How to find and book pet-friendly motels
Finding pet-friendly accommodations while traveling by car with your four-legged friends is an important part of planning your trip. You don't want to arrive late at night in a strange place only to be turned away from the only motel in town because it doesn't accommodate pets.Leaving them in the car overnight is not an option. There are plenty of pet-friendly motels in the U.S. and Canada; it's just a matter of finding one that's right for you. That is easy to do online, or you can refer to a printed directory published by one of the national motel chains and find them over the phone.
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Instructions
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Using Online Directories
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A welcome sight. Map out your itinerary with potential overnight stops, then go online to one of the websites listed in References below.
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Select the state and city of your first overnight stay to bring up a list of pet-friendly motels or pet-friendly motel chains represented there. Repeat as necessary for subsequent way points now or while on the road.
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Select a motel, then check it online or contact it directly to ascertain what size and type of pets it allows and how much extra you will have to pay to have your pets stay with you.
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Make your reservation when ready.
Going Directly to a Motel Website
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Traveler's friend. Select your preferred motel chain (see Resources) and go directly to its reservation website.
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Input the city where you will be stopping overnight, dates, type of room and amenities desired, and hit "Submit" for a rate quote.
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Check under the "Services" tab on the motel's home page to see if it is pet-friendly and what its pet policy is.
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Make your reservation.
By Phone
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Phone ahead for Fido. Obtain a printed directory of any of the large national motel chains from one of its member properties located in your vicinity.
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Find the list of motels by state and city. Choose a property after verifying that they offer pet-friendly accommodations.
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Contact the motel by phone to find out their pet fees and policy and to make your reservation.
Checking In
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Made it! Inform the motel clerk that you have pets with you, so she can set up your invoice accordingly.
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Ask if the motel has a designated outside pet area and where it is located.
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Ask for a conveniently located room. A first-floor location close to the outside pet area will make it easier to exit and enter with your pets.
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Tips & Warnings
You may be given a room that's been used previously by guests with pets. Be sure to bring any damage in the room to management's attention when you first see it, to avoid being made responsible for someone else's carelessness.
Online reservations systems often do not let you indicate that you will be bringing pets with you. Be up front with the desk clerk that you have pets along when checking in. If the motel finds out after the fact, it may add a hefty penalty to the normal pet charge on your bill.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit motel image by Linda Henn from Fotolia.com sign. dogs welcome sign image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com young woman making an online purchase image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com getting in touch image by leafy from Fotolia.com luggage in hotel room image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
