Traveling With Your Dog? Here Are 5 Things Pet-Friendly Hotels Wish You Knew

In an age where it’s said that houseplants are the new pets and pets are the new kids, it makes sense that traveling with dogs has been on an uptick in recent years. More and more vacation accommodations — from short-term rentals to large hotel chains and boutiques — have embraced a pet-friendly philosophy, even coming up with amenities specifically geared toward babying your furbaby.

This rising trend has been a game-changer for grateful pet owners, and one that we need to protect through good behavior to ensure that we don’t lose the privilege. But because this is a style of travel that is still on the rise and in development, there isn’t really an established etiquette on how to be a responsible pet parent on the road.

So HuffPost spoke with hotel leadership to find out some of the biggest faux “paws” you’ll want to put a pause on when staying at a pet-friendly property, and myths they were more than ready to bust.

“A one-time, nonrefundable pet fee is standard in the industry,” said James Green III, general manager for Trilith Guesthouse, a popular movie studio-adjacent boutique hotel in Fayetteville, Georgia. “Preparing a room that previously accommodated a pet requires more time and resources to ensure it’s pristine for the next guest,” he explained, especially since the next occupant may have sensitivity to pet dander and hair. This can include pet hair removal, deep cleaning in case of accidents, and potential damage repair, added Olivia Williams, director of culture and guest experience at the Thompson Savannah.

“Depending on the hotel’s policies and required services, this fee typically ranges from $50 to $250,” and is directly applied to additional cleaning protocols, Green added. Plus, it can also include unspoken amenities for your pet, such as at The Bolling Wilson Hotel in Wytheville, Virginia, whose general manager Shannon Roberts-Magenheimer told us includes a pet basket with a doggie bowl, treats, extra sheets, a floor mat and more.

The sliding scale varies by specific property and may even vary by stay, such as at the Forth Hotel in Atlanta, where the rate is reduced for longer stays, making it oftentimes less costly than boarding your dog or hiring a dogsitter. Even better, some hotels even waive the pet fee. For example, all Kimpton hotels welcome dogs at no additional charge, and certain Aloft properties, such as Aloft Greenville Downtown, opt to eat the costs in order to welcome more four-legged guests to their dog-friendly city.

But whatever you do, don’t sneak Sparky in. While it may be tempting, there are important reasons to declare your dog beyond post-stay deep cleaning. For instance, at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, there are designated pet-friendly floors they’ll book you in, “which help us tailor both the guest experience and our housekeeping routines,” said Ryan Sullivan, its director of sales and marketing, as well as assure safety for those guests who may have allergies. This can also include using pet-safe cleaning supplies before their stay. Another safety measure is making sure the staff has the most accurate contact information for you in case of emergency, Green points out, as well as to ensure that in case anything happens, your dog is on their radar.

Plus, not telling the team in advance takes away their opportunity to make your dog feel comfortable right away and excited about their stay. Sullivan said, “Our team lights up when a pup trots through the lobby or a cat peeks out of a carrier. We’ve even been known to write pets’ names on welcome boards or send up a surprise treat just because!”

Obviously, hotel staff gets a kick out of spoiling your pup, but did you know that many provide upgrades and special services for their stay? This can mean anything from having water bowls in the room, a surprise stuffy, or having goodie bags and treats at the ready. For example, at Hotel Clermont in Atlanta, they offer complimentary locally made biscuits at the front desk and winter canine coats on loan at the Kimpton Hotel in Salt Lake City. The Ritz-Carlton Oconee provides a kit with an RC-branded collapsible water bowl, tennis ball, poo bags and more at check-in, while Valhalla Resort Hotel in Helen, Georgia, sets the room up in advance with the same.

Also free: enthusiastic recommendations. At the Kimpton Palomar Philadelphia, these are “curated by our in-house expert and director of pet relations, Theodore — a very distinguished pup with excellent taste,” Sullivan assured us. On a more serious note, he said, “For those needing pet sitting or walking services, we’ve got reliable referrals on hand, plus complimentary access to Wag! Premium during your stay,” which offers discounts on services.

