Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Many hotels accept dogs, but the rules are rarely identical across every property. Some chains welcome pets at most locations, while others limit dogs by weight, charge nightly fees, or reserve only a small number of pet-friendly rooms. The safest approach is to compare the written policy and confirm the exact property rules before booking.
Quick Answer
Kimpton, Motel 6, Red Roof, La Quinta by Wyndham, and many Best Western properties accept dogs. Fees, weight limits, pet counts, and unattended-pet rules vary by brand and location, so read the property policy and call the hotel directly before you reserve.
Key Takeaways
- A chain may be pet-friendly without every individual property following the same rules.
- Check the total pet fee, refundable deposit, weight limit, number of pets, and whether dogs may be left alone.
- Kimpton and Motel 6 have especially broad pet-friendly policies, while Red Roof, La Quinta, and Best Western publish specific limits or property-level exceptions.
- Bring identification, food, medications, waste bags, a leash, a secure carrier or restraint, and familiar bedding.
- Service animals are not pets under the Americans with Disabilities Act and cannot be restricted to pet-designated rooms or charged standard pet cleaning fees.
The 2025 National Pet Owners Survey cited by the American Pet Products Association in its 2026 industry reporting estimates that 95 million U.S. households own a pet.
Which Hotels Accept Dogs?
Hotels that accept dogs range from low-cost roadside motels to full-service resorts. The best-known chains can be useful starting points, but a brand name alone is not a guarantee. Local laws, franchise ownership, room availability, and property design can affect the final policy.
| Hotel chain | Published pet policy | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Kimpton Hotels | Kimpton’s U.S. brand policy welcomes pets without size, weight, or breed limits and does not add a pet fee. | Confirm the individual property policy, especially outside the United States. |
| Motel 6 | Well-behaved pets generally stay free, with a limit of two pets per room. Studio 6 commonly charges a pet fee. | Check local legal exceptions and whether your booking is Motel 6 or Studio 6. |
| Red Roof | Red Roof Inn and Red Roof PLUS+ generally allow two domestic pets up to 80 pounds each. The first pet stays free; the second usually has a nightly fee. | Some locations and sub-brands use different rules or cannot accept pets. |
| La Quinta by Wyndham | Most locations offer pet-friendly rooms for up to two domestic pets. An optional fee may be charged, and some properties set weight limits. | Ask about the exact fee, room availability, and property-specific weight restrictions. |
| Best Western | Many properties allow up to two dogs weighing no more than 80 pounds each. Fees and refundable deposits may apply. | Pet-friendly rooms may be limited, and each hotel can set its own approved pet types and charges. |
Other brands, including Loews, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG brands outside Kimpton, may offer dog-friendly rooms at selected locations. Their rules are often set property by property, so use the pet-friendly filter on the booking site and then verify the hotel’s own policy.
What to Look for in a Pet-Friendly Hotel
Start with the complete cost, not just the room rate. A hotel may charge a nightly pet fee, a flat fee per stay, a refundable deposit, or a cleaning fee. Ask whether the charge covers the room or each pet and whether it is capped on longer stays.
- Pet type: Some hotels accept dogs only, while others also allow cats, birds, or small animals.
- Weight or breed rules: Confirm the limit for each dog rather than assuming it applies to the combined weight.
- Number of pets: Many hotels allow one or two pets per room.
- Unattended-pet policy: Some properties forbid leaving a dog alone; others require a crate and a phone number on file.
- Room restrictions: Pet-friendly rooms may be limited to certain floors or room types.
- Common-area rules: Pets may be barred from pools, fitness rooms, breakfast areas, and indoor restaurants.
- Housekeeping procedure: Staff may require you to remove or secure your dog before they enter.
- Outdoor access: Look for nearby grass, walking routes, waste stations, and well-lit areas for late walks.
- Emergency support: Save the address of a nearby veterinary clinic before arrival.
Note: “Pets allowed” on a third-party booking site may not show the full fee or restriction. The hotel’s own property page and front desk are the best places to confirm current details.
How to Book a Dog-Friendly Hotel
- Search with the pet-friendly filter. Use the hotel’s official booking site when possible.
- Open the individual property policy. Do not rely only on the chain’s general marketing page.
- Call the hotel directly. State your dog’s breed, weight, and the number of pets.
