7 Best Pet-Friendly Boutique Hotels to Book in 2024
According to studies conducted earlier this year, 68 percent of Americans own a pet in their household. That number is in the ballpark of 85 million families and continues to rise as research shows the benefits of owning a pet, including improved mental health. One of the challenges when traveling is to board your pet, but consider taking a vacation with your dog to honor the bond you have with them. Many hotels are dog (and cat) friendly, welcoming your four-legged with treats, a comfortable bed, and food bowls.
Make sure to pick up after your dog and ensure they are well-behaved. Some hotels require the pet to be in their crate while you are out of the room. Call the property in advance to confirm details such as pet fees and policies; some properties have weight restrictions. Here’s a roundup of the 7 of the most pet-friendly hotels to visit with your furry friend in 2024.
Four Seasons Seattle welcomes dogs 20 pounds and under, credit Jean Chen Smith
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle – Seattle, Washington
For the best hotel in this city, I recommend staying at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, where your pups are highly regarded. Dogs under 20 pounds are welcome and they receive a nice welcome package, which changes from season to season.
Ideally located in the heart of downtown and just minutes from Pike Place, the hotel offers oceanfront views of Elliot Bay, comfortable beds with luxury linens, and spacious sitting areas. The elegant hotel features an infinity pool, a full-service, award-winning spa, and farm-to-table dining at Goldfinch Tavern. Executive Chef Brian Doherty and his team focus on serving elevated Pacific Northwestern cuisine, using fresh and local ingredients.
There are lots of outdoor activities you can do with your four-legged friend. Visit Discovery Park, which is a 534-acre park in a quiet Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. Known as the city’s largest park, there are multiple hiking trails which offer spectacular views of the Puget Sound. Visit Dogwood Play Park, an outdoor/indoor dog park where your pup can play with other dogs off-leash. While your pups are at play, you can grab an beer or wine.
Four Seasons Seattle rooms are dog friendly and have excellent views, credit Four Seasons Seattle
Sands Inn & Suites – San Luis Obispo, California
This low-key property is a short walk to downtown San Luis Obispo and is very dog friendly. The 70-room property has a heated outdoor pool and hot tub along with a complimentary breakfast. Suites offer a separate living room and a wet bar. All rooms offer TVs, microwaves, and minifridges. The hotel is a 2-minute drive to California Polytechnic State University and is close to many parks and trails. SLO has several off-leash dog parks where your dog can run free and enjoy meeting other pooches. In addition to an off-leash area, Laguna Dog Park, which sits alongside Lake Laguna, has several trails, a disc golf course, BBQ area, and picnic tables. Pismo Beach is dog-friendly, but they must be leashed and stay off the dunes at the Pismo State Beach Dune Preserve. Sands Inn And Suites charges a $25 fee per pet and allows two pets per room. For the month of May, they are waiving the pet fee. Rates start at $139
Napa River Inn – Napa Valley, California
Napa Valley is a wine destination, but it’s also an area that is very dog friendly, with many downtown hotels, restaurants, and wineries happy to accommodate your pets. At this charming inn, their “Very Important Pet Program” welcomes your furry friend with treats, a comfy blanket to rest on, and stainless steel feeding bowls. The front desk can also
offer a list of pet sitters in the area that owners can contact. There’s a fee of $50 per night for up to two pets.
Built in 1901, this inn is situated right along the river, in the heart of the Historic Napa Mill with shops and lots of restaurants with outdoor dining options. Stop by the French-inspired Angèle Restaurant & Bar and dine on their beautifully-plated, generous options, all locally sourced whenever possible. Bring your dog to Milo & Friends Pet Boutique where you can shower them with treats and toys. Many Napa wineries not only allow dogs outside, but indoors as well. Clos du Val, Pine Ridge Vineyards, and Trefethen Family Vineyards are only a few of the wineries that allow dogs indoors. Bring your pup to Yappy Hour at Alba Restaurant, which has a large outdoor seating area and is a great place to hang out and relax with your dog. Rates start at $449
Welcome basket for your pooch at the Napa River Inn, credit Jean Chen Smith
Credit Napa River Inn
The Landing Tahoe Resort & Spa – South Lake Tahoe, California
South Lake Tahoe has many accessible beaches and hiking options, which make it a great place to visit with your dog. Set in an ideal location, this well-regarded establishment sits at the end of a quiet street with views of Lake Tahoe and is a short 15-minute walk to Heavenly Village, which is a hub activity. Heavenly Village is lined with restaurants, shops, a live theater, a cineplex and an ice-skating rink. Within minutes from the hotel is free beach access where you and your pup can enjoy a walk. Rooms feature comfortable furnishings with fireplaces and heated bathroom floors. Suites offer a nicely appointed seating area, and some offer a full kitchen as well as a spacious patio. Jimmy’s restaurant serves California fare with a sophisticated wine and beverage list. The lakeside patio is a great place to hang out with your four-legged buddy. Dogs can stay in dog-friendly rooms for an additional fee of $75 per pet, per night. Rooms start at $226
Hotel Terra Jackson Hole – Teton Village, Wyoming
Teton Village is an idyllic mountain town, which welcomes dogs. The village is a fast 20-minute drive from the Jackson Hole Airport. Set at an elevation of 6,329 feet, the village is about a mile from the south entrance of Grand Teton National Park. Book a room at Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, which is dog friendly, offering luxurious rooms outfitted with deep wood, large fireplaces, and plush beds.