The most dog-friendly properties will even offer add-ons, from special dog menus for room service to entire packages, like the Kimpton Shane Hotel in Atlanta’s Pampered Pooch package, which includes a room with a view, a plush sleep round, a charcuterie board, pet robe, a dog-walking map, and exclusive special offers from local partners, including dog walkers and premium pet food brands.

So always sniff around for extra perks for your dog!

As mentioned, the service schedule of your accommodations is directly impacted by the presence of your bestie, which is why it’s important to not only disclose your dog’s presence, but also temper your expectations for the regularity with which your room will be straightened up. Some hotels have a strict policy of not entering or cleaning rooms when the pet is left unattended. This is for safety — the last thing you want is your dog to run into the hall and amok on the property or to become frightened and injure an unfortunate vacuum-wielder.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the luxury of crisply tucked sheets and fresh towels while vacationing with your pup. “Guests are always welcome to coordinate a specific time with the front desk so they can take their pet out during service — we’re all about flexibility,” Sullivan said. “And if housekeeping is needed while the pet is in the room, we just ask that they’re safely crated so our team can clean comfortably and safely,” he added, because while for most hotels crates are not required for stays, it’s something to consider if you want regular housekeeping without having to be present or having to coordinate with the front desk.

It’s easy to forget pup parent responsibilities when in a high-service vacation mode, but we have to remember that our getaway is in someone else’s backyard and their city ordinances still demand respect.

Generally, outdoor patios or spaces are the most accommodating to pets, but Shaina Ovide, front office manager for Kimpton Palomar South Beach, said, “This can vary by property and local regulations, but generally, pets are not allowed in indoor food service areas, even if it’s counter-serve” due to health codes. Green reminds us, “Only certified service animals are permitted inside certain outlets,” and Nicole Swinson, Aloft Greenville Downtown senior sales manager, added, “Even though a pet might be a service animal, they are traditionally not allowed in gym or pool deck spaces in hotels.”

It’s also frowned upon to allow your dog on the furniture in public spaces, as other guests might be allergic or uncomfortable sharing seating with your buddy.

No matter where in the hotel and town your dog is exploring, it’s also crucial to keep them leashed. Not only does this ensure that your pup doesn’t get lost, but as Roberts-Magenheimer points out, it reduces danger to other guests and their pets as well; just because your pooch is friendly doesn’t mean other guests — two-legged or four — are.

“Additionally, it’s important for owners to clean up after their pets,” Green said. Pet-friendly hotels typically offer amenities like poop stations with free waste bags and are delighted when you make use of them. Scooping the poop ensures cleanliness on the grounds, preserves integrity of the landscaping, and helps to keep the property a haven for all visitors.

While some dogs are suited to a life on the road, others are more comfortable in familiar settings, and it’s ultimately up to the pet parent to know which category their furbaby belongs in. If your dog has feelings that are too big to handle staying calm around other dogs — like when dining outside — or remaining in the room by themselves, be sure to respect that.

A helpful tip Ovide shares is, although “crates or carriers are not required, we do recommend them for pets who feel more secure in enclosed spaces. They can be helpful, especially when pets are adjusting to a new environment like a hotel room.” Crating can help prevent stress- or boredom-induced damage to furniture, curtains, bedding and floors while unsupervised that you might be stuck footing the bill for.

Keeping them in the room alone can also potentially disturb other guests if they’re prone to barking or crying when lonely or stressed, Swinson points out. Sullivan offers this advice: “Bring your go-to pet supplies! We’ve got the essentials covered, but nothing beats their favorite toy or blanket from home to make them feel like the VIP they are.”

No matter what, though, if you’re staying at a dogs-welcome hotel, remember that “We love hosting pets … we aim to make every guest — two-legged or four-legged — feel welcome!” Ovide said. Remember that these guidelines are in place as part of the extra steps they take to ensure your dog’s comfort and safety, and enrich the experience of all so that we can keep this trend of pet-friendly travel going.