Take A Dog-Friendly Vacation At These U.S. Resorts And Hotels

26.03.2024 - 11:59 / forbes.com

When your vacation plans include a lot of time outdoors, you don’t want your favorite four-legged friend to be left behind. According to a recent survey by the American Pet Products Association, about 78 percent of pet owners travel with their dogs each year. It’s no longer uncommon to see dogs accompanying their owners on planes, and it’s estimated that 80 percent of Americans take a yearly road trip, making traveling with pets even easier.

What’s not easy is narrowing down the choices of pet-friendly hotels. Some merely charge you extra to bring a pet, while others go out of their way to pamper your furry friend. And of course the destination is all-important – you’ll want to know that there are plenty of places for your dog to romp and play.

Here are five hotels and resorts across the U.S. where dogs get the royal treatment in vacation spots that feel like their own personal playground.

The W brand is synonymous with luxury, and at the W Fort Lauderdale, that philosophy is extended to man (and woman’s) best friend. The hotel’s Bark & Bougie Dog Package is made for comfort and play. First, there’s a luxe dog sun lounger perfect for an afternoon snooze. Back inside, there’s a doggie dress up closet for stepping out in style. And of course, a dog’s life isn’t complete without treats – she’ll enjoy a barkuterie board and food served in a gold dog bowl. Fort Lauderdale itself welcomes pets to its parks (my favorite is Barkham Park inside of Markham Park) and on its beaches, where dogs can frolic in the waves or chase frisbees in the sand. And on Los Olas Boulevard, you’ll find several pet-friendly restaurants, all within walking distance of one other.

Be sure to review W Fort Lauderdale’s pet policies and go to Visit Lauderdale to discover all the things you can do and places you can go with your dog.

This breathtaking town may not be the easiest to get to (unless you score a flight into Telluride Airport), but you’ll never regret the drive from Montrose. Situated in a canyon, Telluride is postcard perfect, and most postcards feature dogs. That would be dogs with ski caps, dogs riding the gondola, and dogs happily panting near a water bowl at any number of restaurants in town. Telluride is known for being exceptionally dog-friendly, and The Hotel Telluride takes that to the next level. Ten percent of the nominal pet fee is donated to the Humane Society, and each pet receives a gift bag with organic treats upon check in. Pet owners are provided a handy informational packet of all places pet-friendly so there won’t be a guessing game every time you leave your room.

Trails abound in Telluride, but my favorite – especially for dogs – is the 5-mile Bear Creek Trail, which has a steady incline, grassy fields,