Pets are more like furry family members than animals and it’s hard to fathom leaving home without them, even for a day or two. Traveling with pets is more common than ever before and hotels, like airlines, are taking note. Most hotel chains around the world allow animals, although hotel pet policies differ at each property. Below are eight of the largest hotel chains and their policies for pets. With over 35,000 pet-friendly hotels around the world, traveling with your pet should not be a problem on your next vacation.
| Name | Description | |
| Marriott International | There are over 5,000 Marriott properties around the world and each property is responsible for their own pet policies. Not every Marriott hotel allows pets, but 1,645 properties do. The restrictions, fees and amenities vary at each location, but most of them have a nonrefundable $75 fee per stay. Some locations, like the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, offer pet-friendly packages that include a dog toy, pet-friendly beach access, dog bowl and other goodies. | |
| Hilton Worldwide | Hilton Worldwide is home to a number of hotel chains including Embassy Suites, DoubleTree Hotels, Hilton Garden Inns and more. They have over 5,200 properties in 105 countries and territories, totaling over 850,000 rooms around the world. Hilton’s pet policy varies at each property, but the Hilton brand itself typically allows one pet per room for a $50-$75 nonrefundable fee. DoubleTree hotels have over 120 properties that allow pets with a nonrefundable fee of $75. Embassy Suites allows pets up to 55 pounds with a nonrefundable fee of $50-$75. | |
| InterContinental Hotel Group | IHG is a worldwide luxury hotel chain that includes brands like its eponymous InterContinental Hotels, Crowne Plazas and Holiday Inns. IHG has over 5,400 properties in nearly 100 countries, and over 40 of those countries have hotels that allow pets. Of course, pet policies are dependent on the property and each brand has its own rules and regulations for pets. Kimpton Hotels was one of the first hotel chains to allow pets in their hotels and they’re still one of the biggest supporters of bringing your furry friends with you. Kimpton has no restrictions as to which breed/size/weight can stay at their properties. Typically, however, rates for Intercontinental properties are around $200 for InterContinental hotels, up to $75 for Crowne Plazas (some have no fee for pets and some only allow small dogs), and around $100 at Hotel Indigos. Again, these vary and are determined by each property. | |
| Wyndham Worldwide | Wyndham-owned properties around the world include Howard Johnson, Microtel, Ramada, Super 8 as well as several other large brands. Not all properties allow pets, but those that do determine their own rules regarding pets. For example: Not all Howard Johnson’s allow pets, but those that do require a fee starting at only $15/night. Microtel Inn & Suites do allow pets — two dogs up to 50 lbs — for an additional fee of $15 per dog, per night. Likewise, you won’t find that every Ramada property allows pets, but those that do require a fee that starts at $10/night, with the number and weight limit determined by each property. | |
| Best Western Hotels | Best Western Hotels, or the “leader in pet-friendly hotels,” according to its website, has more than 1,600 pet-friendly hotels around the world. Even the dog whisperer himself, Cesar Millan, once acted as a spokesperson for the hotel chain. Pet-friendly Best Western properties allow up to two dogs that weigh up to 80 lbs. Cats and other animals like birds and monkeys are allowed at the discretion of each hotel and require pre-approval. There’s a maximum charge of $20 per day, and a maximum per week charge of $100. | |
| Hyatt | Hyatt offers nearly 500 properties that allow you to bring your furry friend with you. The hotel chain even goes above and beyond to accommodate your pet — participating pet-friendly Hyatts (including Park Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency) welcome your dog with a welcome letter and door hanger at check-in. Participating Hyatts also put a dog bed, ID tag and a dog bowl in the dog’s room. Those hotels also have a designated dog walking area too. There’s typically a $75-$150 fee for each pet, but some hotels like the Park Hyatt Chicago donate the entirety of the pet fee to animal shelters. Cats are allowed as well, but most of the perks are for the dogs. | |
| Starwood Hotels | Technically, Starwood is now a subsidiary of Marriott, but before the acquisition, Starwood hotels included Westin, Sheraton, W Hotels, St. Regis, Aloft and more. At Aloft Hotels, pets stay free. W Hotels offer the PAW (pets are welcome) program and have special treats like beds and bowls included in the hotel room. | |
CHEAT SHEET
For more on the most pet-friendly hotels, and traveling with pets:
Trips With Pets: https://www.tripswithpets.com
Bring Fido: https://www.bringfido.com
Go Pet-Friendly: https://blog.gopetfriendly.com/the-6-pet-friendly-hotel-chains-where-pets-stay-free/
Jeffrey is an NYC-based writer who recently completed his MFA program in Creative Writing at The New School. He has written for many publications, focusing mostly on lifestyle, travel, and food.
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