How to Find Pet Friendly Hotels in Michigan

Travelers and their pets will find plenty to do in Michigan, from hiking the Upper Peninsula to tumbling down the sand dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Finding pet friendly hotels in Michigan is a snap with a little planning.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Plan your trip to Michigan before your departure. Consider the areas that you'd like to visit and plan out an itinerary so that you'll be able to book rooms in pet friendly hotels before you leave. This will save you time on the road and the unpleasant experience of not being able to find pet friendly accommodations when you need them.
2. Search online for pet friendly hotels in the areas you'd like to visit. Start your search at websites that list pet friendly hotels by state. You may also find individual hotels, bed and breakfasts or other lodging options that have their own website.
3. Call the local tourist office or Chamber of Commerce in the towns which you will be visiting. Some tourist offices have online listings of pet friendly hotels such as the SW Michigan tourism office. You can also gain information about local dog parks, hiking trails, pet supply stores and veterinarians.
4. Check with the hotels which you are interested in to make sure that they still accept pets. Hotels may have changed their policies and you should know the rules and regulations they have regarding pets. Some hotels may have nightly pet fees, deposits or have restrictions on the pets they allow.
5. Decide on the pet friendly hotels that you want to stay in and book your rooms. Let the hotel know that you'll be bringing a pet along and begin preparing your pet for the trip.

Tips & Warnings

• Always check with parks and other attractions to make sure that your pet is welcome. Some parks, like Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, allow pets in certain areas but restrict their presence in others to protect wildlife. Find out where your pet can go and always use a leash if required to keep your pet out of delicate areas and prevent him from chasing or disturbing local wildlife.