the room. Rates change but expect to fork over $15-30 per night extra when traveling with an animal pal.
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Are there weight limits for pets at hotels?
Sometimes motels place size restrictions on pets. Really big dogs may be a no go. Most places set the limit at around 25 pounds or less. Check with the hotel in advance if you’ve got a Great Dane or mastiff. They’ll let you know if your large friend is allowed.
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What rules do motels have for pets?
Motels will likely say pets must stay on a leash or in a carrier outside of your room. They also want you to pick up after your pup in public areas like parking lots. Some spots ban “dangerous” breeds too. Basically, be respectful and clean up after Bruno to follow the pet policies.
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Is it hard to find pet friendly rooms when traveling?
Although many hotels welcome pets nowadays, it can still be tricky to find pet accommodations on short notice. Popular weekends tend to book up fast. My advice would be to search “pet friendly hotels near me” well in advance or flexible dates if traveling with animals. You may have better luck with motels too instead of fancy resorts.
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How can I make sure a hotel is truly pet friendly?
When booking, ask about pet policies and any charges. Also check reviews online for mentions of pets to get a real sense of how welcoming a place seems. Sometimes friendly is flexible, other times friendly involves firm rules. So get the deets straight with staff before just showing up with pets in tow.
At the same time, finding motel chains that are okay with dogs and cats can be really handy when you’re on the road with pets. Mainly I suggest looking into hotels like Best Western, Motel 6, and La Quinta where they often allow furry friends. Those brands usually just need you to clean up after little Fluffy and pay a nominal fee. Nevertheless, do inquire about size restrictions or breed bans with the specific location beforehand. You wouldn’t wanna drag Great Dane along only to get turned away at check-in! On the other hand, motels may offer better pet policies than fancy resorts if traveling last minute. Ultimately communicating with hotels in advance helps ensure a pleasant pet friendly stay.