Which Destinations Are Especially Pet-Friendly?

When many travelers hit the road, they don’t necessarily want to leave Fido or Fluffy behind.

But unless they have their own RV, where will the furry friends (or family) stay? 

“Fortunately, many places in Europe are wonderfully pet-friendly,” said Jeannette Candau, co-owner of European walking tour specialist, The Blue Walk.

“We offer coastal walking vacations that are perfect for sharing with a four-legged family member. Trains, ferries and most restaurants allow pets on a leash. Our 4-star hotel on the French Riviera is pet-friendly and has designated rooms for guests traveling with their furry family members. The same is true with our 5-star hotel in Greece. You can bring your pet on the ferry and enjoy sharing an island-hopping adventure with them.”

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“Most of the destinations in Croatia are pet-friendly,” said Daniel Hauptfeld, marketing director of Katarina Line. “Our Kvarner region has signs on hotels, private villas and apartments, designating whether they are pet-friendly.”

According to Amy Burkert, the founder of GoPetFriendly.com, more businesses are allowing pets inside:

“The 2015-2016 APPA National Pet Owners Survey says that 65 percent of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 79.7 million homes. More people are including their pets in their travel plans, whether it's around the block or across the country. That's a major market force, and businesses that don't welcome pets are missing out on those opportunities.”

Christine Hardenberger, owner of Modern Travel Professionals in Richmond, Virginia, said that her favorite pet-friendly destinations are any of the Loews hotels—whose brand-wide pet program is called “Loews Loves Pets"—including Loews Royal Pacific and Loews Portofino Bay at Universal Orlando Resort.  

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“Not only are Loews hotels pet-friendly, they are pet welcoming,” said Hardenberger. “Your pet is as much a valued guest as you are!  At check-in, every dog or cat receives welcome gifts including a name tag, bowl and special treats. You can borrow pet beds, litter boxes, litter, scoopers, scratching posts and other pet accessories so you don't have to lug everything from home.”

Is your pet hungry? Then don't miss the gourmet room service pet menus developed by Loews chefs in partnership with local veterinarians. Loews hotels provide dog-walking routes, pet-sitting and pet-walking services, as well as a list of local pet-friendly restaurants.

“Your bird, snake, bunny rabbit or any creature who shares your heart is welcome, too,” Hardenberger said. “These hotels are awesome for my clients who just can't leave their pets home. They are luxurious, and the service is excellent.”

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Chuck Flagg of Cruise Planners in Canton, Georgia just visited The Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, California.

“They are extremely pet-friendly, and I saw many guests with pets,” he said. “Just weeks ago, they hosted an event called Yappy Hour, which was very well attended both by guests as well as locals.”

Monthly Yappy Hour events are held at The Ritz-Carlton and support The Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence.