How to Find a Dog-Friendly Hotel

Can't bear to take a vacation without your loving pet? It's not hard to find a hotel that will accommodate your needs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Travel Guides
• Dog Leashes

1. Consult pet Web sites. There are quite a few helpful sites that list dog-friendly hotels nationwide, and you can find them by conducting a search at a major search engine like Google or Yahoo.

2. Talk to friends, acquaintances and co-workers who have pets. They may be able to recommend resources for pet-friendly vacations, or perhaps they've traveled to your desired destination with their own pooches.

3. Go to your local bookstore and peruse the travel guides for your destination. You should be able to find a list of hotels that welcome dogs. Also, check with your auto club; AAA's accommodations books indicate whether pets are welcome at hotels.

4. Call the hotel ahead of time to get details. The establishment may only allow certain types of pets, and it may have a limited number of rooms set aside to accommodate them. Inquire about special pet services the hotel may offer, such as dog-walking areas and pet-sitting.

5. In addition to the room charge, be prepared to pay a deposit for the room and a pet fee, which could be as much as $50.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if a hotel doesn't mention that it's pet-friendly, it never hurts to call and ask.
• Observe proper etiquette while vacationing with pets. For example, always keep your dog on a leash in public, and avoid leaving a dog alone in a hotel room.
• Trying to sneak into a hotel with your canine friend could get you kicked out before you even have a chance to settle in.

on 11/22/2005 Always call to confirm that the establishment still accepts dogs. Though the Web sites help, policies do change. And don't forget to bring your dog's favorite chew toy or blanket - it makes his trip a bit less stressful.

on 11/22/2005 Look for hotels that have entrances to rooms from directly outside rather than from a hallway or lobby. This may alleviate disturbing other travelers with your pet and may help your chances in finding a pet-friendly establishment.

on 11/22/2005 Doris Day owns a hotel in Carmel, California, called the Cypress Inn. She has a very pet-friendly policy, and it's a lovely place to stay. Great if you're a fan of your pets, Doris Day or both!

on 11/22/2005 We have some nice hotels that accept dogs and places where you can run your dog. We also have a law that says you must clean up after your dog. Remember to pack some of those doggie plastic bags (& a couple of old towels so you can take 'em to the beach).