The best pet-friendly hotels in the US

• More and more boutique and high-end accommodations are making it easy to overnight with four-legged friends.
• Pet-friendly perks include plush pet beds, fresh-baked dog treats, in-house dog parks, and even "yappy" hours.
• Hotels are affordable but high end, with price points ranging from $126 to $365 nightly.
• Read more: Is it safe to stay in a hotel right now? An infectious disease doctor, a cleaning expert, and hotel reps all share what you should know before you check-in.

The best journeys are those where a loved one is along for the ride. But when that loved one has four legs and a whole lot of fur, it can be a challenge just finding a place to stay that loves your pet as much as you.

Over my last decade as a professional dog trainer, I've had a variety of experiences with pet-friendly motels, which provide clean rooms at a reasonable price, but are a far cry from the kind of luxurious stays that make vacations special.

Luckily, many properties across the US have begun to not just welcome pets but to offer them perks of their own, with dog-friendly "yappy hours," plush dog beds, and fresh-baked treats, among other amenities.

As hotels continue to reopen following shutdowns due to the novel coronavirus, many travelers are eager to get back out there but want to ensure it is safe to travel. Many pet owners are also hesitant to leave dogs with boarders or have sitters stay in their homes right now, making a pet-friendly getaway or road trip especially appealing.

Before booking, it's important to understand the risks associated with travel, and hotels specifically. Without a vaccine, there is no guarantee of safety and it's crucial to follow guidelines from organizations such as the CDC and WHO, and wear a mask, wash your hands, and maintain social distancing. We've also noted new COVID-19 policies for the hotels below, but it may also be wise to read up on hotel brands' cleaning procedures and cancellation policies.

That said, moonlighting as a travel writer over the past few years, I've had the opportunity to get up close and personal with various exceptional pet programs at hotels from California to Maine.

Some of my favorite pet-friendly stays have made this list, while others I've selected based on the following criteria:

1. All have extensive pet programs with serious perks for four-legged friends from their own dog menus on restaurants to being welcomed with treats and their own bed.
2. All hotels included are well-reviewed by Trip Advisor, Booking.com, and BringFido.com, an online travel advisor for the furry kind.
3. Hotels are affordable but high-end, with prices ranging from $126 to $365 per night to start.

These are locations your pet will love exploring, including tranquil mountains and vibrant city streets, and are sure to make both you and your pets feel at home without exceeding your travel budget.

Keep reading to discover some of the best pet-friendly hotels, sorted by price from low to high.

1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arizona

Book the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa starting at $126 per night

High above the Victorian Village of Eureka Springs in the Ozark Mountains looms this historic Arkansas resort. Perhaps the South's most famous haunted hotel, the 1886 Crescent welcomes dogs and cats, perhaps for added protection against the property's ghostly residents.

In addition to its otherworldly pedigree, the Crescent is a friendly mountain retreat chock full of outdoor adventure. There is a bucolic 1.4-mile loop trail that begins and ends at the hotel's door, and more challenging dog-friendly hiking trails are located just a few miles away.

A five-minute walk from the hotel, the Eureka Springs Bark Park gives dogs of all sizes (small and large pups are separated) the chance to socialize. Back on the grounds of the Crescent, pups can cheer on their bocce balling, disco golfing, fireside wine-sipping guardians at the new outdoor Frisco Sporting Club.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 12 out of 35 hotels in Eureka Springs

Booking.com Rating: 8.1 out of 10

Pros: A Victorian-era resort where pets can explore the Ozark Mountains by day and protect their guardians against the hotel's haunted residents by night.

Cons: There are no specific pet-friendly in-room amenities, and there is a $35 per pet, per night fee.

COVID-19 policies: This hotel is currently open with new protocols in place, including:

• Daily temperature checks for all staff.
• Staff must wear PPE at all times.
• Hand sanitizer dispensers placed at key guest and employee entrances and contact areas.
• Use of cleaning products that meet EPA guidelines and are approved for use and effective against viruses.
• Guests are required to wear masks in the lobby.
• Rooms will not be serviced during stays.
• Plexiglas shields placed at the front desk.
• Dine-in service limited, including indoor and outdoor dining areas.
• See more info here.

Adobe and Pines Inn in Taos, New Mexico

Book the Adobe and Pines Inn starting at $128 per night

This Taos bed and breakfast steeped in Southwestern style is listed among Trip Advisor's rare five-star properties and with good reason. At the Adobe and Pines Inn, rest and relaxation are intended for all guests — pets included. The historic hacienda (which dates back to the 1830s) is surrounded by lush hammock-strung gardens, an outdoor fire ring, and a meditative labyrinth.

