How to Find Pet-Friendly Hotels for Your Vacation – Without Stress

Traveling with your dog (or cat) doesn’t have to be complicated, but finding the right pet-friendly hotel takes more than checking a box on a booking site.

What used to feel nearly impossible is now much easier. More hotels than ever advertise themselves as “pet friendly.” The catch? Not all of them are truly welcoming and some

If you’re planning a trip with your four-legged travel buddy, here’s exactly how to find the best pet-friendly hotels for your vacation.

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Start With Real Recommendations from Pet Owners

Before diving into search engines, start with people who’ve actually traveled with pets.

Friends, family, and fellow dog owners often give the most honest feedback about Cleanliness, pet policies, surprise fees and how welcoming the staff really is.

Local Facebook groups in your destination city can also be goldmines. Search for a community group in your destination and ask for their best pet-friendly lodging tips.

Don’t overlook local tourism boards or chambers of commerce either. Many will send visitor guides that include pet-friendly accommodations, parks, and restaurants.

Use Booking Filters (But Don’t Stop There)

Most major travel sites allow you to filter for pet-friendly hotels, which saves time immediately.

However, here’s the important part:

“Pet Friendly” may not mean the same thing to you as it does the hotel. There may be hidden fees, weight limits, only a few rooms that allow pets or only one pet per room.

After narrowing down options, check the hotel’s official website, or better yet, call them directly and confirm their current pet policy.

Helpful Travel Apps for Pet Owners

These platforms specialize in pet travel:

–BringFido

–PetFriendly.io

–betterpet

They make it easy to find pet-friendly hotels, vacation rentals, dog parks, and even pet-welcoming restaurants along your route.

Check Pet-Friendly Hotel Chains First

If you’re loyal to certain hotel brands, start there. Call their customer support line to see if they have any hotels at your destination.

Several national chains are well known for welcoming pets, including Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, La Quinta by Wyndham, and Red Roof Inn. Many of these brands either waive pet fees or keep them reasonable.

Pro tip: Create a cheat sheet listing your favorite hotel chains and their pet policies. Include notes for pet fees per night, any size limits, number of pets allowed and which of their locations allow pets. This makes last-minute travel planning significantly easier.

Think Beyond Traditional Hotels

Hotels aren’t your only option and sometimes they’re not the best one for traveling with pets.

Consider:

Vacation Rentals – Platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Vacasa offer pet filters and often provide more space and flexibility.

Cabins – Great for mountain or national park trips, cabins give dogs room to roam and fewer hallway restrictions.

RV Rentals – Road-tripping with pets? An RV allows you to keep your pet in a familiar environment the entire trip.

Resorts With Pet-Friendly Units – Some resorts have designated pet buildings or ground-floor rooms designed specifically for guests traveling with dogs.

Often these alternatives mean fewer noise restrictions, easier outdoor access, more room to roam and less stress for your pet.

Questions to Ask Before Booking a Pet-Friendly Hotel

1. Get specifics about pet fees:

-Are there pet fees?

– If there are fees are they nightly or per stay?

-Is it per pet?

-Is there a refundable deposit?

– Are fees charged up front?

All hotels charge differently. Always know before you book.

2. Question Breed and Size Restrictions

– What are the weight limits?

– Is the weight limit per dog or per room?

-Is there breed restrictions?

-Is the policy for dogs only or are cats allowed?

Policies vary widely, so be sure you get specifics for your pup.

3. Get specifics on pet friendly rooms

-Are they limited to certain floors?

-Can you request ground-floor access?

-Are they near an exit door?

Ground-level rooms make late-night potty breaks much easier.

4. Find out exactly where dogs are allowed on the property

– Are they allowed to walk indoors of the property, such as in the lobby or fitness center?

– Are they allowed to walk anywhere outside on the property or just certain areas?

– Is there a dedicated pet relief area?

– Are there any pet friendly restaurants on the property?

Know the boundaries in advance.

5. Check if there are extra pet amenities

– Do they provide dog beds?

– Do they provide treat packages?

– Do they have pet sitting services?

Some properties go above and beyond with amenities including beds, bowls, treats, etc. It’s a nice bonus and a sign they genuinely welcome pets.

Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Pet-Friendly Hotel Is Worth the Extra Step

Traveling with pets has never been easier, but not all “pet-friendly” accommodations are created equal. Doing a little research upfront saves you from surprise fees, awkward check-in moments, or policies that don’t work for your travel style.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a beach vacation, or a cross-country road trip, finding the right pet-friendly hotel means less stress and more flexibility.

And most importantly, a much happier travel companion. Because let’s be honest, vacations are better when the whole family comes along.

We love sharing tips and information we learn along the way to help you plan your next vacation. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.