One of the most common dilemmas pet-owning families face when going on vacation or meeting up for the holidays is what to do with their furry companions. While dogs require regular care throughout the day in the form of feeding and walks, cats are a bit more self-reliant. Nevertheless, if you’ll be gone for a few days, you still need a plan for taking care of Felix. Many people rely on house-sitters or pet-sitters to step in, but sometimes you can’t find the right person or just don’t want to miss your pet. So, if you’re traveling for a few days with your pets, we’ve found the best hotel chains for you.
The Common Challenges to Traveling with Pets
Once you’ve started on your trip, you need to ensure that your pets have the care they need for transit. If you’re flying, you should check in with your airline’s rules and regulations regarding animal transit. Some may be very friendly to it, while others aren’t necessarily equipped to ensure your pets have a comfortable journey. Similarly, a road trip may lead to some close encounters of the “fur” kind, so you need to plan accordingly.
Once you’ve gotten to your destination, you’ll need to contend with a few challenges. If you’re not staying with family for the duration, then hotels are your best bet. Each of them varies in terms of animal accommodations, but there are several things that you should keep in mind.
- Does the hotel have a green space for walking your dogs, or is it located near a park or other safe place to get your dog some exercise?
- Are there pet deposits or fees for bringing your pet with you?
- Are there any appliances or decorations that your pets might accidentally break or damage?
- Does the hotel routinely deep clean their rooms to reduce the risk of catching fleas or being spooked by other pet smells?
- Does the hotel even allow pets at all?
Far too many families don’t do their homework beforehand and end up arriving at a hotel that is not exactly enthusiastic to see a family with pets, so do yourself a favor by choosing a hotel chain that has a particular affinity for animals.
The Best Pet-Friendly Hotel Chains Throughout the US
No matter where you’re traveling in the United States, there are good options to bring your pets. These hotel chains are reliable and are the best places to bring your pets when you’re traveling. If you see one of these hotels, it’s worth booking a room even if there may be a cheaper option around.
1. Kimpton
Far and away the best option for pet owners, Kimpton hotels are boutique options that give special consideration to animals. The founder was himself a pet owner, so he shared his love of animals with the hotel chain that now bears his name. These hotels routinely have welcoming spaces for pets to exercise and answer the call of nature. Further, they don’t levy exorbitant pet fees, meaning you’ll be paying much closer to sticker price than other hotels that might put on multiple pet fees that somehow find a way to keep getting more expensive. Even better, Kimpton provides comfortable pet beds and allows you to bring your entire canine crew and feline flock, no matter how many animals you have.
2. Aloft
Another pet-friendly hotel chain, Aloft hotels, specifically invites pet owners to visit and stay for a while. They celebrate pet ownership and strive to provide a welcoming atmosphere. They’re not quite as kind as Kimpton when it comes to fees and amenities, but you won’t get any dirty looks for dragging your dog through the door. What’s more, Aloft will happily provide you with pet bowls and even a few treats to help your furry friends find relaxation in a strange place.
3. Hyatt
Although Hyatt is lower than the other two chains on this list, you can often find its hotels in places where it’s harder to spot the others. Hyatt hotels will routinely charge expensive pet fees and restrict animals based on size and breed, but if you’re willing to spend the money and meet their regulations, you’ll find the hotel to be accommodating to pets. Hyatt provides creature comforts to animals and even caters to their unique diets at some branches, letting you treat your pet to some more exciting fare than days-old dry kibble. Some locations put your money to good use and donate your pet fee in part or in full to local animal shelters.
For those reasons and more, veteran pet owners around the nation seek those three brands when planning their vacations. If you happen to be staying near any of them the next time you’re going out of town with your pets, then make sure to put Kimpton, Aloft, and Hyatt on your shortlist of hotels for a family getaway.
By Christopher Gallagher
Christopher is a pet owner from Pennsylvania who has traveled across the US by plane, train, and car. He combines his personal experience, feedback from friends, and national data to find the best hotels to stay at with pets in all parts of the United States.