August 26 is National Dog Day and canines across the country and their owners are sure to celebrate, most likely on vacation. According to the ASPCA, between 70 and 80 million dogs make their homes with us, and each summer, according to AAA 88% of Americans travel by car, presumably so most of those families can take their dogs with them on their road trips. Hotels throughout the USA have realized that dogs are a part of people’s families, and have opened their doors wide open to welcome furry guests.
Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine (15 minutes from Portland), has been welcoming dogs and their families for more than 20 years with pampering and in-room amenities. The Inncredible Dog Package includes two nights’ stay for you and your dog, a signature Inn by the Sea dog bowl, an LL Bean dog bed customized with your furry friend’s name, nightly section from the gourmet pet menu for in-room dining or dining on the deck, and turndown service including a locally made dog treat from Growlin’ Gourmet. Oh, and don’t forget the 30-minute in-room doggie massage! The inn also has a dog foster program in partnership with the Animal Rescue League of Greater Portlandwherein they temporarily home rescue dogs – the feed, care and, most of all, love the dogs until they’re adopted. Who knows, you may find your next dog at the inn.
Dogs have taken a bite out of the Big Apple, and they’re enjoying the treat! On the Lower East Side, The Ludlow Hotel offers dog treats at the front desk, in-room pet bowls and dog walking services, not to mention a “secret” garden you can both enjoy together. Turndown service includes a Gemma bottle with flat water placed on a turndown mat at The Bowery Hotel, and a dog bowl to use the rest of the time in the hotel. At The Maritime Hotel in Chelsea, dog walking services are provided so that your pup is taken care of while you’re out exploring the city.
Both Gansevoort Park Avenue and Gansevoort Meatpacking roll out the welcome mat for their canine guests with complimentary dog amenities, including premium treats from the Barking Zoo, a dog bed, a mat with a monogram of your dog’s name, Fiji water, food and water bowls, and toys. Your dog will be ultra-stylish, too, with dog enhancements such as a personalized pet bed, a collar tag with “I am staying at the Gansevoort Park Avenue (or Meatpacking) NYC” and a puppy purse.
A bit further south, Sea Island, Ga. offers a package specially-designed for dogs – the Treat Your Pet to a Getaway. Inside your and your furry friend’s room at The Cloister or The Lodge you’ll find an oversized dog pillow, food and water bowls, and gourmet dog treats. Sea Island ups its game with an a la carte gourmet pet menu for in-room dining with fat-free, organic dishes such as the Crazy Dog, beef tips braised in veal essence.
Florida has gone to the dogs, and that’s not such a bad thing. At the Loews Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach, VIDs (Very Important Dogs) are welcomed with special amenities such as a special pet room service menu, toys, bedding and more. Nearby Fort De Soto is a perfect place to spend your days together – dogs are allowed nearly anywhere (on leash) within the 1,136-acre county park, and even have their own beach in which to frolic, Paw Playground.
In the heart of downtown Tampa, Le Méridien Tampa makes dogs feel right at home with in-room food and water bowls, mats and gourmet treats. The hotel’s rooms are spacious, too, perfect for a (quiet) game of fetch!
The Doggie Suite at the W Fort Lauderdale is the key to the hotel’s PAW (Pets Are Welcome) program. The suite is decked out with a fluffy in-room bed, snacks, toys, a Bark Box delivered to the room and a Tinkle Turf Pad on the balcony to avoid any accidents, though walking services are also available. A specially-crafted menu will have your dog’s nose working overtime: organic salmon filet with steamed asparagus, or a poached chicken breast with baby carrots, any pup?
One of the few dog-friendly hotels in Miami’s South Beach is Stanton South Beach, right on Ocean Drive and within close proximity to outdoor restaurants and pet-friendly parks for you and your pup to see and be seen.
Upon arrival at both Canyon Ranch locations, in Lenox, Mass., and Tucson, Ariz., dogs and their owners are presented with a complimentary gift basket filled with a small bag of treats, a toy and a Canyon Ranch leash. You and your canine friend can even meet with a pet communicator/medium to find out what’s going on in that mind behind the furry eyebrows.
Dogs are treated like royalty when they check into The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in Denver, Colo., with their own bed, bowl and a treat awaiting in their room upon arrival.
On the West Coast, the Hotel del Coronado goes over the top to welcome you and your dog. Upon arrival, a house-made treat is presented, and in your room, water and food bowls, placemats, a gourmet room service menu and waste bags can be found. Forget your bed, crate, leash or collar? No worries – The Del has it for you! Walking, grooming, dog-sitting and (hopefully not needed!) vet services are also available, and the dog beach is less than a mile away. Back at the hotel, the Sun Deck hosts Yappy Hour every Sunday from 4 – 5 p.m. Your dog can lap up complimentary Evianand y-appetizers (organic dog treats) while you sip a dog-inspired cocktail such as a Hair of the Dog, Greyhound, or Salty Dog. Cheers to you both!
When deciding just where to go with your four-legged friend, do a bit of research on BringFido.com. The website is a terrific resource for those traveling with dogs to find not only dog-friendly destinations, but attractions, restaurants, hotels and even events, all around the world.
Now that you know where you and your puppy pal are going, Milo’s Kitchen has a few tips to get her road ready: Go for a joy ride – to the park or a friend’s house – so that car rides can be associated with fun, too, not just a trip to the vet; be sure your dog’s crate is a “happy place,” somewhere she feels comfortable before heading out on the road; pamper your pup – some hotels offer puppy massage, but you can do it, too; and bring “home” with you – dogs like familiarity, so bring along her favorite blanket and toys so that the familiar scents are with you, too.
Pampered pooch travel may have been cemented when American Airlines introduced its First Class Pet Cabin with the launch of the A321T plane, which flies between Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) to New York (JFK). The airlines’ standard $125 carry-on fee can now include a reservation in the First Class Pet Cabin on a first-come, first-serve basis, if the dog’s owner is flying in first class, too. The small, ventilated compartment accommodates dogs in their kennels (standard rules apply) for takeoff and landing, and in-flight, your pup can sit with you on your lap or at your feet.
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