8 Pet Friendly Hotels for Traveling with Your Furry Friends

Summer will soon be in full-swing and that means it’s time for some well-earned vacation time. For those of us with pets, finding an inclusive and comfortable place to stay with our beloved animals can be a serious challenge. Luckily, hotels are getting wise about the fact that our furry companions are part of the family – which means they’re coming on vacation with us!

Because you wouldn’t dream of leaving Fido or Mr. Socks behind (and plus, boarding and pet-sitting expenses can be preventative for many families), here is a list of our eight favorite pet friendly hotels.

Best Pet Friendly Hotel Chains

Here are some chain hotels that you can find in cities across America that tend to be pet friendly. Always check before making your reservation though, as they may have restrictions or special requirements.

1. Kimpton Hotels

Kimpton, a hotel brand in the IHG family, is a notoriously pet friendly hotel that has beautiful properties in cool cities across America, including The Brice in Savannah, GA; The Muse in New York City; and The Canary in Santa Barbara, CA. Not only do Kimpton hotels almost never charge a pet fee, but they also tend to allow large dogs and even families with multiple pets! The chain has welcomed furry (and scaly and feathered) family members since they were founded in 1981, and they say that your pet is welcome if they’ll fit through the door. Many hotels have restrictions around size and number of animals, so Kimpton’s pet policy is very lenient even when compared with other pet friendly hotels.

Some Kimpton locations will even loan out pet beds, food, water bowls, and mats for their animal guests. If that wasn’t enough, Kimpton Hotels doubles down on their love of pets with many locations employing a “Director of Pet Relations.” At the Kimpton Onyx Hotel in Boston, there are actually two Chihuahuas that fill this position: Bandit, the “Director of Make Fetch Happen” and Bowser, the “Director of Paws & Stay.” In addition to meeting these two celebrities, hotel guests can benefit from a variety of pet friendly hotel amenities, including gourmet dog biscuits and treats from Boston Barkery and use of a scratching post for feline friends.

2. Element Hotels

Element Hotels, a brand in the Marriott family, is a pet friendly hotel chain that has more than 50 locations across the globe and 100 more in the works. More than 30 of their current locations allow pets, many without charging a pet fee.

Dogs up to 40 pounds are typically welcomed, though there may be other weight restrictions at certain locations. Element Hotels also provide a dog bed, food and water bowls, and clean-up supplies for guests.

3. Graduate Hotels

Graduate Hotels is a chain of about 30 boutique pet friendly hotels in cool college cities in the United States and the United Kingdom, like Knoxville, TN and Oxford, UK. The hotel has a standard pet policy that allows for up to two animals weighing as much as 100 pounds each, but there is an associated pet fee of $25 per night. The weight limits and fees sometimes vary among properties, so as always, call to ensure your pet is welcomed with open arms.

Some Graduate Hotel locations really roll out the red carpet for their animal guests. Rumor has it that some of the Graduate Hotel locations, like the ones in Charlottesville and Richmond, VA, will even deliver a Bark Box to the room of their canine guests. The box features themed toys and treats, as well as bones, food and water bowls, and a blanket. Some Graduate Hotels also boast on-site waste stations for puppy potty breaks.

4. Loew’s Hotels

Loew’s is another impressive chain that welcomes four-legged family members with a smile and flourish. Upon arrival, pet guests are provided with treats, bowls, and a placemat. The hotel also offers additional perks like pet beds; toileting tools like litter boxes and litter, scoopers, and doggie bags; and even scratching posts, toys, and leashes and collars. The helpful staff can provide dog walking route maps and connections to pet sitting and pet walking services if you’re going to a less pet-friendly event while you’re on vacation. But perhaps the coolest part of the Loew’s Hotel experience for pets is the gourmet room service menu designed just for cats and dogs by the hotel’s executive chefs.

Loew’s Hotels allow no more than two pets per room and vaccinations must be up to date.

The Best Luxury Pet Friendly Hotels

Sometimes, you want to splurge. At these hotels, you can enjoy all the luxurious amenities – with some additional, pet-focused bonuses to boot.

5. Baker’s Cay Resort in Key Largo

This pet friendly hotel, which is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, ensures that your dog can enjoy all of the fun of a beach resort vacation without any hassle or stress. Like the Kimpton Hotels mentioned above, Baker’s Cay Resort has its own Director of Pet Relations – a smiling Husky named Maya. The hotel allows up to two pets for a $75 per night fee, and the animals must be registered and have up-to-date vaccinations.

Baker’s Cay Resort goes the extra mile to ensure their furry guests enjoy vacation. The resort provides pet tikis where the animals can relax in the shade. Pets are also welcome in some of the dining areas in the resort such as the Calusa Restaurant and Dry Rocks, a taqueria on the waterfront that offers “Yappy Hour” specials. Upon arrival, canine customers are presented with a welcome kit including a resort-branded bandana, collapsible food and water bowls, and a magnet for their hotel room door that reads “Cay-9” (so housekeeping and other staff know the pets are present).

Some additional cleaning fees apply if you stay longer than 5 nights. There is a weight limit of 100 pounds for dogs. Other species of animals are permitted with advance notice.

6. Skyline Lodge

Skyline Lodge, a retro and renovated motor lodge in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, welcomes dogs up to 50 pounds. If you have two pets, they have to weigh 60 pounds collectively, but the friendly front desk staff rarely weighs their pet guests on a scale. The pet fee is $75 a night, and that includes a lot of special touches for your pooch, including a pup cup “espresso shot” upon arrival – really just a cup full of tasty whipped cream. There are also dog beds and food and water bowls in the room, as well as peanut butter and oat dog treats made especially by the in-house chef. The Director of Rooms at the Skyline Lodge has a Husky mix named Nya who is often around to greet pet guests. Sometime soon, furry visitors might even get a chew toy in the shape of the lodge’s mascot, Butler the Bear.

The Skyline Lodge is an especially good fit for families with pets because there is plenty to do in the surrounding area with your animal in tow. The lodge itself features lots of space and beautiful grounds for strolling with your pet, and there are also a variety of pet-friendly hiking trails in the surrounding area.

Best Pet Friendly Hotels on a Budget

Sometimes, you just need a simple place to rest for the night with your pet companion. These pet friendly hotels don’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but your animal is welcome and you can get a good night’s sleep.

7. Red Roof Inn

The Red Roof Inn is a budget-friendly chain of hotels all over the Unites States where your pet is typically welcome. Most locations allow dogs up to 80 pounds and some even welcome families with two pets. There is no fee associated with your pet’s presence, which is an especially nice bonus for those of us who are traveling on a budget.

There are some associated expectations at the Red Roof Inn, though. Pet guests can’t ever be left unattended, even while in the guest room. Plan to take your cat or dog with you everywhere you go, and you’ll also need to take them on a walk when housekeeping arrives if you want service. You also have to make their presence known when you check-in, even though you won’t be paying any additional fees. Some locations only allow a pet up to 40 pounds, and a handful of Red Roof Inns don’t allow pets at all – just be sure to check before you make a reservation.

8. La Quinta

This popular US hotel chain has more than 800 locations across the country, only a few of which don’t allow pets at all. They only welcome dogs and cats (so no scaled or feathered friends), but each room can bring up to two animals with no pet fee. Some La Quinta locations have a weight limit, and like the Red Roof, you are required to check your pet in at the front desk.

Bring Your Pet Along on Your Next Vacation

Your furry friend is part of the family and they deserve a vacation, too. With this comprehensive list of pet friendly hotels and something for every budget and style of traveler, your summer travels will be more complete with your furry friend!