- Ask for the total charge. Confirm nightly fees, per-stay fees, taxes, deposits, and possible damage charges.
- Confirm room availability. A hotel can allow dogs but still sell out of designated pet rooms.
- Save the confirmation. Keep a screenshot or email showing the approved pet and quoted charges.
Pro Tip: Ask the front desk to add your dog to the reservation notes. This reduces the chance of a surprise at check-in and gives staff time to assign an appropriate room.
Pet Fees and Restrictions Explained
A no-fee policy does not excuse damage or extra cleaning caused by a pet. Hotels may still charge for stained bedding, scratched doors, damaged furniture, or a room that cannot be returned to service on schedule. Read the damage section of the policy and inspect the room when you arrive.
Weight and breed limits are usually hotel rules rather than universal standards. A chain may publish a general limit while allowing local properties to set stricter rules. Large-dog owners should call even when the booking page appears to accept pets.
Also ask whether the hotel accepts cats. “Dog-friendly” and “pet-friendly” are not always interchangeable. Cat owners may need to bring a litter box and keep the animal secured during housekeeping.
Service Animals Are Not Pets
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a hotel cannot restrict a guest with a service animal to a pet-designated room or charge a routine pet cleaning fee. The hotel may charge for actual damage in the same way it would charge any guest. Emotional support animals do not automatically qualify as service animals under the ADA.
Warning: Do not claim that a pet is a service animal to avoid a fee. Service-animal access is a disability right, and falsely representing a pet may violate state or local law.
Tips for Traveling with Your Dog
| Tip | What to do |
|---|---|
| Plan ahead | Research pet-friendly lodging, parks, restaurants, and veterinary care at your destination. |
| Pack essentials | Bring food, water, bowls, a leash, identification, medications, waste bags, and comfort items. |
| Keep your dog secure | Use a suitable carrier, crate, or vehicle restraint and keep your dog leashed in public areas. |
| Stay hydrated | Offer water regularly, especially during warm weather and active days. |
| Take breaks | Stop during road trips so your dog can walk, drink, and relieve itself. |
Help your dog get used to its carrier or crate before the trip. Short practice sessions can make the space feel familiar instead of threatening. Keep feeding and walking times as close to the normal routine as possible.
For car travel, secure your dog rather than allowing it to move freely around the vehicle. For air travel, check the airline’s rules, destination requirements, and health-document deadlines well in advance. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends reviewing travel certificates and transport rules before departure.
What to Pack for a Hotel Stay
- Your dog’s regular food, plus extra for delays
- Portable food and water bowls
- Leash, backup leash, collar, harness, and current ID tags
- Medications and copies of prescriptions
- Vaccination records or a health certificate when required
- Waste bags, towels, and pet-safe cleaning supplies
- Crate or carrier if the hotel requires one
- Familiar bed, blanket, or toy
- Brush, paw wipes, and a lint roller
- A recent photo of your dog in case it becomes lost
- Veterinarian and emergency-clinic contact information
Pet Amenities at Hotels
Some hotels do more than simply allow dogs. Depending on the property, you may find loaner beds, food and water bowls, treats, waste bags, welcome gifts, nearby walking maps, or designated relief areas.
Full-service hotels and resorts may also arrange dog walking, pet sitting, grooming, or daycare through hotel staff or local providers. Welcome packages may include toys, treats, waste bags, or personalized dog tags, and some properties offer discounts with nearby groomers or trainers. These extras are not standard, so confirm availability, hours, supervision, insurance, and price before relying on them.
Pet amenities can be helpful, but they should not replace a safe room, clear rules, and convenient outdoor access. A basic hotel with a quiet ground-floor room and a grassy area nearby may be more practical than a luxury property with decorative pet gifts.
How to Prepare Your Dog for a Hotel Stay
Before a long trip, give your dog experience with shorter drives, unfamiliar buildings, elevators, and overnight stays. A dog that is comfortable with new sounds and surfaces is less likely to become overwhelmed in a busy hotel.
Bring the same food your dog eats at home and keep meals on the normal schedule. Familiar bedding or a favorite blanket can help the room smell more like home. A portable white noise machine for travel may help mask hallway doors, elevators, and voices for a noise-sensitive dog.
During the First 30 Minutes
- Take your dog to the approved relief area before entering the room.
- Inspect the room for dropped food, medication, sharp objects, open balconies, or spaces where a small dog could become trapped.
