For many pet owners, the family vacation just doesn’t seem complete without the furry family members along for the fun. These dedicated pet parents will be happy to find that traveling with pets in tow is easier these days than ever before. A variety of national hotel and motel chains have pet-friendly accommodations these days, allowing you to bring Fido or Fluffy right along with the rest of the family, sparing the stress of trusting your pets to the care of a sitter, vet, or kennel.
Lodging chains of nearly every category are offering pet-friendly accommodations for travelers and vacationers, from budget motels to upscale hotels offering the finest luxury amenities for their furry guests. However, policies vary on the type and number of pets allowed from one national chain to another, so it’s best to do thorough research before leaving home.
If you’re traveling on a budget, Motel 6 is a safe bet when it comes to pet-friendly lodging. While corporate directives specify one small pet, many of these motels do accept well-mannered larger dogs, as well. The additional fee is typically very low, $10 in many places, $20 in others, with several asking no fee at all, other than being liable for any damage.
Many, but not all, Motel 8s allow a small pet, with a $20 fee and liability for damage. A good number of Econo Lodge Motels also accept pets. Some of these allow two dogs and others have an under 70 pound requirement. There are a few that require a credit card if checking in with pets, thus ensuring that any damages will be paid for.
For a mid-range budget, there are a lot of great options. Many Holiday Inns are pet-friendly, charging typically between $25 and $50 additional for a medium to small sized pet. Some do require a $100 deposit on top of the fee, which will be returned if there is no damage or out of the ordinary cleaning necessary.
Other good mid-range budget options include Days Inn, Best Western, and Sheraton Inn. However, it is important to call ahead to check specifics, as the pet policies of these hotels do differ from city to city.
Many luxury type hotels also accept pets, and some even offer pet amenity packages that rival those for their human guests. The Auberge Resorts, for example, offer such things as an in-room pet bed and a room service menu designed for pets. The Don SeSar Beach Resort and Spa, at St. Pete Beach in Florida, has a special pet package that features pet massage and aromatherapy.
Traveling with pets today has become very popular. This has encouraged the lodging market to respond, offering increased options, ranging from simply allowing pets in rooms right up to luxury suites designed with the traveling pet in mind. With a little time spent in research, you’ll be sure to be able to plan a wonderful travel experience for you and your pet.