The best pet friendly hotels are the ones that clearly show their pet fee, pet type rules, weight limit, room restrictions, and unattended pet policy before you book. Kimpton, Motel 6, Best Western, Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt are useful chains to check first in North America, while Ovolo, Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Novotel, and ibis are helpful names to check across parts of Asia-Pacific and Europe. Every property can set its own rules, and local regulations may affect whether pets are allowed.
Quick hotel checks before booking:
- Best no-fee brand to check first: Kimpton
- Best budget chain to check first: Motel 6
- Best road-trip option: Best Western
- Best large hotel groups to search: Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt
- Useful Asia-Pacific names to check: Ovolo, Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood
- Useful Europe and Asia names to check: ibis, Novotel
- Always confirm: pet fee, pet size limit, number of pets, breed rules, room type, local regulations, and whether pets can be left alone
Important Note On Hotel Pet Rules
Hotel pet policies can vary even within the same hotel chain. Before booking, check the exact property’s current rules because pet access may depend on:
- Country or city regulations: local laws may limit where pets can stay.
- Property rules: one hotel may allow pets while another location under the same brand may not.
- Room type: pets may only be allowed in selected rooms, floors, or buildings.
- Pet type: some hotels allow dogs but not cats, or require approval for other animals.
- Size, breed, or weight limits: restrictions may apply even when the hotel is listed as pet friendly.
- Number of pets: some hotels allow only one or two pets per room.
- Fees and deposits: pet fees, cleaning fees, or refundable deposits can vary by property.
- Unattended pet rules: some hotels allow pets to be left alone only if crated, while others do not allow it at all.
Always confirm the hotel’s current pet policy directly before booking, especially for international stays.
Pet Friendly Hotel Chains To Check First
Kimpton Hotels
Kimpton is one of the clearest pet friendly hotel chains because it welcomes pets with no additional pet charge, no deposit, no size or weight limit, and no limit on the number of pets allowed. Kimpton also lists pet-bed loaners, bowls, mats, nearby pet-friendly recommendations, door hangers, and walking bags.
Check these details before booking:
- Pet fee: no additional pet charge
- Deposit: no pet deposit required
- Size or weight limit: none listed by the brand
- Helpful extras: pet beds, bowls, mats, walking bags, and local recommendations
- Still confirm: room rules, damage policies, and property-specific details
Motel 6
Motel 6 is a strong budget option for travelers looking for hotels that allow pets. Motel 6 says service animals and well-behaved pets stay free, while Studio 6 locations require a $10 per day pet fee up to $100 per stay.
Check these details before booking:
- Pet fee: pets usually stay free at Motel 6
- Studio 6 fee: $10 per day, up to $100 per stay
- Pet behavior: pets must be well-behaved
- Local rules: some places may restrict pets other than service animals
Best Western
Best Western is useful for road trips because it has many pet friendly hotels and a published pet policy. Best Western says pet-friendly hotels allow up to two domestic dogs per rented room, with a maximum size of 80 lb per animal. Other pet types, including cats and birds, may be allowed at the discretion of each property with prior approval.
Check these details before booking:
- Dog limit: up to two domestic dogs
- Weight limit: up to 80 lb per animal
- Other pets: property approval required
- Possible fee: pet charges may apply
- Still confirm: policies vary by hotel
Hilton
Hilton is especially useful in the U.S. and Canada, where it lists over 5,000 hotels welcoming four-legged guests. Fees apply and vary by hotel, so check the individual property before booking.
Check these details before booking:
- Pet type: dogs and cats may be accepted at many properties
- Fee: varies by hotel
- Best region to search: U.S. and Canada
- Still confirm: size limit, pet count, room type, and unattended pet rules
Marriott
Marriott has many pet-friendly properties, but there is no single rule for every stay. Marriott’s support page says not all hotels have the same rules for pet accommodations, so guests should check the individual property policy before booking.
