Around 50% of Americans have
a dog as part of their family, enjoying the companionship, fun and loyalty
their pet provides. Quite naturally, many dog owners want to travel or take a
vacation with their furry friend, only to find that locating a hotel which is
dog friendly can be a challenge.
[Credit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/02/adorable-dogs-in-suitcases_n_3200039.html]
Why settle for a pet
friendly hotel that will just tolerate your dog, rather than a place which offers
a genuinely warm welcome? If you are looking to pack your pooch along with a suitcase
the top tips featured below will help you find a place to stay that is perfect for
all the family.
What to look for in a good dog friendly hotel
Hotels which advertise
themselves as pet friendly can range dramatically from those offering only the
basics, say dog bowls for food and water, and a bed of some kind, to high-end
establishments where dogs have dedicated spa treatments and room service options.
[Credit: http://www.baysidepetspa.com/grooming/]
Whatever the price range
may be each hotel or chain will have its own pet guest policies, although these
may not always be clearly displayed on their website. For peace of mind, and a
positive experience make sure to ask about the following:
- Weight limits. Lots of places place a 25 or 50 pound ceiling
on dogs, but this may not be obvious when you make a reservation.
- Extra fees. Ranging from deposits (often non-refundable)
to additional daily cleaning fees, these soon add up. Not all hotels apply
these surcharges, so it is usually possible to avoid, or at least minimize
them.
- Room rules. Some hotels insist dogs are never left
alone in a room. This can make family mealtimes impossible.
- Off-limit zones. Often random, but if your dog is not
allowed in the grounds it makes exercising a chore.
[Credit: http://www.dogloversdigest.com/2010/01/chewing-the-fat-about-skinny/]
The good news is that
there are plenty of hotels with a flexible and welcoming attitude, with staff
keen to share information on everything from dogsitters to local, dog friendly
eateries.
How to find a fantastic dog friendly hotel
Word of mouth is a great
way to source the real gems, so make the most of your friend networks and
relevant discussion forums or Facebook groups. If that is unrealistic or you
simply want more choices an alternative method is to go straight to a
specialist website.
Pettravel has a comprehensive website with
details of over 35,000 pet friendly hotels, and a clever search engine which makes
it easy to find the best place for you. A similar service is offered by Petswelcome. Although the results all
feature dog friendly places it is best to call and check on the tips mentioned
above, or check any policy statements available carefully.
[Credit: http://quotesgram.com/funny-quotes-about-wearing-sunglasses/]
Finding a true dog friendly hotel really makes a vacation, so enjoy, as you can be sure your faithful friend will.
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