Travelling with friends and family builds plenty of special memories, but bringing your pet along can add a whole new element of fun and charm to your travels. Pet friendly hotels are on the rise in both Europe and North America, making it easier than ever to find hotels that allow dogs, cats, and sometimes more. Even better than merely allowing pets, many hotels are going out of their way to court your furry friends, offering pet amenities and even pet programming to make your getaway as full-family-inclusive as possible. Here are 16 pet friendly hotels offering the best total experience for both you and your pet together, so no one has to stay home alone.
1. Hotel Zed Tofino, Canada
Review Score: 8.8
Tofino, on Vancouver Island off the western coast of Canada, is no ordinary place. From lush rainforest to wide swaths of sandy shore, the diverse landscapes of Tofino draw nature lovers of all kinds to this remote region. A variety of hotels exist here, catering to different types of travellers, but one stands out as being truly unique. Hotel Zed Tofino’s lifestyle is encapsulated by its “Rebels Against the Ordinary” philosophy, and that extends to its all-inclusive welcome of pets. Seriously, that includes snakes, monkeys, parrots, or whichever special friends you call family. The super-stylised hotel includes pet-designed rooms, treats, a pet-friendly restaurant patio, and pets-welcome happy hour daily in the lobby’s sunken living room. What I personally appreciate most among the pet perks are the designated pet towels, so I don’t have to feel bad ruining a fluffy white bath towel when my dog takes an unscheduled romp through the woods or into the water.
2. Perry Hotel & Marina Key West, Florida
Review Score: 8.8
Some hotels accept pets, some welcome them, and then there’s Perry Hotel, which claims to be obsessed with pets. There’s not only plenty of space for puppy potty breaks here, but Perry Hotel includes two actual dog parks on site, and my pup loved the chance to play with other visitors whenever we popped in. Because my dog loves activity, we were thrilled to be able to paddle board together, directly from the property, thanks to the hotel’s partnership with a local activity company that offers dog-friendly fun. Especially thoughtful was the designated dog shower at the patio of our first-floor room so we could rinse off and head directly inside without tracking muck through the lobby or leaving a path of wet paw prints down the hall.
3. The Rubens at the Palace, London
Review Score: 8.6
If your dog is used to the royal treatment and won’t accept anything less on the road, it’s time for a visit to London’s The Rubens at the Palace. Located just across from Buckingham Palace, the British royal family will literally be your neighbours while you’re in town, and your pup will receive some truly top-tier service. Not only will the hotel concierge handle all your needs, but a dedicated pet concierge will take care of your furry friend’s needs, too. Grooming and pet sitting are available, of course, as is veterinary care, if necessary, but you can really take your getaway to the next level by having the pet concierge organize a puppy party. Do it to celebrate a birthday or adoptiversary, or do it just because!
4. Das Edelweiss – Salzburg Mountain Resort, Austria
Review Score: 9.5
In the scenic Großarl Valley, surrounded by Austrian hills blanketed in white throughout winter and an almost electric green after the snow melts, Das Edelweiss is a luxury mountain resort for the entire family. Visiting pups are welcomed with the usual bed, bowl, and bathroom bags, but can also take advantage of more personalised services. Dogsitting services allow humans to spend the afternoon at the spa (or bar) without worry, and the kitchen can prepare pup meals on request. The region is abundant with hiking trails, but many are not for the faint of heart, so I most appreciate the dog welcome guide that highlights ideal walks and hikes for pups. It also notes village shops for pet food and supplies, plus veterinarian services in case anything unexpected occurs while travelling.
5. The Plaza Hotel, New York
Review Score: 8.5
For the true uptown dog, The Plaza Hotel extends its storied luxury to visiting pooches who book the Pampered Pup Package. Aside from the gift of lounging about in the decadent surroundings of a Plaza room, visiting dogs lay claim to their own plush beds and are served bowls of premium bottled water and a tiered assortment of lavish dog treats fit for a VIP (very important pooch, that is). Most adorable of all, Plaza dog robes mean you can live the good life together in matching style, taking in the simple yet extravagant pleasures of https://www.kayak.co.uk/news/things-to-do-in-new-york/" target="_blank">New York Citytogether from the comfort of your over-the-top room at one of the city’s most famous addresses. Trust me, the robe photos alone are worth the visit.