Whether you're breakfasting in the courtyard or stargazing from your private deck, your pet will never have to leave your side. That is unless they want to. Like the owner's pets, well-behaved pups can explore the grounds off-leash (under supervision). Further afield, find dog-friendly hiking trails, including the mile-long out-and-back to the picturesque, riverside Manby Hot Springs. 

Trip Advisor Ranking: 1 out of 2 B&Bs in Ranchos de Taos

Booking.com Rating: 9.8 out of 10

Pros: This dreamy adobe getaway is surrounded by lush courtyards and gardens for maximum relaxation and dog-friendly hiking trails for maximum adventure.

Cons: There is a $25 per pet fee, and dogs must be crated when left alone in the room.

COVID-19 policies: This hotel is currently closed but accepting reservations for May 2021. All of the guest rooms and casitas have private entrances from the garden or portal and do not share indoor hallways or entrance areas with other rooms. New procedures will also include:

• Designated employees to focus on sanitizing.
• Routinely cleaning all frequently touched surfaces throughout the property and sanitizing commonly used surfaces throughout the day.
• Booking rooms with a three-day unoccupied buffer.
• See more info here.

The Line LA in Los Angeles, California

Book The Line LA starting at $129 per night

The Line LA is one of our top picks in Los Angeles, and that's before you factor in that pets are welcome with no added fee.

Dogs and cats are welcome for free with no weight limits. Front desk staff are eager to help with recommendations on the best neighborhood walks, parks, and animal-friendly restaurants. Plus, the hotel is just cool, with an industrial-chic vibe, a lively pool and bar scene, and rooms regularly priced under $300 per night. If you like the vibe, they also have hotels in DC and Austin with similar perks.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 70 out of 392 hotels in LA

Booking.com Rating: 8.0 out of 10

Pros: Cool, unique, and buzzworthy hotel that welcomes pets at no extra charge.

Cons: Rooms might feel small for you and your pup for the price.

COVID-19 policies: This hotel is currently closed due to the pandemic and has not yet set a date for reopening.

Virgin Hotels Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Book Virgin Hotels Chicago starting at $129 per night

I'm a big fan of Virgin's hip-but-quirky hotels and the Chicago property earns top pet-friendly marks for not charging an extra fee for four-legged guests. It's also one of our top overall hotels in Chicago.

Located steps from the Magnificent Mile and Lake Michigan, Chicago's sophisticated Virgin Hotel is decked in whimsical touches like the porcelain pups that keep watch outside the door of every pet-friendly room. Inside, cozy plush dog beds, food and water dishes, a dog-sized Virgin Hotel bandana, and plenty of treats await each lucky four-legged guest.

Some of the hotel's best pet-friendly amenities though take place outside your private chambers. These are Chicago-specific details that other Virgin properties don't (yet) offer. Virgin's dog birthday parties are legendary, but even if it's not your pup's special day, the hotel still has a few tricks up their sleeve. On the patio, "Puppies Who Lunch" menus are served daily and guardians who bring their pets to a seasonal "Yappy Hour" are rewarded with a complimentary cocktail.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 13 out of 210 hotels in Chicago

Booking.com Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Pros: Chicago's stylishly fun Virgin Hotel pulls out all the stops for their furry guests, including in-room amenities, seasonal Yappy Hours, and legendary dog birthday parties. Better yet, there is no additional pet fee.

Cons: Some rooms are small and guests have complained of noise from the subway and rooftop bar, which might also disturb some pets unaccustomed to city life.

COVID-19 policies: The hotel is currently open with new safety policies in place that include:

• All staff members have been trained and given guidance to deliver heightened hygiene standards. 
• Housekeeping service is available upon request only.
• Hand sanitizers are located throughout the hotel for all visitors.
• Any area where guests line up will be clearly marked for appropriate physical distancing.
• Pool deck seating will be clearly marked to provide for at least six feet of separation between groups of guests.
• Room attendants will not service rooms when the guest is physically present.
• See more info here.

Kimpton Alexis Hotel in Seattle, Washington

Book the Kimpton Alexis Hotel starting at $159 per night 

With its muted color palette, natural detail, and curated local art, Seattle's Kimpton Alexis Hotel beautifully invokes the approachable luxury of the Pacific Northwest.

I'm always impressed by how Kimpton properties welcome pets with no additional charge, size or weight limit, or deposit needed.

The hotel boasts understated style, friendly staff, and an ideal location a block from the Elliot Bay waterfront downtown. The super-helpful concierge was ready with a list of recommendations for local parks, dog-friendly restaurants and boutiques, and my dog and I both felt right at home. Plus, our room was stocked with a cozy pet bed, food and water bowls, and complimentary poop bags. Neither of us could resist the downstairs "yappy hour," where the wine was always free, and the dog treats were unlimited.

