These pet-friendly hotels in the USA don’t just allow dogs and cats, they treat them like VIPets
It’s a scenario every pet owner has experienced; you’ve planned the perfect trip but don’t know what to do with your dog (or cat) while you are away. Send them to a kennel? Too sad. Hire a dog sitter? Too expensive. Leave them with a friend or family member? Too risky. If only you could just bring them with you, right? Well, long gone are the days when traveling with your dog meant being forced to stay at sketchy roadside motels with stained carpets and questionable odors. Even before the pandemic, dogs had become more vital members of the family, with Americans spending record amounts of money on their four-legged children. This has included more travelers wishing to take their pets with them on vacations. Today, hotels at all price points are putting the “friendly” in pet-friendly by not only allowing dogs, but pampering them as much as (if not even more than) their humans.
At the properties such as Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, and The St. Regis Aspen Resort, a resident pooch oversees the lobbies and interacts with guests. At La Posada de Santa Fe in New Mexico and Baron’s Cove in Sag Harbor, New York, dogs and their accompanying humans are greeted with local treats and private, fenced-in outdoor spaces perfect for frolicking. At L’Auberge de Sedona in Arizona, they’ll snooze by the fire in a plush dog bed before a day of sniffing around by the creek.
If you are lucky enough to have a dog or cat who travels well, bringing them along can give your vacation a huge boost. Traveling with a pet gives you a built-in excuse to talk to the locals and to spend more time outdoors exploring by foot, and it guarantees you a more enthusiastic greeting — and cuter photos — everywhere you go. I have traveled all over the country with both of my dogs, Charlie and Sawyer, experiencing different amenities and pet-friendly perks during each stay. I must say, traveling with them is way more fun than traveling without them.
Note: some hotels charge an additional fee or deposit, block off specific rooms for guests with pets, or offer pet packages seasonally, so it’s always important to call ahead if you’re checking in with a four-legged guest. Typically, hotels do not allow pets to be left unattended in the room, so it’s important to plan pet-friendly during your stay activities as well. Knowing all of this info ahead of time will help ensure both you and your pet have a great trip.
Below are my picks for the best dog-friendly hotels and resorts to stay at in the U.S:
1. Hotel Nikko, San Francisco, CA
One of the most welcoming dog-friendly hotels in San Francisco, or I should say, the world, is Hotel Nikko. This hotel is a haven for travelers and their canine companions. Located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, only steps away from Union Square, Chinatown, and the city’s dog parks, paths and restaurant patios. Hotel Nikko offers luxury dog-friendly rooms on the VIP (Very Important Pet) Floor with dog beds, food and water bowls, and mats. Walk out to their Pet Terrace, featuring an off-leash, fully-turfed dog run for play time and city views. Hotel Nikko is one of the original dog friendly hotels in the San Francisco Bay Area. Experience a dog friendly retreat in central San Francisco, surrounded by the city’s most exciting attractions and natural wonders. The best part is: you can meet Buster, Canine Operating Officer, and Beau, Pawblic Relations Manager, at Hotel Nikko and discover the SF canine culture.
I have stayed at this hotel several times in the last few years with both of my dogs and thoroughly enjoyed the experience again and again. We were even lucky enough to be asked to be photographed and included in the hotel’s own coffee table book, 49 Dogs and One Cat, The Insider’s Guide to San Francisco, showcasing iconic San Francisco locations, as well as hidden treasures throughout the city, told through the eyes of 49 dogs, and one cat, Nikko.
To book your stay: https://www.hotelnikkosf.com
2. Salamander Resort & Spa, Middleburg, VA
Set on 340 acres nestled into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains amid Virginia’s famed horse and wine country, Salamander Resort & Spa is an opulent and homelike destination. In keeping with the country estate design, all 168 rooms and suites are comfortably spacious and include an outdoor patio or balcony. As a true dog-friendly property, you’ll soon discover that Salamander caters to your dogs with the same level of exceptional personalized service you’ve come to appreciate and expect as one of their guests. They have designated Terrace level rooms to allow easy access to the beautiful grounds and your furry friends will receive in-room amenities that include a comfy bed, food and water bowls, organic treats, a special toy and waste bags. You can even catch my two pups on their website homepage, showcasing the pet-friendly rules and amenities.