Hiking in Grand Teton National Park with your dog can be fun, but they are allowed in certain places, in order to preserve protected land. Even if you stay on the designated paths, you and your four-legged can have a great time. Heading to downtown Jackson Hole is also a great idea. Many shops and eateries line the streets. Meander to the George Washington Memorial Park, where there are four massive antler arches on each corner of the park.
Paisley loves her welcome basket from Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, credit Jean Chen Smith
Hotel Terra offers quick and easy grab-and-go breakfast options at Il Villaggio Osteria, which allows eager hikers to head out early. The popular wine bar and restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, highlighting the best of Italian fare. Feast on handmade pastas, delicious oven-made pizzas, and filling salad entrees. Bring your dog to Bodega, the local grocery store that has a food truck right next door. It serves delicious savory burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and ice cream. Pick up your food and enjoy your food at one of the neighboring picnic tables as you watch the cars go by and enjoy the view of the mountains in the backdrop. After a day of activity, let your furry friend rest up while you book a massage or European facial at Chill Spa, a serene 12,000 square feet oasis where you can relax and renew.
Cuyama Buckhorn – New Cuyama, California
A visit to Cuyama Buckhorn with your four-legged is an absolute must. Located two and a half hours from Los Angeles and just over two hours from Santa Barbara Airport, the high desert setting offers a chance to escape the complexities of urban life. The property, originally built in 1952 as a roadside hotel, has been restored to an Instagrammers dream feed. Think rooms with oversize couches, faux fur rugs, hanging swings inside rooms, idyllic patio settings, and an inviting outdoor pool. The center courtyard green is a great place to hang with Fido, where cornhole and bocce are set up. There is an area for pets who need to go, along with poop bags should you forget yours. There is a $30 pet fee.
The Buckhorn Restaurant & Bar serves hearty dishes such as burgers with beef raised on nearby farms and lush green salads that make for a satisfying meal. While dogs are not allowed in the restaurant itself, grab takeout or order room service and set up meals on your private patio, with comfy café tables and chairs.
Cuyama Buckhorn restaurant serves delicious meals using locally sourced ingredients.
While visiting the area, Carrizo Plain National Monument and Aliso Park are amazing places to visit. Carrizo Plain National Monument is a one-hour drive from the resort, but it is well worth it. It offers visitors over 250,000 acres of land to explore. There are many paths for hiking with your dog, mostly free of tourists and crowds. Set along the foot of Temblor Mountains, the San Andreas Fault runs adjacent to the northeastern end of the monument. Driving by, make sure you stop to see the prominent shift. There’s an informative visitor center there along with restrooms, a cute gift shop, and picnic tables. Aliso Park is a short 20 minutes away from Cuyama, with camping available. Miles of trails are available for exploring. Some of the land is private property and fenced off, so make sure to keep your dogs leashed.
There are many places to hike in the Carrizo Plain National Monument.
Hotel Indigo San Antonio-Riverwalk, an IHG Hotel – San Antonio, Texas
This boutique hotel sits along the San Antonio River Walk and is both dog and cat-friendly. The River Walk is a cool place for both visitors and locals, to walk, jog, and bike. Shops and restaurants dot the area, many with pet-friendly outdoor seating available. The hotel’s neutral toned rooms with pops of turquoise invite guests without pretension. Amenities feature free Wi-Fi, minifridges, and coffeemakers. There’s a gym, an outdoor pool, along with an on-site restaurant. Two pets are welcome with an additional fee of $50 per stay. There are many dog-friendly attractions in San Antonio. Visit Madison Square Park, which opened in 2010. The 65-acre grounds allows dogs to romp and play. There’s also a drinking fountain for the dogs.
At Brackenridge Park, you’ll find 343-acres offering trails to meander and discover. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome in the Japanese Tea Garden where there’s also a café serving Asian sandwiches and teas. The park also has a miniature train that operates throughout the park, which is great for kids.
