We've come up with 5 ways to travel with your pet.
#1. Advance booking is key. When you set an arrival date, you should book ahead. The site Booking.com is great, as it allows you to filter search results by those that are pet-friendly. But be sure to read the fine print. Some places say they're pet-friendly but require prior approval. Or you’ll arrive and find that they only permit small dogs. Specify that you’ll have your well-behaved pup with you, and call before booking if you have doubts.
#2. Local hotels are more flexible. While some, such as Kimpton and La Quinta, are pet-friendly, many are not, and they tend to have stricter policies that are applied across the entire chain. Local hotels or regional chains are sometimes more open to bending the rules (or creating new ones on the spot).
#3. Show and tell. Because not everyone’s a dog-lover, it often helps to share a bit about your dog. For example “She’s well-behaved, trained, does not bark and will not go to the bathroom inside.” If the staff is still unsure, give them a little show never hurts. Just showcase a few tricks to demonstrate that she listens and obeys commands.
#4. Get references before leaving. Before leaving a hotel, ask a member of the staff to write a short review about your stay on company letterhead. Show this whenever you need to do a bit more persuading. Having a reference from another hotel is a great way to establish your credibility and prove that your pup does not cause problems.
#5. Don't forget the do hair! Dogs tend to leave behind piles of hair wherever they go. This can be a major put-off for hotels, which have to deal with it after you leave. Try brushing your dog before your stay, and travel with a pet brush. This will help reduce the amount of hair he or she leaves behind.