Trip AdvisorRating: 7 out of 117 hotels in Seattle

Booking.com Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Pros: A bastion of Pacific Northwest style in downtown Seattle that's exceedingly pet-friendly with no additional fee. Pet activities are abundant, including a nightly dog-friendly wine reception in the hotel lobby. 

Cons: Lower floors can be noisy from busy downtown traffic, which can be bothersome to both humans and pets.

COVID-19 policies: This hotel is currently open. As part of IHG, it will be following the hotel group's updated policies, which include:

• Face coverings required in all public areas.
• Increased frequency for cleaning of public areas and high-touch points in guest rooms.
• Use of cleaning products effective against viruses.
• Food and beverage service is continuously reviewed in accordance with official recommendations. 
• See more info here.

The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin in Nantucket, Massachusettes

Book The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin starting at $165 per night

The Cottages in Nantucket have a special set of accommodations just for those traveling with four-legged friends aptly called the Woof Cottages.

Visitors to The Cottages will love the feeling the property inspires of being on a boat. The multi-bedroom cottages are perched right on the docks at the foot of town and include gorgeous water views. Especially ideal in the age of social distancing, all accommodations on the property are standalone and offer private entrances. 

The Woof Cottages are tastefully decorated with a gentle nod towards the nautical theme in a blue and white color palette. They feature large sitting areas, multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, brick fireplaces for getting cozy, and private porches right on the water.

Guests traveling with pets receive a welcome bag of nautical chew toys and treats, a dog bed, food and water bowls, and personalized pet tags. Doggie turndown service is also included by request. There's even a special pet concierge, helmed by the property's beloved golden retriever, Bailey. Though there's certainly a focus on dogs, all types of animals are welcome and the property has been known to host pets from rabbits to well-trained pigs in the past.  

Trip Advisor Ranking: 13 out of 34 B&Bs in Nantucket

Booking.com Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Pros: This property is the closest you can get to feeling like you're staying on a boat without actually being on one thanks to its right-on-the-docks location. Standalone cottages with private entrances and full kitchens are ideal for social distancing.

Cons: This property is only open seasonally and is closed from November to April.

COVID-19 policies: This hotel is currently accepting reservations for stays beginning in April of 2021. For the upcoming season, the hotel will have new policies in place including:

• Increased vigilance and frequency in sanitizing and cleaning, especially public areas.
• Strict practices in food handling and preparation.
• Initiating health policies for both employees and guests to ensure a safe environment for all.
• Ensuring employees stay informed on CDC best practices.

Bobby Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee

Book the Bobby Hotel starting at $183 per night

With awards from Conde Nast and the Nashville Scene, the Bobby Hotel is a hip boutique hotel in the heart of downtown with no additional pet fee.

The warm welcome starts with Sasha, the hotel's pet ambassador who is on hand to greet arriving guests. After check-in, take a walk to Riverfront Dog Park or down Broadway, Nashville's musical main strip; Bobby's concierge can give you the down-low on which establishments allow pets.

Like Sasha, canine guests are welcome in most areas of the hotel, including the rooftop lounge which has been transformed into a Nordic village for winter. There and throughout the hotel, canine guests can select their own gourmet meals from a special menu prepared by executive chef Jeff Axline. When it's time to head back to the room, your pup can choose a treat or toy from the well-stocked minibar.  

Trip Advisor Ranking: 12 out of 200 hotels in Nashville

Booking.com Rating: 9.1 out of 10

Pros: A hip, stylish hotel in downtown Nashville that caters to canines nearly everywhere on property, from the rooftop lounge to the in-room minibar, and there is no additional pet fee.

Cons: While dogs are permitted in most places, there are not allowed in the pool area or on-site restaurant, The Tavern.

COVID-19 policies: This hotel is open and accepting new reservations. Updated procedures include:

• Partnering with cleanliness experts from Ecolab for new housekeeping processes that include EPA certified products that go above and beyond CDC guidelines.
• Cleaning all common surfaces every 2 hours.
• Any paper materials have been removed from the guestroom ahead of stays.
• Housekeeping services will be minimized and adjusted to best fit guest needs and comfort levels.
• See more info here.

Hotel Columbia in Telluride, Colorado

Book the Hotel Columbia starting at $309 per night

Located directly across the street from the gondola that takes skiers (and in warmer months, hikers) up the mountain, the boutique Hotel Columbia does comfortable luxury effortlessly well with in-room fireplaces, rustic furnishings, and plush linens. 

The staff welcomes dogs with enthusiasm, and furry friends are treated to gourmet elk jerky and a cozy bed of their own. But what your pup may enjoy most is Telluride's wide selection of dog-friendly hiking trails and walking paths, two of which — the Bear Creek Trail and Sneffels Highline Trail — are just a stone's throw from the lobby. The concierge can also connect guests to groomers, pet-supply shops, and a variety of local essentials.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 2 out of 10 hotels in Telluride

Booking.com Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Pros: This boutique hotel does cozy mountain luxury right, thanks to pet-friendly perks and access to outdoor activities your dog will love. Breakfast is included.

Cons: The hotel can be noisy due to its central location and there is a $30 per day pet fee.

COVID-19 policies: The hotel is currently open and running at 75% capacity. Additionally, the hotel has implemented new procedures including:

• Face masks required in all public areas.
• Common areas disinfected multiple times per day.
• Between stays, every room is cleaned with disinfectant chemicals recommended by the CDC and EPA.
• Supervisors utilize a hospital-grade disinfectant on all high-touch areas. 
• Breakfast is room service, rather than a buffet. Guests can make their breakfast selections the night prior and it will be delivered during a specified time slot.
• Rooms are not serviced by housekeeping during stays. 
• PPE is available for all guests and hand sanitizer is located throughout the hotel.
• Plexiglass shields have been installed at the front desk.
• See more info here.

Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Book the Inn by the Sea starting at $312 per night

This classic resort on the spectacular Maine coast is a love letter to New England beachside towns. Suites have private outdoor patios, stunning views, gas-burning fireplaces, and soaking tubs. The Inn by the Sea has also been a leader in pet-friendly hospitality for over 20 years. 

Four-legged guests are welcomed with cozy blankets, beach towels, water bowls, and signature treats at turndown service, and all of it for no extra pet fee. There is also a gourmet pet food, dog walking and sitting services, and a pet-friendly state beach right outside that allows dogs from October through March (the rest of the year, the concierge can recommend other local dog-friendly beaches).

For dog lovers that arrive pet-free (or with friendly pups), an adoptable shelter dog is always on-site and ready for walks and playtime with guests. Around 45 lucky dogs each year find their forever families with the inn's help.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 1 out of 1 hotel in Cape Elizabeth

Booking.com Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Pros: This luxury beachside resort treats its canine guests like family, with walking and sitting services, a gourmet dog food menu, and dog-friendly beach. Adoptable shelter dogs are on-site for walks and play with dog-loving guests and there is no additional pet fee.

Cons: Dogs are only allowed on the beach outside the hotel off-season, from October through March.

COVID-19 policies: The inn is currently open and has updated policies that include:

• Touchless curbside check-in.
• Social distancing guidelines will be observed for seating at the pool, outdoor decks, and throughout the resort.
• New spacing and sanitation guidelines for both indoor and outdoor dining at Sea Glass restaurant.
• All team members will be wearing face masks.
• Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) will be available for guests, including gloves, masks, hand sanitizer.
• Housekeeping services by request only.
• See more info here.

Nick's Cove in Marshall, California

Book Nick's Cove Cottages starting at $365 per night

Nick's Cove is a collection of rustically opulent cottages on the tranquil shores of Tomales Bay, just 60 miles north of San Francisco and pets are warmly welcomed.

I adore this historic property where you can frolic with your pup on the private beach or snuggle up to the outdoor firepit with a box of gourmet s'mores. Nick's features interesting amenities for adults, like a Merlot wine that comes from a collaboration with a local winery, while rooms have well-appointed kitchens, plush bathrobes, and heated tile floors. I loved dining at the on-site restaurant, where vegetables and herbs are sourced from the hotel's hillside farm. Nick's has mastered the balance between luxury and humility.

It's also a favorite for traveling with dogs thanks to house-baked dog treats, dog towels for wiping muddy puppy feet, and a map of nearby dog-friendly trails. Every dog seems just as thrilled about their stay as I was, especially in April when pooches are pampered with a canine massage, their own dog toys, and a stylish bandana Pet Appreciation Month. While Nick's is the most expensive of our list, the extra cost is well worth the idyllic location and superior hospitality for both you and your pet.

Trip Advisor Ranking: 1 out of 2 specialty lodgings in Marshall

Booking.com Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Pros: This Tomales Bay location is truly tranquil, as are the rustic-chic cottages, and private beach. Luxury perks pamper both dog and human, especially in April. Breakfast is included.

Cons: This hotel is the most expensive of our pet-friendly options with a starting rate just over $300 that doesn't include a $50 cleaning fee per pet.

COVID-19 policies: This hotel is currently open. While the on-site restaurant has updated policies outlined for takeout dining, no specific new procedures are listed yet for the hotel. We will update this listing as more info becomes available.