Finding a pet-friendly hotel for your vacation or a weekend get-away is easier than ever before. Now most hotels and vacation rentals accommodate pet parents. With a little planning you can ensure your trip will be enjoyable for both you and your dog or cat.
Before you leave home be sure to review your pet insurance to know your coverage when traveling especially if you’re crossing state lines or leaving the country. Don’t forget to take a copy of your pet’s medical record with you and be prepared for any situation that may come up. If you have that information on your smart phone you may want to carry a hard copy if you can’t get a signal on your cell phone.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Some hotels offer rooms with private outdoor space like a balcony or enclosed patio which are very desirable to have for your pet to enjoy as well. Other things to look for when looking to make your reservation is outdoor spaces dedicated for pets, a dog park or dog run so your dog can run and play. Look for availability of pet water stations and pet waste collection stations.
CAN WE SLEEP
If your dog is a barker and will wake up with unfamiliar noises you will want to ask the reservation desk if they have pet-friendly rooms in quiet zones to avoid noises waking up your dog in the middle of the night. You also do not want complaints because your dog is barking at night and waking up other guests. Speak with your vet about devices that may help your little barker to be quiet in certain settings. A trainer can provide wonderful support for you and your dog to help keep your dog calm in unfamiliar settings. You may want to pack your pet’s favorite blanket or bed to help him/her sleep on a familiar surface.
SHOPPING AND RESTAURANTS
Shopping and eating out is part of travel and having fun. Be sure to ask during your reservation arrangements if the hotel offers shopping spaces that are pet-friendly and what their rules are. Restaurant rules are also important to know so that your dog can join you and avoid you leaving him/her behind in the hotel room alone, something you never want to do. If you’re traveling with your cat a light weight carrier is wonderful to have when out shopping or eating out.
TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE REVIEWS
Customer satisfaction reviews are a great resource so take the time to read the hotel’s reviews from pet parents. The reviews will be your best evaluation of the hotel’s practice from the guest’s perspective. Many hotels claim to be pet-friendly but in practice the pet and the pet owner may reveal a different story. And finally, a hotel may or may not charge a pet deposit for damages which you also need to know upfront. Happy travels!