6. Grand Hyatt Vail, Colorado
Review Score: 8.6
The Colorado resort town of Vail is known for its many trails, both skiing and hiking, but they’re not all just for humans. With so much outdoor space easily accessible, Vail can be just as exciting for pets who love the great outdoors, and Grand Hyatt Vail welcomes them warmly. On request, dogs are treated to their own beds and bowls in the room, and first-floor dog-friendly rooms are connected to green spaces for potty breaks and easy access to the walking trail that leads straight to the village. Still, my dog’s favorite activity here was the daily Yappy Hour, where she enjoyed socializing with other pups and sneaking snacks while I sipped champagne by the fireplace. If you visit, you’ll find her photo on the dog wall of fame, to which you can add a picture of your own pet, too.
7. Emery, Autograph Collection, Minneapolis
Review Score: 8.7
Pets stay for free at Emery, the luxury Minneapolis hotel with boutique amenities and service in a historic downtown building. You’ll notice a water bowl and a gumball machine full of dog treats when you first enter through the conservatory-vibe atrium that was once an imposing bank lobby, but cats are just as welcome as dogs here. Technically, any furry pet is welcome, and Emery encourages pets to tag themselves on social media with a dedicated hashtag for potential inclusion on their own socials. There are no restrictions for breed, size, or anything at all, which, as a traveling pet parent, is something I less often find and always appreciate. And, as a city packed with parks – 180 to be exact – Minneapolis is exceptionally well-suited for adventure-loving pets, pooch or otherwise.
8. Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese, Italy
Review Score: 8.7
If your dog is used to the best and looking to live la dolce vita, you’ll have a hard time finding a posher pet programme than the Roman Pooch Package at Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese. It comes with pet-friendly pickup at the airport, a sunset dog picnic in Villa Borghese (the largest park in Rome), 2-hour daily walks around the city, a grooming and pampering session with ozone bath therapy, and a professional photo shoot (humans included), among other A-list perks. If the sky is not the limit on your doggy vacay budget, you’re still welcome to stay at this fashionable location and your pet will be treated just as well as you, regardless. You’ll also still receive a welcome treat, dog bed and bowls, and be located directly next to the most beautiful park in the city for epic evening strolls with your furry friend.
9. Hotel Xcaret Arte, Playa del Carmen
Review Score: 8.7
Mexican resort regions are fast catching on to the pet travel trend, and Playa del Carmen’s Hotel Xcaret Arte treats dogs to the best of the Mexican Caribbean. The resort is adults-only, so human children aren’t allowed, but four-legged children most definitely are. The private butler service that comes with every room is especially useful for on-demand dog needs, or even checking on pups and providing text updates and photos if you’ll be out on an excursion all day. It's an oceanfront resort, but there’s plenty of green space and private areas for dog walks, and push-button selfie cams staged all around the expansive property mean you can take tons of pics of you and your pup(s) without having to ask strangers for help. Despite the extensive grounds to explore, it was hard to convince my dog to leave the doggy teepee that surrounded the cushioned bed provided in our room.
10. Barnsley Resort, Georgia
Review Score: 9.0
If ten miles of hiking trails in the foothills of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains sound fun to you, imagine how they’ll sound to your dog. Set on a historic estate (complete with explorable mansion ruins surrounded by restored gardens), Barnsley Resort welcomes dogs of all sizes to the private cottages strewn about the expansive grounds. I personally love seeing the big dogs vacationing here, since they’re often banned by size restrictions elsewhere, and my little pup loves the chance to play with them, too. Pets can join their human families at the property’s beer garden, shop for designer accessories and resort-branded treats, and rest dreamily on their dog beds knowing a portion of their reservation is donated to an Atlanta no-kill rescue that aids orphaned pets during their transition to new homes.
