These days we mostly stay in Airbnbs, but we also find hotels to be safe, convenient options when taking a trip with your dog. Fortunately many hotel chains and boutique hotels are dog-friendly, though there are a few things we recommend keeping in mind.
Note: even if a hotel chain is dog-friendly, each individual property typically makes its own pet policy. We recommend calling or double checking the specific property’s policy before booking.
- What is your budget?
- How much does your dog weigh?
- How many dogs are you traveling with?
- Are you looking for any particular amenities or dog-friendly experiences at the hotel specifically?
- Tips for a great dog-friendly hotel experience
- Our size-inclusive dog-friendly hotel pick: Kimpton
- Dog-friendly alternatives to hotels
What is your budget?
On top of normal rates, fees, and taxes, many hotels charge additional fees for pets. The two we see most often are a per night per dog fee or a one-time cleaning fee. If you travel with more than one dog or plan on staying several nights, this can add up fast!
How much does your dog weigh?
A lot of hotel chains have weight restrictions. For example, Aloft Hotels (part of the Marriott family) allows dogs, but only up to 40 pounds.
On the other hand, Red Roof Inn generally allows one pet up to 80 pounds to stay free of charge at their Red Roof Inn and Red Roof PLUS+ locations. (Their policy on other properties such as The Red Collection and HomeTowne Studios differs.)
How many dogs are you traveling with?
This one is related to the last question since some hotels have a one pet per room cap. Others have a combined weight limit if bringing more than one dog.
For example, many Best Western hotels allow up to two dogs per hotel room with a maximum size of 80 pounds per dog. (As we mentioned at the beginning – check with the specific property as generally there is not a blanket policy for hotel chains or brands!)
Are you looking for any particular amenities or dog-friendly experiences at the hotel specifically?
Are you looking for amenities such as on-site pet walking, toys and treats, or pet-specific room service? If so, your list of options will probably narrow (and your budget may increase!). Most major chains and brands will allow your dog but without any extra frills.
If you’re traveling I-80 and want to squeeze a luxury dog-friendly hotel trip, we recommend hopping off in Park City for a night or two. The St. Regis Deer Valley and the Montage Deer Valley are both dog-friendly options and just a 15-minute detour from the interstate.
Tips for a great dog-friendly hotel experience
- Let the front desk know that you’ve brought a dog. (For many hotels, this is required.)
- Double check if pets are allowed to be unattended, and what their guidelines are if they do permit it.
- You may want to consider skipping housekeeping. (Many hotels won’t clean your room if pets are unattended.)
- Speaking of housekeeping: make sure to tip well, as most dogs leave behind fur and dander to contend with!
- Bring an extra top sheet or two. If your dog is used to sleeping in bed with you, it can be hard to keep them off the bed. We typically pack a top sheet or two so that if our dog hops on the bed, we can lay down a sheet ahead of time to keep fur and dirt off the duvet.
- If you’re coming from a day outdoors or if your dog hasn’t recently been bathed, consider taking your dog to a local self-service dog wash before checking in.
- Keep your dog leashed (even if it’s not specified). Be respectful of other hotel guests who may not want to interact with your dog.
- Always clean up your dog’s poop outside and dispose of it properly.
Our size-inclusive dog-friendly hotel pick: Kimpton
We’re big fans of Kimptons all around, but especially for their pet policies:
- No additional charge for pets
- No deposit required
- No limit on the number of pets
- No size or weight limit
They also offer extra amenities like dog-friendly concierge and loaner bowls and beds, plus their nightly wine reception is pet-friendly. You can find all the details here (https://www.ihg.com/kimptonhotels/content/us/en/promos/pet-friendly-hotels).
The one caveat is that Kimpton rates can vary greatly depending on the location, but we love that there aren’t additional fees or “pet tax.” (Plus, in our experience, Kimptons are very nice and offer an upscale experience!) On the downside, Kimpton only has 71 hotels in 66 cities worldwide at the time of this writing, so you’re not going to find them as an interstate rest stop option. Instead they tend to be more central to major metro areas.
Dog-friendly alternatives to hotels
If you are traveling with three or more dogs, your dog exceeds 80 pounds and/or there isn’t a Kimpton where you’re heading, our pick is generally to find an Airbnb. (That’s also a process, since every Airbnb property sets its own rules and there’s not a filter for pet size or quantity.)
It may also be worth calling a hotel that is generally dog-friendly and explaining the situation to see if they’d be willing to make an exception.
Do you have any recommendations for great dog-friendly hotel experiences?
