Free Pet Friendly Hotels & Some That Charge A Fee

Traveling with your German shepherd can be a lot of fun.  Most dogs love being able to go along with their owners.   The entire experience can be an exciting adventure, all it takes is a little preplanning then you and your best friend can hit the road.

The drawback to traveling with your German shepherd is that it can be a challenge to find a hotel that takes medium to large size dogs.   The last thing you want to discover is that the hotel you booked will not welcome your pet.

We’ve traveled a lot with our dogs and it hasn’t always been easy to make reservations but usually we can find a hotel that will accommodate us.  It’s always best to contact the front desk or management of the hotel directly and never rely solely on the reservation line.

Things to Look Out for When Traveling With your Dog

• Verify the Rules

Various hotels seem to have random rules.  Some have a total weight limit (combined two or more dogs), a very low weight limit (under 25 pounds), or a seemingly borderline large dog weight limit (under 85 pounds).

• Verify they are actually pet friendly to all dogs

We’ve run across hotels that proudly advertise they are “pet friendly” on their website only to discover during the reservation process that they only allow small dogs or may even have breed restrictions.

• Verify the pet policy at the hotel you will be staying at

Some professional reservation lines that will inform you of a hotel’s pet policy only to leave you to discover the actual policy is actually different when you arrive.  There are also hotel chains that allow dogs at certain locations but franchisees may not allow them at other locations.

• Verify the pet fees

Some hotels charge astronomical pet fees per day while others are very affordable or even free.  Some have a cap for longer stays and some charge extra for more than one dog.  Always be sure to ask before booking.

• Verify logistics

Along with verifying that there is a place to walk your dog, ask about where your room will be.  It’s easier to navigate ground floor rooms and rooms that are away from the elevator and exits, if your dog is a barker.

• Never plan to leave your dog alone in the room

Nearly all hotels have a policy that you cannot leave your pet alone in the room.  It’s best to follow this rule for many reasons, but if you absolutely have to leave your dog for a moment, you should plan to crate them for their own protection and to prevent them from escaping should housekeeping or your dog happen to open the door.

Free Pet Friendly Hotels

To help you plan your next trip, we’ve put together a list of national hotels that are typically free.  Please call the hotel you plan to stay at directly to verify charges before booking. We’ve discovered that local, privately owned hotels are also worth a try:

Pet Friendly Hotels:

These hotels charge a fee but are good to know about. Their fees vary depending on how long you stay so please be sure to call before you book so there are no surprises.

While traveling with your pet, to make them more comfortable, be sure to remember their:

• Pet bed
• Crate
• Blanket
• Leash and collar
• Chew toys
• Tags
• Normal food
• Dishes for food and water
• Spoon, if needed
• Potty bags
• Wet wipes
• Medications
• First aid kit
• Phone number for family vet
• Emergency phone numbers (contact info, vet where you will be traveling)

We hope you enjoy the next road trip you take with your best friend.  Please be sure to pass this information along to all your friends.

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