- Place water, bedding, and the crate in a quiet part of the room.
- Let your dog explore on leash before removing the leash.
- Use the “do not disturb” sign and arrange housekeeping directly with the front desk.
Hotel Etiquette and Safety
Keep your dog under control in hallways, elevators, lobbies, and outdoor areas. Move aside for guests who appear uncomfortable around animals, and do not allow your dog to approach other pets without permission.
Clean up waste immediately and prevent repeated barking. If your dog becomes distressed when alone, plan meals and activities that allow it to accompany you or arrange a qualified sitter. Never assume a crate makes unattended stays acceptable; the hotel’s written rule still applies.
Warning: Never leave a dog in a parked vehicle. Interior temperatures can become dangerous quickly, even when the outdoor temperature feels mild.
Pet-Friendly Destinations for Your Next Trip
Asheville, North Carolina: The area offers parks, outdoor dining, and access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The National Park Service allows dogs on the Parkway and its trails when they are on a leash no longer than six feet and under physical control.
San Diego, California: The city maintains designated dog beaches and off-leash areas, including Dog Beach in Ocean Beach and Fiesta Island. Rules vary at other beaches and parks, so check the city’s current schedule and leash requirements.
Portland, Oregon: Dogs are welcome in nearly all city parks but must remain leashed unless they are inside a designated dog off-leash area. The city provides an online directory of approved locations.
A destination can be dog-friendly overall while individual trails, beaches, restaurants, and attractions prohibit pets. Check the official site for every place on your itinerary rather than relying on a general city reputation.
The Benefits of Staying at Pet-Friendly Hotels
A pet-friendly hotel lets you share the trip with your dog and may reduce the need for boarding or a pet sitter. For dogs that travel calmly, staying together can make a vacation more enjoyable and keep the normal caregiving routine in one place.
These hotels can also make it easier to meet other pet owners and find nearby walking routes, parks, and services. However, bringing a dog is not automatically the best option. A pet that becomes ill, panicked, destructive, or aggressive in unfamiliar places may be safer and more comfortable with a trusted caregiver at home.
The best stay begins with an honest match between your dog’s needs and the hotel’s rules. Compare current policies, confirm the property directly, prepare your dog before departure, and follow considerate hotel etiquette throughout the visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hotels accept dogs?
Kimpton, Motel 6, Red Roof, La Quinta by Wyndham, and many Best Western properties accept dogs. Many Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Loews, and other branded hotels also have participating pet-friendly locations. Always check the exact property policy.
Do all hotels accept dogs?
No. Some hotels prohibit pets, while others accept dogs only in certain rooms or at selected locations. A pet-friendly chain can still have local exceptions.
What are the typical requirements for dogs at pet-friendly hotels?
Common requirements include declaring the dog at check-in, paying a pet fee or deposit, following weight and pet-count limits, keeping the dog leashed in public areas, cleaning up waste, and preventing noise or damage.
Are pet policies the same at every hotel in a chain?
Usually not. Franchise ownership, local laws, room availability, and property design can change the fee, weight limit, accepted pet types, and number of animals allowed.
Can I leave my dog alone in a hotel room?
Only when the hotel permits it. Some properties prohibit unattended pets, while others require a crate, a phone number at the front desk, or a scheduled housekeeping time. A service animal generally must remain under its handler’s control.
Do hotels charge pet fees for service animals?
Hotels covered by the ADA cannot charge a standard pet fee or routine cleaning fee for a service animal. They may charge for actual damage under the same rules applied to other guests.
What should I consider before staying at a hotel with my dog?
Consider your dog’s behavior in unfamiliar places, the total pet cost, room location, outdoor access, nearby veterinary care, unattended-pet rules, and whether your planned activities allow dogs.
Sources
- American Pet Products Association: Industry Trends and Statistics — current U.S. pet-ownership data.
- IHG: Pet-Friendly Hotels and Kimpton Policy — Kimpton’s published pet policy.
- Motel 6 Reservation Policies — fees, pet limits, and unattended-pet rules.
- Red Roof Pet Policy — current limits, charges, and location exceptions.
- U.S. Department of Justice: Service Animals and the ADA — hotel access and fee rules for service animals.
- American Veterinary Medical Association: Animal Travel Requirements — travel documents and transport planning.