Find The Best Pet-Friendly Hotel Chains & Travel Tips

Regarding traveling and your dog, you have two primary options: Fido can go to a kennel or stay with you. If you’re anything like me, you’d rather take your BFF (Best Furry Friend) with you rather than leave him or her behind. Finding hotels that allow dogs can be a bit of a travel challenge. I’ve compiled a list of the top pet-friendly hotel chains so you and your dog can kick the kennel to the proverbial curb.

7 Pet Travel Tips While In A Hotel

Before you ever leave home, there are a few things you need to know about staying overnight with your pet; even pet-friendly hotels have their requirements, and it’s best to be prepared. The last thing you want is to be turned away because you didn’t read the fine print, and I’ve learned from experience that there can be a lot of fine print about pets in hotels.

1. See if an in-room kennel is required.
2. Bring a door hanger notifying others of your pet; your hotel may not provide one.
3. If you leave your pet alone, turn on the radio/TV so there is some background noise.
4. Don’t leave your pet alone in the room if they continuously bark.
5. Before you leave home, call the hotel to confirm that it is indeed pet-friendly and how many pets it allows.
6. Double-check that the hotel allows for the type of animal you bring and its size. Some do not allow large dogs, have breed restrictions, don’t allow cats, etc.
7. Know your pet’s weight. It could be required at check-in.

Be sure to prepare your pets ahead of time to stay in a hotel. Brush up on leash behavior and any problem issues you may have. This is a very important step. You do not want your pup to make others uncomfortable or fearful of your dog if they pull on the leash or bark a lot at people and other dogs. So, try to ensure Fido is on his best behavior. It’s a good idea to reinforce crate training before you go to cover all your bases.

Always make sure to pick up your dog’s poop when staying in a hotel. This goes for the hotel grounds and any neighboring streets or parks you visit. While some may provide waste bags, having some on hand is always best. Be careful where you toss away the poop bags, too; trash cans near hotel entrances are not the best pick, as this can attract flies and create a stinky situation around the door. try to find a trash can that is away from the building. Most hotels that allow dogs will have a designated trash can for this.

I always check out the hotel room first to ensure there are no hazards or issues, and then take my pups in on a leash. Your pup should remain leashed any time they are outside your room.

Hotel Pet Travel List

You must be prepared for hotel life ahead of time. Your pup is in a new environment, and for them to feel comfortable and behave, you must be ready with all the necessary supplies.

1. Leash
2. Extra collar with updated ID tags
3. Food and water for your stay
4. Food and water bowls
5. Familiar blanket and/or dog bed
6. Toys
7. Vaccination records
8. Pet First Aid Kit
9. Dog crate

The Best Pet-Friendly Hotel Chains: Top Three Picks

Today, pets are more important in our families than ever. Luckily, many big-name hotel chains understand your tight-knit relationship with your BFF and are making it easier than ever for you to travel together. Here are my top three easily accessible favorites:

Top Pick: Kimpton Hotels Review

Kimpton rolls out the red carpet for your pup with their KimptonPets program. They have cozy pet beds for loan, in-room food and water bowls, courtesy bags for walking your dog, door hangers to alert staff and guests that a pet is in your room, and a concierge list of nearby pet-friendly restaurants, shops, parks, etc.

But all those perks aside, our favorite feature is that Kimpton welcomes pets of every size, weight, and breed at no additional cost at every Kimpton location. To top it all off, many locations also have a “Director of Pet Relations” – each hotel’s in-house canine whose sole job is to welcome you and your pet to the hotel.

Runner Up: W Hotels Review

W Hotel’s P.A.W. — Pets Are Welcome — program starts when you enter the hotel’s doors with a doggy welcome packet. This pack includes a pet toy, a treat, a W Hotel pet tag, clean-up bags, and details about pet services. Their courtesy continues when you walk into the room with a custom pet bed, food and water bowls, a “pet in room” door sign, and a special treat at the turn-down. Of course, this can vary by location, so you must check with the specific location you plan to book to see if they have this program.

W’s high level of service does come at a price; the room rate increases by $20 or more with pet residences at some locations. W hotels also charge a $100 non-refundable pet fee. Keep in mind that most W hotels that allow pets only allow one pet per room, and that pet can be no larger than 40 pounds. Be sure to check with the specific location you want to stay at ahead of time to determine if they allow pets and what those fees will be.

Third Place: Hotel Indigo Review

Hotel Indigo is an IGH-owned hotel (FYI: many other brands under their umbrella are pet-friendly, too) that caters to your furry guests with food and water bowls, in-room beds, and enough lush green space outside to accommodate their outdoor needs.

While not every Hotel Indigo is pet friendly, plenty of them are — and of those plenty, there is a sizable selection stateside and out of the country. So, should you decide to travel abroad with your BFF, Hotel Indigo has you covered. Fees and weight limits are set by participating hotels, so be sure to contact the one you’re interested in for specifics before your arrival.

6 Other Pet-Friendly Hotels

While these big-name hotel chains may not cater to your pet’s every whim, they have more locations than the above boutique options and are a little easier on the budget. Hopefully, this makes it easier than ever for you to plan a trip with your pet soon.

