Pet-Friendly Hotels
Hotel Trends
by Chris Rubin
 |
Dogs need pampering, too! |
Pet travel is on the rise in the United States, according to experts in the field. “More and more people want to bring their dogs on vacation with them,” says Susan Hartzler, President of Alpha Dog PR, “instead of missing their beloved four-legged family member.”
“Pet-friendly” is the latest amenity at hotels across the country, but the term can mean different things in different places. It usually refers to dogs, but Hotel Allegra in Chicago and others do allow cats.
“The important thing,” says Hartzler, “is to call the property prior to the trip and find out their parameters, or book through a specialized travel agency which offers customized travel concepts incorporating the family pet.”
It's possible to bring pets along pretty much anywhere in the U.S., from boutiques to chains, from high end to low. Whole towns, including Carmel and Ventura on California’s coast, welcome pets in special parks and on designated beaches. But road trips with Fido usually don’t come cheap: expect to pay $25 or more per night per pet, with additional deposits or cleaning fees ranging up to several hundred dollars per animal.
 |
| Hotel Solamar |
At Hotel Solamar, a Kimpton property in San Diego’s trendy Gaslamp District, you’ll find one of the most reasonable policies around: all pets are accepted, and with no fee. The only thing the hotel requires is a cell phone number for the guest in case of a pet emergency while the owners are away from the property. Bay Area-based Personality Hotels accepts one dog per room and only dogs weighing 40 pounds or less, and does not take Pit Bulls, Rottweilers or any animals that appear aggressive. Guests pay a $25 cleaning fee and are also on the line for up to $250 in additional cleaning costs.
W Hotels has a Pets Are Welcome (PAW) policy. There’s a $25 increase in the room rate for a pet, plus a $100 cleaning fee, but also plenty of pampering, from chew toys to a special bed. La Quinta Resort & Club in California offers an amenity package, which includes a dog bone, travelling tips for vacationing with pets, a resort map with marked doggie relief stations, as well as a take-home travel tote bag with organic pet treats and stainless steel dog tags. Guest room pet perks include an oversized pet bed, pet placemat, stainless steel food and water bowls, biodegradable waste bags, a bottle of disinfectant and deodorizer and pet grooming (upon request). There are no nightly fees, just a flat fee of $50, regardless of the length of the stay.
 |
A Relaxed Canine at The Peninsula Beverly Hills |
The three Peninsula properties in the US all welcome furry friends. At The Peninsula Beverly Hills, canine guests receive monogrammed paw print towels, pet beds, dog menus and dog-walking services. And all Peninsula hotels have ready access to emergency vet care 24 hours a day, which may be the most important pet amenity of all.
PLH111407
|
(Updated: 10/13/10 CT) |
|
For this once-in-a-lifetime experience, we've selected romantic destinations that offer the perfect start for your new life together as a married couple.
Each of these unique escapes is sure to fan the flames of passion with its enticing setting, pampering amenities and enchanting experiences for two.