Check these details before booking:
- Pet fee: varies by property
- Pet type: may vary by hotel
- Weight limit: may vary by hotel
- Room rules: may vary by property
- Best step: check the specific hotel page and confirm directly
Hyatt
Hyatt offers pet-friendly hotels in many destinations, with participating properties setting their own policies and amenities. Some hotels may offer pet programs, pet beds, or other pet extras, but details vary by property.
Check these details before booking:
- Pet-friendly options: available at participating hotels
- Possible extras: pet programs and pet amenities
- Policy details: vary by property
- Still confirm: fee, weight limit, number of pets, and room access
Pet Friendly Hotel Chains By Region
Asia-Pacific
Ovolo Hotels is a strong option for dog-friendly city stays in destinations such as Australia, Hong Kong, and Bali. Its V.I.Pooch offer is designed for dog-friendly accommodation and includes pet-focused extras, while long stays with dogs are assessed case by case.
Ascott, Citadines, lyf, and Oakwood are useful names to check for serviced-apartment style pet stays in Asia, especially Singapore. Ascott announced expanded pet-friendly options at lyf one-north Singapore, joining Citadines Balestier Singapore, Citadines Raffles Place Singapore, and Oakwood Studios Singapore.
Novotel and ibis are also worth checking across parts of Asia-Pacific. Some properties offer pet-friendly rooms or pet stay packages, but policies remain property-specific. Novotel Manila Araneta City, for example, has a Novopets Staycation offer with pet extras and a dedicated pet relief area.
North America
For North America, start with Kimpton, Motel 6, Best Western, Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt. Kimpton is the strongest no-fee brand to check first, Motel 6 is useful for budget road trips, and Hilton lists thousands of pet-friendly hotels across the U.S. and Canada.
Europe
For Europe, ibis and Novotel are useful names to check. ibis says pet-friendly rooms can welcome dogs or cats, with bowls, beds, and treats available at reception subject to availability. Novotel also promotes pet-friendly stays at selected hotels.
Kimpton and Best Western can also be good options where available, but the individual property policy should always be the final check.
What Pet Friendly Really Means At Hotels
Pet friendly does not always mean every pet is allowed. A hotel may welcome dogs but not cats. Another may accept small pets only. Some properties allow pets in selected rooms, while others limit access to public areas.
Common hotel pet rules include:
- Dog-only policies
- Cat-friendly policies with approval
- Weight limits
- Breed restrictions
- Limits on the number of pets per room
- Pet fees or cleaning fees
- Refundable or non-refundable deposits
- Restricted room types or floors
- Rules for leaving pets alone
Ask the hotel directly before booking, then save the written confirmation.
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Hotel Pet Fees And Restrictions To Check
A hotel’s pet fee can change the real cost of a stay. Some properties charge per night, some charge per stay, and some charge a cleaning fee or refundable deposit.
Before booking a pet friendly hotel, check:
- Pet fee
- Refundable or non-refundable deposit
- Weight limit
- Breed restrictions
- Number of pets per room
- Dog-only or cat-friendly policy
- Room type restrictions
- Whether pets can be left alone
- Cleaning or damage charges
- Outdoor relief areas
- Public area rules
A short message to the hotel can prevent awkward check-in surprises. Include your pet’s type, breed, weight, and number of pets.
Can Pets Be Left Alone In Hotel Rooms?
Some hotels allow pets to be left alone only if they are crated. Others do not allow unattended pets at all. Some ask guests to leave a phone number with the front desk in case the pet becomes noisy or distressed.
Ask these questions before booking:
- Can pets be left alone in the room?
- Does the pet need to be crated?
- Will housekeeping enter if a pet is inside?
- Is there a pet-in-room sign or door hanger?
- What happens if the pet barks or causes damage?
This matters if you plan to eat at a restaurant, visit an attraction, or attend an event where pets are not allowed.
How To Book A Pet Friendly Hotel
Book directly when the hotel policy is unclear. Booking filters are helpful, but they may not show the full pet rules.
