April 17, 2007

Pet Friendly Lodging

With the summer travel months approaching, many of us are starting to make vacation plans away from home. For those who find it unthinkable to leave their pet behind, or don't have satisfactory pet-sitting arrangements, there are plenty of hotels that provide quality, pet-friendly accommodations.

According to an article in March 30, 2007 New York Times:

In a culture in which dogs and cats have become surrogate children (and grandchildren) and are sometimes better dressed than their owners, a growing number of hotels and resorts have welcomed four-legged guests in recent years, including the Four Seasons, the Ritz-Carlton, the Loews and the Kimpton hotels. But now, several luxury condominiums and private residence clubs are taking pet-friendly policies further by offering services and amenities that rival those meant for humans, including grooming sessions, swim classes, massage treatments (no mere belly-scratch) and even a doggie psychic.
"There's easily been a 300 percent increase in the number of lodgings accepting pets in the last three years," said Derek Welsh, president of BringYourPet.com, a Web site devoted to peripatetic pets and their humans. "The trend is definitely shifting toward higher-end hotels. In order to truly compete, they are going above and beyond with amenities, trying to one-up the competitor."

For a directory for pet friendly hotels, motels, B&Bs, resorts and cabins listed by state, go to BringYourPet.com

Read More in: Cats | Dogs | Pet Sitting and Services | Summer | Travel