For many dog owners, their furry friends are like family and they wouldn't conceive of traveling without them.
“Many dog lovers are reluctant to travel because it means leaving their dog in a kennel, or because they can't find a suitable pet sitter,” notes Wendy Lyons Sunshine, author of “Tender Paws: How Science-Based Parenting Can Transform Our Relationship with Dogs.” “If they can bring a cherished canine family member along, it becomes easier for dog lovers to travel.”
That special bond with pets is not lost among the hospitality industry.
Parker Harvey, Room Division Director at The Don CeSar at St. Pete Beach, Fla., said that as luxury travel evolves, pet inclusivity has become a top priority.
“Allowing dogs enhances guest satisfaction, loyalty and expands our appeal to today’s experience-driven traveler,” Harvey said.
Hima Duggirala, Marketing Director for Mayfair House Hotel and Garden in Miami, said market demand drives the decision to become a pet-friendly hotel. She noted that 88% of dog owners traveled with their pets in 2024, according to the American Pet Products Association, and that drives hotels to “cater to this demographic to increase bookings.”
Pet Policies
Most hotels charge extra for dogs, factoring in specialized cleaning or potential damages. Some have breed or behavior restrictions. At Orlando’s Rosen Shingle Creek, dogs must be current on vaccinations, while at Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, guests must sign a pet policy agreement to ensure accountability for damages or disturbances.
But some hotels – such as the Riviera Resort and Spa Palm Springs and Hotel Van Zandt Austin – do not charge extra for dogs.
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego allows dogs in outdoor areas frequented by humans and Hotel Van Zandt puts out the welcome mat for pets at its eateries and outdoor patio where live music is performed. Other hotels restrict where dogs can go due to health code regulations – no dogs except service dogs – are allowed in public areas unless they are passing through and on a leash.
Hotel Teams Training on Pet Policies
At Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, front office and room teams as well as housekeeping, engineering and maintenance teams are trained on pet policies, handling pet-related issues and interacting with pet owners.
At Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Jeannine Barry, Director of Rooms, says "you have to establish great relations with your team. The bellman assists in showing where the relieve station is located and provide any treats. Housekeeping helps ensure all the hair is removed prior to the next guest. The front desk staff greets our furry friends upon arrival. Loss prevention handles any situation where a dog is making too much noise for other guests.”
Hotels address challenges through rigorous cleaning protocols, strategic room placements and clear pet etiquette.
Safety and liability entail managing potential accidents or aggressive animals.
“It is best if common spaces and hallways enable people to see who is coming around a corner, perhaps with a mirror or enough space to make a quick U-turn,” Sunshine noted. “If a hallway has a strategically placed piece of furniture, screen or large potted plant that offers a visual barrier or ‘escape’ area where people walking, reactive dogs can avoid unwanted proximity while in transit.”
“When dogs feel comfortable and safe, they are less prone to unwanted behaviors such as nervous peeing or fear-based barking,” Sunshine said.
Typical amenities include treats, dog beds, food and water bowls, luxury dog robes, waste bags and a dog-themed door hangar.
Many hotels offer a list of nearby pet stores, dog parks, pet sitting, dog walking, groomers, nearby pet-friendly restaurants and 24/7 vets.
Some hotels offer branded items such as chew toys, mats and bandanas. Mayfair House Hotel & Garden is listed on the BringFido app, boosting its visibility.
Hotels Offer Dog-Friendly Activities
Many hotels offer activities geared toward dogs, such as Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s Dog Days of Summer, a full week of dog-focused fun every August leading up to National Dog Day. Activities include Yappy Hours (drinks for dogs and humans) and spa treatments like ‘pawdicures.’
Fairmont Washington D.C., Georgetown hosts an annual ‘Howl-O-Ween for Doggies,’ while couples can include their dog in wedding ceremonies.
“We have had them dressed up in a tux, pulled in a wagon down the aisle, their faces on custom cocktail napkins and figurines of them on cakes,” said Diana K. Bulger, Area Director of Public Relations.
Guests can dine in the courtyard or loggia with their canine companions, whose three menu choices involve chicken, beef and salmon served with an ice-cold bowl of water. Canines can end the meal with a peanut butter cake pup.
Courtyard mixologists pour ‘puptails,’ such as the ‘Pawgarita,’ which includes chicken broth and chicken apple sausage with a kibble rim.
Giving Back to the Community
Some hotels not only accommodate canines, but donate to organizations supporting them.
The Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin on the Dutch coastline donates a portion of its dog fee to Stichting Hulphond, a foundation supporting individuals with mental and physical challenges through assistance dogs and therapeutic interventions.
Fairmont Washington D.C. Georgetown donates $25 to Guiding Eyes for the Blind each time guests book a canine-centered package, including treats handmade by the hotel’s pastry team and a walking map of nearby dog parks. The hotel’s own canine ambassador Georgie was adopted from Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
Recognized among USA Today’s Top Pet-Friendly Hotels in the country, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in California donates to Pet’s Lifeline for every qualified pet stay. Chardonnay Madison Fairmont serves as the resident canine ambassador and director of pet relations. She was trained by Canine Guardians, a Napa Valley organization that prepares service dogs for veterans and individuals with disabilities.