Is My Hotel Really Pet-Friendly? Tips for a Smooth Stay

If you're a dog owner, you know that many hotels claim to be "pet-friendly," but in reality, that's not always the case. You already know the story: surprise pet fees, weight limits, being banned from most of the hotel. Traveling can already be stressful for your dog, so the best you can do is be as prepared as possible. Read on for my personal checklist to see how dog-friendly your hotel really is.

1. Check for hidden fees

Fees at pet-friendly hotels can sneak up on you, kind of like resort fees in places like Las Vegas. You book a room thinking you know the full price, but when you arrive, they can surprise you with significant additional fees, or a hefty damage deposit.

This is the mistake we made on our recent work trip in Armenia. Our usual dog-friendly hotel there was full, so we booked at a new dog-friendly hotel that didn’t have a clear pet fee stated. Upon arrival, they asked us to pay a whopping $50 pet fee—half the price of the room—which we found excessive for one night with an 8lb chihuahua.

Always do your research and avoid booking last minute so you have time to gather all the information beforehand!

2. Screenshot everything for proof

I often hear the same surprised reaction from receptionists at check-in: "Oh, you have a dog?" and my stomach instantly drops. I remind myself to stay calm, knowing I made sure my dog was part of the booking. It can sound like overkill, but being able to show an email confirmation or screenshot that the hotel is expecting you and your dog can really help you in these moments. If you had to pay a pet fee or deposit in advance, keep your receipt on hand too.

3. Guarantee the room you booked is really dog-friendly

"What do you mean the room I booked at a pet-friendly hotel doesn't allow pets?" We had the surprise of a lifetime at a ski resort on Christmas Eve a few years ago. The room we'd booked at the so-called dog-friendly hotel didn't actually allow dogs — even though we'd chosen it for that exact reason and written in the booking comments that we were bringing our dog. And of course, the hotel was fully booked. After having to actually pull a Karen and ask for the manager when they tried to turn us away (to sleep where — in a cave with bears?), they agreed to let us stay in an unrenovated part of the hotel, and after some more back-and-forth, refunded us the difference. Memorable, to say the least. Always get email confirmation that your specific room is pet-friendly, not just the hotel in general.

4. Read the fine print

For the love of dog, don't overlook the hotel's pet policy. And if they claim to be pet friendly and don’t even have one? Run for the hills. Read that pet policy with a magnifying glass, so you don't get turned away last minute or hit with any nasty surprises. Here are some important things to check for in hotel pet policies:

• Can I leave my dog alone in the room?
• What areas of the hotel is my dog allowed in?
• Is there a dog weight limit?
• Are there breed restrictions?
• Does my dog need to stay leashed, crated, diapered, or muzzled on the premises?
• is there a damage deposit?
• how many dogs can I have in the room?

pictured: my dog Tishka wearing a mandatory diaper at Hotel and Doggy, Kyoto

5. Document the room before and after

A good rule of thumb when staying in a hotel with your pet is to take a video of the whole room at check-in and check-out. Having proof that damage existed before you arrived can save you, just as showing you left the room in good condition can protect you if a complaint is filed against you. Try a timestamp camera app for videos that show the date, time, and GPS location as concrete proof.

6. Come prepared with your pet setup

Just because your hotel accepts dogs doesn't mean it will provide basic doggy amenities. Don't forget to bring all your necessary pet accessories from home — even things you might not usually need. For us, that means pee pads in case our dog gets stressed in an unfamiliar place. You should also bring water and food bowls, ample food, poop bags, and a muzzle or crate if required. We don't go as far as bringing a dog bed from home, but do whatever makes your fur baby comfortable in new places!

7. Do your area reconnaissance

Just because you like the hotel's location doesn't mean your dog will. We always check the area on Google Maps to get a feel for the vibe. Here are some things to check for:

• Is there a dog-friendly park nearby?
• Will the streets be too busy for walks?
• Is the area safe to walk around in for a late-night pee break?
• Is it close enough to sites in case you have to leave your dog in the room for a few hours?
• How far is the hotel from your transport method? (A long walk with lots of luggage and a dog is no fun.)

8. Look into pet support options

If you know you'll need help looking after your dog on your trip, look into pet services for support, such as:

• Hotel pet-sitting services
• Dog walkers or sitters on apps
• Local doggy daycares
• nearby vet clinics

9. Protect the room

As well as we think we know our dog, travel can bring out new antics — for us, that means things like hiding under hotel beds, hallway zoomies, or needing the bathroom more often. If your dog gets stressed out in a new place, they might even scratch or chew things while you're away.

Let's say you need to leave your dog alone in the room for a few hours. You never know what your dog can get up to in an unfamiliar place, so do your best to protect the room beforehand. Hide risky items, or use towels or your suitcase to block off areas. Scan the room for anything your dog might enjoy chewing on, including:

• Tassels
• Decorative pillows
• Woven blankets
• Curtains
• Couches and chairs
• Anything with rope, wicker, etc.

10. Pet safety sweep

With most pet-friendly hotels merely tolerating your furry friend for a fee, the room isn’t likely to be built for four-legged friends. Take a sweep of the room and balcony to make sure it’s safe. You never know what could be lingering under the bed or behind a chair, but with your dog's nose, they'll find out. Once, my dog found a piece of candy under a chair, and I had to wrestle it away from him (he was pretty excited). And if there's chocolate on the bed, eat it before your dog does!

It's also nice to make the room comfortable for your dog if you have to leave for a bit. Here's what we always do before leaving:

• Leave their favorite toys
• Leave a dental chew
• Put on some relaxing dog TV
• Leave a light on if we'll be back late
• Leave water (and food, if we'll be back late)

Pro tip: if the bed is too high for your dog to jump on and off, we like building a little ramp out of our suitcase, towels, and pillows!

I hope these tips were useful for your next trip with your dog. Some of them might seem excessive, but with travel, you never know what can happen. Let me know in the comments what tips and stories you have!