The VIP was greeted effusively by the hotel staff and found special amenities and treats in her hotel room.
But at the newly renovated Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown, this VIP was our 12-pound rescue pup Loni, who found a dog bed, toy, dog biscuits, and even a welcome note in our room.
We were at the tail end of a nearly 3,000-mile road trip that took us from Denver to California and back, and we found dog-friendly accommodations, eateries, hiking trails, and more, everywhere we went.
There were as many pooches as bikes on the nine-block section of the car-free State Street Promenade in Santa Barbara, which included lots of outdoor seating from restaurants and cafes where dogs were welcome. We were staying nearby at the dog-friendly Kimpton Canary Hotel (great rooftop pool and the popular farmer’s market is right out front). We loved their complimentary wine hour, as well as the fact there wasn’t a fee for our pooch and they offered a list of pet-friendly businesses nearby. Loni loved the pet bed and the food and water bowls, especially when we put food and water in them. LOL!
“Kimpton is a huge standout when it comes to pet amenities,” said Kim Salerno, creator of TripswithPets.com, noting that a growing number of hotel brands have become pet friendly. (Check TripswithPets for brands and pet policies.)
We discovered the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden was popular with local dog owners and their four-legged friends, as well as local and visiting families. (We especially loved the four-acre area for kids and that there are all native California plants here. (Loni found plenty to sniff!)
Last summer in Chicago, we took a dog-friendly Mercury Cruise on Lake Michigan and stayed at the dog-friendly Four Seasons (great amenities for kids as well as pets) and the Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown overlooking Lake Michigan.
And in Cambria, California, along the central coast known as SLO CAL, there were plenty of pooch-friendly lodgings. (We opted for Cambria Pines Lodge close to the famous Moonstone Beach and picturesque downtown Cambria.) Loni enjoyed the walk along the beach’s boardwalk as much as we did, though in Santa Cruz the next day as we made our way north to San Francisco, she didn’t like the popular dog beach and raced back up the steps. Luckily, a passerby caught her before my husband could get to her.
More happily in SLO CAL, we took Loni on an Estero Bay electric boat ride in Morro Bay (great place to spy sea life and sea birds) and to a fabulous fish and chips lunch on the patio of local favorite Tognazzini’s Dockside Too where Loni appreciated the occasional fry tossed her way.
“SLO CAL is an extremely dog-centric destination,” said Lisa Marie Belsanti, a spokesman for the expansive San Luis Obispo County region. “Sometimes it seems there are more dogs than people,” she joked.
It’s not surprising to me that pet owners are traveling more with their dogs (and cats) as more hotels and campgrounds (some complete with dog parks) welcome pets. In fact, the recent Kampgrounds of America annual report noted that more than half of campers choose to camp with their dogs, outpacing the number who choose to camp with family members.
Ragged Point. Courtesy of Eileen Ogintz
Airbnb’s latest Spring Trends report highlights a 40 percent increase in searches for trips with pets this spring by solo travelers. Compared to last spring, searches for trips with pets have risen by 30 percent, with solo travelers experiencing the most significant increase of more than 40 percent.
“Pets are increasingly accompanying travelers, from Gen Z to empty-nesters, prompting businesses to offer pet-inclusive hotel and flight experiences, as highlighted by the Allianz Partners Vacation Confident Index from 2024,” said Sekia Harris, Allianz Partners Social Media and Reputation Manager.
From 2023 to 2024, Hilton.com searches for pet-friendly hotel options doubled year-over-year, ranking among the top 10 most used search filter terms and is also the fourth highest in search-to-stay conversion.
No wonder Hilton welcomes pets and their humans at more than 5,000 pet-friendly properties globally, making it one of the most pet-friendly hospitality brands with unique amenities in the world. At Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton (Key Largo, Florida), pets are invited to splash with their humans in the warm waters of Florida Bay and nap under the shade of the pet tikis. And at the HALL Arts Hotel Dallas, Curio collection by Hilton (Dallas, Texas), there are pet-friendly patios, grooming services, pet-sitting, and a special squeaker toy and bandana.
It seems as with amenities for families, hotels, and entire cities with pet-friendly areas on their websites (including Cleveland, Ohio, with a plethora of dog-friendly hotels and even dog-friendly breweries) are trying to one-up each other with pet amenities. The Hard Rock Hotel New York has launched the Unleashed Pet Package, complete with a doggie shirt and a bag of freshly baked treats, as well as a curated guide to where to take your dog in the Big Apple. The Four Seasons New York, and elsewhere, offers special pet room service menus. (How about chopped chicken with spinach, carrots, and rice?)
This summer, one lucky pet (and two of their favorite humans) will get a $5,000, four-day, three-night stay at a dog-friendly hotel anywhere through a Spot Pet Insurance sweepstakes.
Certainly, it is cheaper to travel with your pets rather than boarding them, though hotel fees can vary widely, said Salerno. She suggested checking the hotel’s pet policies in advance as some limit the size, breed, and number of dogs.
While more pet owners travel with their pets on road trips, a growing number (68 percent of dog owners and 80 percent of cat owners) have flown with them, according to a 2024 report from the American Pet Products Association. Significantly, 22 percent of dog owners have taken them on three or more flights, up nine percent from just two years prior and despite fees.
Her website and others, including BringFido.com (book accommodations directly on the site), PetsWelcome.com (helps users plan dog-friendly road trips), and TopDogPetTravel.com (specializes in creating custom vacation packages for pet owners) make planning a pet-friendly getaway a lot easier.
But sometimes dog owners, like traveling parents of young kids, need to be more mindful of those around them. In Cambria, the popular restaurant Robin’s, celebrating its 40th anniversary, added very popular dog-friendly garden patio seating during the covid pandemic. “There are many more people who dine with their pets than ever,” said Shanny Covey, the restaurant’s co-owner. “Honestly, there are days where there are too many pets and pet owners feel entitled to dine with their dog anywhere they want.”
Just like those traveling with kids, I guess.
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