11. Topnotch Resort, Vermont
Review Score: 8.8
By now you’ve come to expect that pet friendly hotels will offer pet beds and bowls, and welcome treats are fairly common, too. Topnotch Resort has all of these, of course, but they also offer afternoon treats in the lobby daily, so the good times continue whenever your pup passes through. With all manner of alpine activities like hiking, biking, and skiing on offer, Stowe is an adventure town often visited by outdoor aficionados. And serious activity requires serious rejuvenation. So, like other mountain resorts, it’s also a spa town. Topnotch extends its spa treatment programmes beyond humans to include active pups, too, so you’re able to book experiences like an in-room dog reiki massage with a professional therapist.
12. The Langham Chicago, Chicago
Review Score: 9.3
The Langham brand is well-known in Europe, where it’s been a standard of luxury since the mid-19th century, but it’s now making its way into the American market with recent openings in select major cities. Notably, The Langham Chicago brings 5-star service to the city’s famed riverfront, and that certainly extends to its four-legged guests. Both dogs and cats are welcome here, and while bowls and beds are common pet amenities anywhere, you can have your pet’s bed personalized on request at The Langham. My dog enjoys just about any pet menu (or human menu, to be honest), but is especially fond of the homemade banana ice cream on the Langham’s doggie menu.
13. The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis
Review Score: 9.0
The Ritz-Carlton name has signified luxury for decades, but it’s not only human guests who benefit from superior service at some of the upscale brand’s properties. Unfortunately, not all Ritz-Carlton properties are open to pet travellers, but several are, and a few go above and beyond for your four-legged friends. The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis not only offers the traditional welcome amenities animals will find in most pet-friendly hotel rooms (like bowls and beds) or even the simple treat welcome that some hotels boast, but a full Bark Bites menu worthy of any white-tablecloth restaurant. My dog is partial to the chopped filet mignon with English peas and carrots, but yours may prefer salmon and scrambled eggs with broccoli or even a simple beef and rice dish with farro and green beans. You can leave the canned stuff at home.
14. Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Review Score: 9.2
There are few cities as simultaneously showy and sophisticated as Singapore, making the elegant Four Seasons hotel brand a perfect match for this destination. As pet friendly travel slowly begins to take root in Asia, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore has been among the first properties to welcome small dogs in this equally small nation and remains the best choice today. After taking your pup shopping at the boutiques of Orchard Road, return to your room for dazzling street views for you and cozy naps in a pet bad for the pup. Your little one will also receive bowls and a welcome toy to take home. Pet-friendly hotels are scarce in many parts of this continent, but Four Seasons offers a luxe respite in Singapore, at least for smaller pups.
15. The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown
Review Score: 8.4
The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown used to be known as the Kimpton Monaco Portland and, though they do now charge a fee for pet reservations, the hyper-designed property still offers a lot of amenities for travelling pets. While it’s no longer free to stay with a pet at this property, the rebrand brings along the PAWS program (Pets Are Welcome at Sonesta). Partnering with the Best Friends Animal Society, a portion of your PAWS booking goes to benefitting local homeless animals in need of care. If you want to contribute more, you can purchase PAWS merch from the hotel’s marketplace, but all visiting pets are offered a welcome letter with accompanying treats, a cushioned bed, and food and water bowls (plus a feeding mat for spills). They may not necessarily advertise this, but those treats are pretty much always available at reception.
16. L’Hôtel, Paris
Review Score: 8.6
Paris is surprisingly hesitant when it comes to rolling out the red carpet for globetrotting dogs so it’s difficult to find quality hotels with developed pet programmes. But that doesn’t mean dogs aren’t welcome. On the contrary, dogs, especially small ones, are considered more of a natural companion for many, so they’re often expected and rarely turned away. Because there’s something just so very French about walking your small dog around the corner and into a romantic setting, I find L’Hôtel to be the best pet-friendly hotel in Paris. Think heavy silk drapes, velvet surfaces, and palettes of black and pink creating the moodiest of environments fit for Parisian artists. You and your pup will feel like chic locals the moment you walk in, though maybe from a bygone era, especially if you’re staying in the Oscar Wilde boudoir, as the rooms are appropriately known.
