If you and your family have pets, it can be difficult to leave them at home while on vacation. Putting your animals in a kennel can be expensive, but it can be difficult to find someone to pet sit so far from your home. Fortunately, there is a solution. Pet-friendly hotels are becoming more common in many cities.
Pet-friendly hotels allow travelers to bring their animal friends with them instead of taking them in a kennel or hiring a ranger to stay with them during the trip. These places are dedicated to making animals feel comfortable while also giving owners peace of mind knowing their animals are safe and well fed.
Some luxury establishments even treat animals as miniature minifigures, catering to their every whim and pampering. For example, they may have a special room service menu for animals, leave toys in all rooms, and provide special dog and cat beds that will give the animals a good night’s sleep. This Seattle hotel has animal psychiatrists, acupuncturists, and massage therapists on staff to pamper the pets that come to stay.
One establishment in California has a “Yappy Hour” where dog owners can bring their dogs to a private area for a play session. These events are a great way for dogs to run around and frolic while their owners communicate. Some places have even hired “animal relationship managers” who plan special events and discover new services and offers that make animals feel at home.
Some pet-friendly hotels have also begun providing replacement animals for travelers who have been forced to leave their four-legged friends at home. For example, the Burnham Hotel in Chicago has begun providing goldfish to guests, as does the SoHo Grand in New York. Some establishments have even started providing cats or dogs for guests who want an animal companion during their stay. The goal is to make guests feel at home and work to ease the pain that comes with leaving a beloved animal friend at home.
These pet-friendly hotels are able to accommodate devoted animal lovers by requiring a non-refundable deposit from any guests who bring animals with them. This allows them to provide additional services as well as repair any damage the animals may have caused, such as chewing on furniture, scratching carpets, or urinating inside a room.
