My Go-To Steps for Finding Places That Welcome My Furry Friend
Okay, so traveling with my dog is non-negotiable for me most of the time. Finding hotels that actually welcome pets, not just tolerate them, used to feel like a real chore. Over the years, I’ve kind of streamlined my own little process using the big booking websites. It’s not foolproof, but it works for me.
First thing I do, obviously, is punch in my destination and dates on whatever booking site I feel like using that day. They all pretty much work the same at the start.
Then comes the crucial part: filters. You gotta dive into those filter options. I immediately look for anything that says “Pets” or “Pet-Friendly”. Most sites have a checkbox for this somewhere, sometimes hidden under “Amenities” or “More Filters”. I check that box right away.
But here’s the catch: Just checking that box isn’t enough. I learned that the hard way once. Showed up, and they had a crazy weight limit my dog didn’t meet. So, checking the box just narrows down the list. It doesn’t guarantee a fit.
Digging Deeper into Hotel Rules
So, after I get that filtered list, my real work begins. I start clicking on the hotels that look promising. I completely ignore the general “pet-friendly” icon they show on the search results page for a moment.
What I look for is the hotel’s specific policy section. It’s usually buried somewhere on the hotel’s detail page on the booking site. Sometimes it’s under “Hotel Policies,” “Fine Print,” or “House Rules.” I have to actually read this stuff. I look for:
- Fees: Is it per night? Per stay? Is it refundable? These fees can add up fast.
- Weight/Size Limits: Super important. Lots of places say “pet-friendly” but mean “small dog friendly”.
- Number of Pets Allowed: Usually just one or two, good to know if you have multiple.
- Breed Restrictions: Less common, but some places have them.
- Restricted Areas: Can the pet be left alone in the room? Are they allowed in common areas?
Honestly, sometimes the booking site doesn’t even list all this detail. It might just say “Pets allowed on request. Charges may apply.” That’s a red flag for me that I need more info.
The Final Check: Making the Call
If the online details are vague, or if I just want to be 100% sure, I do something old-fashioned: I call the hotel directly. I find their actual phone number (usually takes a quick separate search) and talk to the front desk.
I just say, “Hi, I’m looking at booking a room through [Booking Site Name] for these dates, and I saw you’re listed as pet-friendly. I’m traveling with my dog, he’s a [Breed/Size], weighs about [Weight]. Can you confirm your current pet policy and any fees?”
This clears up any confusion. Booking site info can be outdated. The hotel staff know the real, current rules. Takes five minutes and saves potential headaches at check-in.
Only after I’ve done this digging and maybe made a call do I actually compare the remaining options based on price, location, and, importantly, the total cost including pet fees. Then I finally hit that book button, often adding a note in the reservation comments like “Traveling with one well-behaved dog” just so it’s clearly documented.
It feels like a few extra hoops to jump through, but doing this homework means me and my buddy can actually relax once we get there. No bad surprises.
