Something seemed a little far away when Benji, a five-year-old Maltese mix, checked in to New York Madison Avenue in the NH Collection with his owner. There the staff scrambled and offered the little dog 10 different options until they found the porcelain she liked. And now she is a frequent guest, so they keep that bowl for their next visit.
The days when hotel guests travelling with their dogs had to sneak into their rooms or stuff their own chew toys are over. Welcome mats are out and many hotels are out to please their four-legged guests. Some offer custom beds, toys and fresh dishes. Many offer maps of nearby outlying areas and pet-friendly restaurants. Others continue further with dog sitting, walking, and even hiking in the wilderness.
More vacationers are bringing family pets than ever before. According to a survey by the American Pet Products Association 2024, about nine of the 10 owners traveled with their pets last year, compared to about eight out of 10 in the 2021-2022 survey.
Whenever Florida businessman Benji and her owner stay at New York Madison Avenue in the NH Collection, staff always try to book “favorite rooms.” Once, when construction was near that room, the employee showed Benji five other rooms, but the dog didn't look comfortable in any of them. Finally, they changed courses and resumed their normal rooms. “Benji ran from corner to corner. She knew she was home,” Jones said.
Walk (and hiking) with a swaying tail
For some travelers, pet care is just as important when choosing a hotel as a pool or spa. Some properties have staff exclusively for pets. Others tap on external experts. The Kimpton Hotel in the US is working with dog care company WAG! For walks and daycare. Guests at the Pan Pacific Hotel in London can ask their pet concierge to arrange a walk with a wealth of pet sitters and dog massages at Shoreditch dog homes. Other hotels offer a list of approved vendors for guests seeking pet care.
The Food and Drink Manager, a boutique hotel in San Miguel de Arende, Mexico, at Gustavo Vazquez, also walks one or two dog guests from the hotel each week in the nearby park. Like most hotel dog pedestrians, Vazquez sends report cards and photos to the owners after they go out. An hour walk costs $30 and sitting service costs $20 per hour over a long period of time. If the visiting dog appears lonely in the room, Mr. Vazquez may take it to the rooftop bar (with the owner's permission) or hang out with him in his office.
Some hotels cater to dogs with a more adventurous spirit. On Sunday morning at Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa in Whitefield, New Hampshire, “Trail Tail Guide” will use up to four dog guests on a free 30-minute hike, and owners can track it using a collared GPS device connected to the phone app.
At the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Bloomfield, Colorado, the Colorado wilderness guide and photographer, hiking three to four hours through the woods to suit size and energy levels, and the weather is set on a nearby lake for a swim. The dog is equipped with a “adventure gear backpack” that includes protective shoes and a snack, a foldable water bowl and a tennis ball. Guests pay $350 and receive photos of the dog adventure. It also allows you to track your pet's position and heart rate with a GPS-enabled collar.
Fluffy robes for fluffy friends
The hotel also has dogs covered indoors. With a 24-hour notification, Pan Pacific will provide a linen floor mat with the tailor's in-house team embroidered with the pet's name, which your pet can take home. Diets created by dog nutritionists for the hotel include organic eggs, nitrate-free bacon, lamb sausages, “thinly sliced, cooked 'souvides'” (pan-fried) (lbs 18-28, or $23-35).
The Plaza Hotel in New York City offers white Plaza Dog bathrobes as part of a spoiled puppy package. The robes are available in five sizes, and you can order custom-sized robes 30 days in advance for an additional fee of $100 to $175. The package also includes dog beds, dog macarons and Evian water. Costs vary depending on the type of room and the date of your stay.
Dogs can even be part of a wedding plan. For $750, couples marrying at Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston can have staff bring their dogs to their pre-wedding bath at a pet spa, create wedding colours and tailored flower collars, and take photos of the couple with their best friends. If your dog is not invited to the reception, the sitting service will also charge an additional fee.
Dogs have more options to try out ocean feet. Although pets are generally prohibited on cruises, early 2026, Cruise Tail will provide a week-long voyage to dogs (and owners) departing from Tampa, Florida. One dog is permitted per cabin, and must weigh less than 20 pounds and be less than 18 inches tall. Waste bags are provided for public areas and pet relief stations located on the balcony of each cabin. And don't worry about seasickness: the vet is on board.
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