1. Choice Hotels Review

Choice Hotels offers more than 3,500 pet-friendly property options across its 22 brands, including, but not limited to, Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Roadway Inn, Econo Lodge, Clarion, WoodSpring Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban extended stay, and the Ascend Hotel collection. These hotels may not offer as many pet amenities, but they are very welcoming and have options for every budget.

2. Marriott Hotels Review

Many Marriott Hotels are pet-friendly—you’ll just need to call the specific location first—and with 3,800 hotels across 18 brands worldwide, there is no shortage of travel destination options. Use your hotel’s WiFi to check local pet-friendly haunts, including shops and parks. Pet-friendly Marriott brands include Westin, Residence Inn, AC Hotels, and Delta Hotels.

3. TownePlace Suites Review

The TownePlace Suites will not disappoint you if you need an extended stay option for your pets. They accept both cats and dogs, and rooms are complete with full kitchens. They have plenty of grass to walk your dog, and waste bags, as well as trash cans, are easily available. TownePlace Suites is a Marriot brand, but it is worth mentioning specifically. The rooms are large, with plenty of room for your pet to find a nice nook to curl up in. The complimentary breakfast is well-run and tasty, and the staff is very welcoming to two and four-legged folk.

My Personal Experience Staying At TownePlace Suites With Pets

I recently had to stay in a hotel for two weeks due to unexpected repairs to my home. After starting out in another hotel, I needed to make a quick switch. TownePlace Suites was able to accommodate my family, as well as all four of our pets (two cats and two dogs), on very short notice. They had no issues at all with the size of my dogs or the number of pets I had. The pet fee was affordable, and the staff was very accommodating, even providing door hangers indicating pets were in the room. The hotel has plenty of amenities, and it really felt like home when we were there.

4. IHG Hotels Review

IHG (International Hotels Group)– owner of brands like Hotel Indigo (a top pick above), Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and Candlewood Suites -understands it’s not always possible (or preferable) to leave your pooch at home. That’s why many of their brands, across the country and the ponds, are pet-friendly.

5. Embassy Suites Review

Embassy Suites by Hilton is one of my favorite pet-friendly hotels. They offer a few more amenities than some but are not as hard on the budget as some luxury brands. They have a high-quality breakfast and a nighttime lounge with complimentary drinks and snacks. Over 100 Embassy Suites by Hilton locations welcome pets, including some international ones. Each location varies, but generally, they accept two pets up to 75 pounds. They charge a fee that is about $25 per pet per right. That fee will max out at $200 per stay.

My Experience Staying At Embassy Suites by Hilton With Pets

I have stayed at Embassy Suites with my dogs several times. It has always been a good experience. They have plenty of room to stay comfortably with your pets, as well as grass areas and waste bags for your pups to take care of business. The welcoming nature for pets, as well as above-average amenities, make this one of my personal top picks.

6. Loews Hotels Reviews

Loews Hotels are a fantastic hotel pick for pet owners. It is one of the few hotels that offers “pet perks.” These include beds, leashes, collars, litter boxes, waste bags, and connections to pet sitters and dog walkers. Loews also has gourmet room service just for cats and dogs. At check-in, all pets are given treats, bowls, and placemats. Loews takes up to two pets per room. It is also among the few hotels requiring vaccinations for all four-legged guests. Currently, they only have 18 locations, but several are in top destinations like Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and Hollywood. Pet fees and specifics vary by location.

What About Best Western Hotels & Resorts? Are They Pet-Friendly?

Best Western is a well-known, budget-friendly hotel and resort chain. Hotels under the BWH Hotels brand include the SureStay brand and some boutique and luxury brands like BW Premier, Sadie, and WorldHotels. Some BWH hotels are pet-friendly, and others are not. It offers over 1,200 pet-friendly locations around the world. Fees, weight, and breed restrictions vary by location. It’s best to check with the specific BW hotel or resort you want to stay in to determine if they allow pets, what kinds, what the pet fees are, and what their specific pet policies are.

Share Your Experience With Dog-Friendly Hotel Chains

Is your dog an experienced travel companion? Have you visited a hotel chain that took good care of you and your pet’s needs? I’d love to hear about your experiences with the best pet-friendly hotels in the comments.

Keeping Your Pup Happy And Safe While Traveling

Traveling with your dog can be a very rewarding experience, but it can also be stressful for your pup. Learn more about how to manage dog travel anxiety, as well as our tips for traveling with dogs in the car. Consider some calming dog treats to keep your pup comfortable. Another area of concern is ensuring your pup has room to walk. Check out my personal review of Sniffspot’s private dog parks, which are a fantastic option to get your dog out and about when you are away from home.

Why Trust Canine Journal?

Danielle is a dog owner with over 30 years of experience. She has raised dogs with special medical needs and traveled far and wide with them. She knows how important it is to find the right place to stay to keep people and pets comfy and safe. Danielle is a professional researcher with a background in education and behavior management. She works with a skilled team to provide Canine Journal readers with the most accurate and helpful information to support happy and healthy pups.