A clean booking flow:
- Search for pet friendly hotels
- Read the individual property policy
- Call or message the hotel directly
- Confirm pet type, weight, fee, room rules, and unattended pet policy
- Ask whether the policy has changed recently
- Save written confirmation
- Recheck before arrival
For wider travel planning, see how to travel with pets.
What To Pack For A Hotel Stay With Pets
Hotel stays are easier when your pet has familiar items and the room stays clean.
Pack:
- Leash and collar with ID tag
- Food and water bowls
- Familiar bed or blanket
- Waste bags or litter supplies
- Towel or grooming wipes
- Crate or carrier
- Pet medication
- Vaccination records, if requested
- Pet-safe cleaning supplies
- Recent photo of your pet
Keep a towel or blanket between your pet and hotel furniture unless the hotel clearly allows pets on beds or sofas.
Tips For Staying In A Hotel With Pets
Small habits make pet stays smoother for staff, guests, and your pet.
- Ask for a lower-floor room if your pet needs frequent walks
- Check nearby grass, parks, or walking areas
- Keep pets quiet in hallways and shared spaces
- Use the hotel’s pet door hanger where available
- Bring familiar bedding to reduce stress
- Clean up after your pet immediately
- Avoid letting pets on furniture unless allowed
- Keep your pet leashed or carried in public areas
Respecting hotel rules helps keep more rooms open to future pet travelers.
Useful Sites For Finding Pet Friendly Hotels
Hotel brand websites are the best place to confirm final rules, but pet travel directories can help build a shortlist.
Useful places to check:
- Hotel brand websites
- Hotel booking filters
- BringFido
- Petswelcome
- Google Maps reviews
- Direct hotel messages
BringFido lists over 500,000 places to stay, play, and eat with dogs. Use directories for discovery, then confirm the policy directly with the hotel.
Keep Hotel Details Easy To Access
Pet-friendly stays depend on small details: policy screenshots, booking confirmation, front desk messages, dog park routes, vet clinic searches, and saved documents. Those details are easier to manage when mobile data works as soon as you arrive.
Eskimo is practical for multi-country trips because its Global Plan works across over 100 countries and fixed data plans include 2-year validity. The same eSIM can be used again for future trips, so there is no need to reinstall a new eSIM each time.
For setup before departure, see international travel data basics (link: eSIM for International Travel: How It Works and How to Get One). New users can also get free 500MB of Global Data, with no credit card required for the free trial.
FAQs
What hotel chains are pet friendly?
Kimpton, Motel 6, Best Western, Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt are good hotel chains to check first. For Asia-Pacific and Europe, also check Ovolo, Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, ibis, and Novotel. Policies vary by country and property.
Are pet friendly hotels always dog friendly?
Usually, but not always. Some hotels allow dogs only under certain weight, breed, or room-type rules. Others may accept service animals but not regular pets.
Do pet friendly hotels allow cats?
Some do. Hilton has cat-friendly accommodation options, and some Best Western properties may accept cats with prior approval. Always confirm directly because many hotel pet policies are written mainly for dogs.
Do hotels charge pet fees?
Many hotels charge pet fees, cleaning fees, or deposits. Kimpton is a strong exception because its brand policy lists no additional pet charge and no deposit. Other hotels may charge per night, per stay, or per room.
Can I leave my pet alone in a hotel room?
It depends on the hotel. Some hotels allow pets to be left alone only if they are crated. Others do not allow unattended pets. Ask before booking, especially if you plan to visit places where pets cannot enter.
How do I know if a hotel really allows pets?
Check the hotel’s own policy page, then call or message the property directly. Ask about pet type, size, fee, number of pets, breed rules, room type, local regulations, and unattended pet rules. Save the reply.
What should I bring when staying in a hotel with a pet?
Bring a leash, collar with ID tag, food and water bowls, familiar bedding, waste bags or litter supplies, towel, wipes, crate or carrier, medication, vaccination records if needed, and pet-safe cleaning supplies.
