Because we like to travel with our dogs Oscar and Sadie, it’s important to keep on top of which major hotel chains are pet friendly. Years ago, we discovered one chain that was more welcoming of dogs than others so it’s always our go-to when booking a hotel. Big selling point: dogs stay for free. Also, you’re allowed to leave your dogs alone in the hotel room as long as they don’t disturb other guests. Sold!
However, since then, I guess the major hotel chains have picked up on the fact that Americans want to travel with their pets. Therefore, they have had to become more friendly towards animal-loving guests. Of course, most hotels have always welcomed service dogs and continue to do so for free.
What major hotel chains are pet friendly
Now that I’ve covered which major airlines are dog friendly as well as pet-friendly airports in the United States, I figured it was time to cover what major hotel chains are pet friendly. As I wrote in this article about traveling with your dog, we already know that some boutique brands welcome pets. This includes Aloft (part of the Marriott family) and Kimpton (part of Intercontinental Hotels or IHG).
But what about the rest of the major chains like Marriott and IHG? Here’s what I found on these top 10 hotel chains:
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Hilton
- IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)
- Choice Hotels International
- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
- Best Western Hotels & Resorts
- Hyatt Hotels
- Radisson Hotel Group
- Red Roof Inns
- Accor
Marriott Bonvoy hotels
There are a number of different brands within the Marriott Bonvoy family. This includes the aforementioned Aloft Hotels.
According to this Marriott page about pet-friendly brands in this hotel chain, these are the ones that are most welcoming of your pets:
- Aloft
- Delta Hotels
- Element
- Moxy
- Residence Inn
- Westin
- W Hotels
Even though these are marketed as pet-friendly places to stay, dogs don’t stay for free. Also, Marriott may deny hosting your pet based on weight or your pet’s breed. So definitely check ahead before booking.
Finally, one of the benefits of your pets staying at the Westin brand? Great pet beds.
Hilton Hotels
This is how Hilton describes its decision to welcome pets:
“Furry friends are family, too. We get it. Which is why we’re welcoming four-legged guests at over 5,000 hotels across the U.S. and Canada with open arms and belly rubs.”
Hilton Hotels
Thanks, Hilton. We feel the same.
Of the brands in the Hilton Hotels chain, these are the ones where you shouldn’t have a problem booking a room with a pet in tow:
- Canopy
- Hampton
- Tru
- Homewood Suites
- Home2 Suites
- Embassy Suites
- Hilton Garden Inn
Now, pets do not stay at Hilton hotels for free. Whenever we’ve stayed at a Hilton chain with Oscar and Sadie, we’ve always had to pay a per-pet fee. It ranged from $50 per pet per night to $75 per pet per night.
Intercontinental Hotels (IHG)
For many years, my mother in law lived in New York City, so we would always travel to see and spend Christmas with her. Because she lived in a tiny apartment, we couldn’t stay with her. Therefore, we needed to stay in a pet-friendly hotel. However, because it was always incredibly difficult to find a dog walker on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, we were limited in how much time we could spend with her.
Then we discovered the pet policy at IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) hotels, specifically the Kimpton Hotels in Manhattan. We’ve stayed at all of them in New York City.
Not only could these Kimptons help us find a dog walker but, if necessary, we were allowed to leave Oscar and Sadie alone in the room when we went out. This was, as I said earlier, as long as they didn’t disturb other guests.
Also, since we were rewards members and possessed an IHG credit card, we did not pay a fee for the dogs to stay with us. Note: the hotel mentioned in my Instagram story above is no longer part of the Kimpton chain. It’s still called the Ink 48 hotel and it is still pet friendly. However, I don’t know if they have the same rules as Kimpton did.
According to IHG, these are the chain’s brands that are the most pet-welcoming:
- Holiday Inn
- Holiday Inn Express
- Staybridge Suites
- Candlewood Suites
- Kimpton Hotels
Choice Hotels
The pet policy at Choice Hotels International and their brands allows pets at most locations, with some restrictions. According to their website, these are the Choice Hotels brands that are pet-friendly:
- Comfort
- Quality Inn
- Econo Lodge
- Rodeway Inn
- Clarion
- Sleep Inn
- WoodSpring Suites
- Suburban Extended Stay
- Ascend Hotel Collection
- MainStay Suites
The pet fee ranges from $10-$75 per night with a maximum of two pets per night.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
The Wyndham Hotels and Resorts website has a page for its pet-friendly properties. This includes rooms at LaQuinta, Days Inn, Super 8, Travelodge, Ramada and Howard Johnson.
Most hotels charge a non-refundable fee of $25-$75 per night and limit you to two pets max per room. Your pets must be, combined, under 74 pounds.
Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western brands that are pet-friendly include Best Western, Best Western Plus, BW Premier and SureStay Hotel Group.
Here are other details you need to know when staying at a pet-friendly Best Western hotel:
- Best Western pet-friendly hotels allow up to two domestic dogs in a rented room, with a maximum size of 80 lbs. per animal.
- Other pet types such as cats, birds, monkeys, snakes, or other animals are allowed at the discretion of each property and require prior approval.
- There may be a maximum charge of $30 per day for each room with a pet or multiple pets, or a maximum charge per week of $150. A refundable damage deposit of up to $150 per stay may be required of all guests with a pet.
- When making your reservation at a pet-friendly hotel, it is recommended that you call the hotel directly if you have specific pet related questions and to guarantee availability of a pet-friendly room.
Hyatt Hotels
Most Hyatt brands welcome dogs up to 50 lbs, including Hyatt Place and Hyatt House. There is typically a non-refundable fee of $75-150 per stay. Also, some hotels allow up to two dogs under 75 lbs total.
Radisson Hotels
I was unable to find any official pet policy for Radisson Hotels in the United States. There seems to be a few pet packages for hotels overseas but nothing in North America. I’ll keep digging. Also, if you represent Radisson brands or the chain and are aware of a pet policy — with a link — please get in touch.
Red Roof Inns
Pets stay for free at Red Roof Inns and Red Roof PLUS+ locations. And from time to time, Red Roof will have pet-specific packages, such as this one: use code 628690 when booking your VP pets room and you’ll save 10%.
Some of the Red Roof Inn brands have weight limits and/or a limit on the number of pets per room with their human family. Also, at HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof, pet policies vary by location and a fee may apply.
Accor Hotels
The Accor hotels chain is primarily an overseas brand. However, there are a few Accor locations in the United States under the Sofitel brand. Sofitel brands appear to welcome dogs with open arms, including treats in the room, free stays and even discounts at nearby grooming salons.
Final thoughts on pet friendly major hotel chains
Obviously, if I’ve missed something, please let me know by posting a comment. For example, if there are other major hotel chains that are pet friendly and are in the United States or Canada, let me know what they are and I’ll look into adding them to this article.