Traveling with a dog can be awfully challenging. But there's something about sharing your hotel room with your canine companion that makes being on the road feel more like home.
These days, many hotels and resorts are practically rolling out the red carpet for Fido. Whether it's as simple as offering a complimentary dog treat at check-in or as complex as an over-the-top puppy package that includes doggy room service and a lobby welcome sign, there are plenty of unique ways the hospitality industry is working to accommodate traveling dogs.
Comfortable Beds
One way hotels are making dogs feel more at home is with oversized pet pillows and dog beds for those guests who may not want Fido sleeping in the real bed.
Virgin Hotels Chicago is still relatively new but has already been recognized as one of the most pet-friendly hotels in America thanks to its special dog beds, which the company claims are as "as comfortable as your human's."
Creative Menus
Hotels around the globe are getting creative with their pet menus. But you'd be hard-pressed to find a more original dog menu than the one at Florida's Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village. The resort's dockside bar and grill, The Nauti Mermaid, is serving a handful of exciting dog-friendly meals, including bacon-flavored boneless wings, grilled filet mignon and veggies and even some desserts items featuring berries and more bacon.
Meanwhile, The Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is cooking up dishes like the "Big Dog Burger" and the "Chicken Chihuahua" on its dog room service menu as part of its "Big Dog" package.
Toys and Treats
Because what's a dog vacation without a little fun?
The Iron Horse Hotel, for example, is serving up gourmet dog treats from Stella and Chewy as part of its Big Dog package, as well as providing an "H2O to Go" pet water bottle. The hotel's staff can also provide comprehensive lists pet-friendly outdoor restaurants and attractions, as well as nearby off-leash parks and pet stores.
[READMORE] READ MORE: The 5 Most Unique Pet-Friendly Hotels [/READMORE]
At Memphis, Tennessee's Madison Hotel, the "Southern Swag for Southern Wag" package includes a brand new toy and treat for dogs to enjoy wherever whenever for just a $10 upgrade.
Special Events
Many hotels offer special events for those pet owners who truly wish to spoil their four-legged family members while away. Virgin Hotels, for instance, now offers dog birthday parties complete with a dog-friendly cake and a portrait artist.
What's more, the Madison Hotel encourages dog owners to bring their pets along for daily "Yappy Hours" on the Main Street outdoor patio. If that's not enough, the Iron Horse Hotel will arrange for a private photography session of a guest's pet in the lobby or their hotel room.
Recently, the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia teamed up with a local shelter as part of its Palomar Pet Pals program to bring rescue dogs into the meeting room in hopes of getting them adopted while at the same time helping to relax stressed-out business travelers.
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