Can I bring my pet to any hotel?

No, only pet-friendly hotels. Even then, size, breed, and number restrictions apply.

  • Motel 6, Kimpton, Virgin Hotels: famously pet-friendly (no fees sometimes)
  • Most luxury hotels allow pets with $50 to $150 fee
  • Service animals (ADA-defined) must be allowed by law
  • Emotional support animals: no longer required to be accepted (2021 rule change)

Traveling soon? See our Travel Essentials page.

Want a deeper dive? ↓

Detailed Answer

How It Works

Hotels set their own pet policies and there is no law in any country requiring them to accept pets. Each property decides whether pets are welcome, which types and sizes are allowed, how many per room, and what fees apply. The only legal exception in the US is ADA-defined service animals, which hotels must accommodate regardless of their pet policy.

Pet-friendly hotels range from budget chains like Motel 6 to boutique brands like Kimpton, which actively welcomes pets at no extra charge and provides beds, bowls, and treats. Most major chain hotels have adopted pet-friendly policies in recent years as demand has grown, but almost all apply weight limits, breed restrictions, and per-night pet fees on top of your room rate.

Internationally the picture varies widely. European hotels, particularly in France, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands, are generally more relaxed about small pets than US hotels. In Asia and the Middle East, pet-friendly hotels are far less common and restrictions are stricter. Always confirm directly with the hotel before booking, not just with a filter on a booking platform.

What You Need to Know

  • Pet-friendly designation: always confirm directly with the hotel, booking platform filters are not always accurate
  • Size limits: most hotels restrict pets to under 25 to 50 lbs, some allow only under 15 lbs
  • Breed restrictions: many hotels prohibit pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and other breeds regardless of size or temperament
  • Number of pets: most hotels allow one or two pets per room maximum
  • Pet fees: range from free (Kimpton, Motel 6) to $50 to $150 per stay or $25 to $50 per night at luxury properties
  • Refundable pet deposit: some hotels charge $100 to $300 refundable deposit for potential damage
  • Leaving pets unattended: many hotels require pets to be crated if left alone in the room
  • Service animals: must be accepted at all hotels in the US under the ADA, no fee can be charged
  • Emotional support animals: no longer required to be accommodated under US hotel law as of 2021, treated the same as pets

Pet-Friendly Hotel Brands at a Glance

  • Kimpton Hotels: most pet-friendly luxury brand in the US, no size or weight limits, no pet fee, provides bed, bowls, and treats, accepts cats and dogs
  • Motel 6: allows pets free of charge at most locations, no weight limit, one of the most consistently pet-friendly budget brands
  • Virgin Hotels: no size limits, no pet fees, welcome amenities provided
  • Marriott (varies by property): most Marriott brands allow pets under 50 lbs with a fee of $75 to $150 per stay, confirm at individual property level
  • Hilton (varies by property): many properties allow pets under 75 lbs with nightly fee, Home2 Suites and Homewood Suites are most consistently pet-friendly within the Hilton portfolio
  • IHG (varies by property): Candlewood Suites allows pets at most locations with a fee, other brands vary
  • Four Seasons: accepts pets at most properties, amenities provided, fees and size limits vary by location
  • Loews Hotels: formal pet program called Loews Loves Pets, no size limits, no extra fee at most properties

By Region: Pet Hotel Policies

  • USA: widest range of pet-friendly options, major chains have formal pet programs, always confirm weight and breed limits before booking
  • UK: very pet-friendly culture, many independent hotels and pubs with rooms explicitly welcome dogs, fewer restrictions than US chains
  • France: dogs welcome in many hotels including mid-range and upscale properties, small fee of 10 to 20 euros per night common, French culture is broadly accepting of dogs in public spaces
  • Germany and Netherlands: pet-friendly hotels common, small dogs accepted at most mid-range properties, confirm in advance
  • Italy: mixed, independent hotels more flexible, large chains stricter, always confirm directly
  • Australia: pet-friendly hotels exist but are less common than in Europe or the US, holiday parks and cabins are often the most flexible option
  • Japan: pet-friendly hotels exist but are limited, most require pets to be kept in designated pet rooms, some provide separate pet sleeping areas, confirm well in advance
  • Southeast Asia: pet-friendly hotels rare outside of long-stay serviced apartments, most standard hotels do not accept pets
  • Middle East (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia): very limited pet-friendly options, most luxury hotels do not accept pets, a small number of serviced apartments do

Real Traveler Experiences

"Kimpton in San Francisco treated my dog better than some hotels treat me. Bed, bowls, treats waiting in the room. No fee, no size limit, no drama. The gold standard for pet travel."  Reddit r/solotravel

"Booked a hotel through Expedia that showed as pet-friendly. Called to confirm and they said the policy had changed and pets were no longer allowed. Always call the hotel directly."  TripAdvisor forum

"Took my dog to Paris. Half the restaurants let him sit under the table. Hotel charged 15 euros per night, completely reasonable. Europe is genuinely more relaxed about dogs than the US."  Lonely Planet forum

What to Pack for Your Pet

  • Collapsible food and water bowls, many hotels provide these but not all
  • Enough food for the trip plus two days extra in case of delays
  • Crate or pet carrier if the hotel requires pets to be crated when left alone
  • Familiar blanket or toy to reduce anxiety in an unfamiliar environment
  • Vaccination records and health certificate, required for interstate or international travel in many countries
  • Waste bags and stain remover spray as a courtesy to the hotel

Pro Tips

  • Always call the hotel directly to confirm pet policy, size limits, breed restrictions, and fees before booking, platform filters are frequently outdated or inaccurate
  • Ask specifically whether your breed is permitted, many hotels have exclusion lists that are not published online
  • Request a ground floor room when traveling with a dog, easier for bathroom breaks and less disruptive if your pet is restless
  • Use BringFido.com or PetsWelcome.com to search verified pet-friendly hotels with accurate fee and restriction information
  • Leave the do not disturb sign on the door when your pet is alone in the room, this prevents housekeeping from entering and startling or releasing your pet
  • In the UK and France, research pet-friendly restaurants and cafes before you go, traveling with a dog in these countries opens up far more options than most travelers expect

Related Questions

Sources

AskTravel.org is an information website only. Always check local regulations and app availability before traveling, as rules change frequently.

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