14 of the most pet-friendly hotels in the U.S., according to a dog mom who travels full-time

When I adopted my dog Redford (a.k.a. Bird) in 2018, my mom immediately bought me a shirt that read “If I can’t bring my dog, I’m not going.” Peak millennial cringe? Oh yeah. True? Extremely. To know me is to know Bird, my perfect and challenging rubber band of a dog bound together by clinical anxiety and a need to be at my hip. As such, to travel with me is to travel with Bird, my de facto and favorite plus-one of nearly nine years.

Since I’ve spent the last year driving around the country with Bird in tow, sniffing out dog-friendly hotels has become a bit of a specialty. From little touches like treats at reception and water bowls in the lobby to majorly helpful services like in-room sitting, on-site dog parks and dog-friendly common spaces, I’ve found that being “pet-friendly” goes well beyond simply allowing your pet through the door. Some accommodations welcome pets of every size and shape without charging a dime, while others come with fees, weight limits or restrictions to work around.

There are some hotels that make traveling with your four-legged fur baby downright breezy — and that is saying a lot for someone whose pup fears a bellhop and automatic door with equal fervor. Here are the brands, chains and stays that make easy work of juggling luggage, treats and an out-of-sorts pet, from check-in to check-out.

The best pet-friendly hotel chains where pets stay free

If you want the no-questions-asked ease of a hotel that welcomes your furry friend without extra fees or a laundry list of restrictions, these chains are your best bet. They universally allow pets without fees (or limitations, in some cases). The straightforward, predictable pet policies across locations make it easy to bring Fido without any added fuss (or cost).

1. Kimpton Hotels: Best overall

Kimpton’s pet policy sets the gold standard for all-around dog-friendliness. IHG Hotels & Resorts calls the Kimpton its pet-friendliest brand: “If your pet fits through the door, we’ll welcome them in.” My kind of people. No matter their size, weight or breed, pets fluffy, feathered and scaly all stay free at all locations, a brand representative confirmed.

The hotels also offer a selection of pet amenities and extras, from beds and bowls to a concierge list of nearby pet-friendly locations. A major plus: There are even some pet-friendly common spaces and events, like “yappy hours,” at select locations, a bonus for folks who want to socialize without venturing too far from their furry pals.

2. Motel 6: Best budget

This budget-friendly mainstay is a longstanding go-to for travelers with pets. That’s because pets stay free at all of Motel 6’s 1,400 locations, including Studio 6 extended stay properties. Up to two pets are permitted per room, with a combined total weight of 150 pounds or under. It’s no frills, but it offers affordable, unfussy stays for pet owners, and that kind of steadfast reliability is worth its weight in gold.

3. 1 Hotel: Best luxury

Every 1 Hotel property is inspired by the natural world around it, so it makes sense that all 1 Hotels are pet-friendly at no added fee, ever, a brand spokesperson confirmed. Bring up to two pets of any size along to nearly every U.S. property. (The one exception is its South Beach location: You can still bring up to two along for free, but there’s a combined 50-pound weight limit.)

Pups are provided with welcome treats upon arrival and rooms are stocked with bowls and dog beds. A Canine Concierge helps guests with pet-friendly recommendations in the surrounding neighborhood, the brand confirmed, whether it’s the best walking routes through Central Park, scenic hiking trails in West Hollywood or trusted pet-sitting services.

*Excluding South Beach location; 50 lbs.

Other excellent pet-friendly hotel chains

These hotels and stays aren’t fully free, but they are fully pet-friendly. They may have a few extra fees or restrictions, but they still roll out the welcome mat for pets, which makes them a great pick for travelers, both two-legged four-legged.

4. Red Roof Inn

If you’re looking for uncomplicated and straightforward, your first pet stays free at all Red Roof Inn and Red Roof PLUS+ locations across the United States. There’s a weight limit of 80 pounds per pet, and while your first pet is free, a second pet is charged at $15 per night.

5. Best Western

With more than 1,200 pet-friendly hotels across North America, you’re bound to come across plenty of Best Westerns in your travels. Many properties allow up to two dogs, each weighing up to 80 pounds, per room; other types and sizes of pets may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.

Fees vary at Best Western: They can be nonexistent or go up to $40 per day. You might also be charged a refundable damage deposit of up to $150 per stay, but experiences vary by location.

6. La Quinta

Owned by hotel giant Wyndham, La Quinta is a crowd favorite for traveling with pets. More than 830 of its hotels are pet-friendly, and the few locations that do not allow pets are clearly marked. You can take up to two pets along for a stay at these locations, but note that size restrictions vary and fees range from $0 to $25 per night, for a maximum of $75 per stay.

7. Hilton

More than 5,000 of Hilton’s 9,400 properties are pet-friendly, which makes it the largest pet-friendly hotel chain. The company announced that all Homewood Suites would go 100% pet-friendly in 2022, joining Home2 Suites, Canopy, Embassy Suites, Hampton, Tru, Hilton Garden Inn and Spark.. Redford’s fave is the Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront for its curated welcome doggy bag and fresh water bowls in the lobby.

That said, Hilton doesn’t have universal fees or restrictions; each property sets its own rules. “Travelers can typically expect to see a fee of $75 maximum per stay of 1 to 4 nights, and a fee of $125 maximum for stays of 5 nights or more,” a brand representative said. Policies vary by location, but guests report most weight restrictions are between 25 and 75 pounds and that some locations may impose a two-pet limit as well.

8. Extended Stay America

For longer trips and, well, extended stays, you can bring along up to two pets to Extended Stay America properties, each up to 36 inches tall and long; larger and additional animals may be accommodated pending manager approval. Per the brand’s pet policy, expect to shell out up to $25 for a nonrefundable cleaning fee per night for the first 6 nights, and up to $15 per night after.

9. Loews

Through the Loews Loves Pets program, you can bring up to two furry friends along to revel in the luxury brand’s pet-friendly amenities and services. Loews aims to make traveling with pets easier: You’ll receive a curated welcome package with treats, bowls, placemats, custom tags and leashes and any other pet essential you might need during your stay.

None of the properties have a weight limit, but fees vary by location, ranging from around $50 to $150, a brand representative confirmed. “We recommend guests check the hotel’s Loews Loves Pets page or contact the property directly for details.” When you do, you’ll see a range of pup-friendly offerings — some locations even offer pet walking and sitting services and gourmet in-room dining for pets.

10. Candlewood Suites

Also part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, all Candlewood Suites’ hotels are pet-friendly. That said, weight restrictions and fees vary by location. You can typically expect an 80-pound limit and non-refundable fees ranging from $75 to $150, depending on the length of your stay.

11. Opal Collection

Snowbirds and eastern seaboard travelers will love stopping at any of the Opal Collection’s 29 dog-friendly hotels and resorts, which stretch from The Asticou Hotel in Downeast Maine to Opal Key Resort & Marina in Key West near the southernmost point of the U.S. The brand’s Opal Paws Program allows for up to two dogs of any size for $100 per dog per night. You’ll be greeted with a custom dog mat and bowl, curated goodie bag and concierge list of nearby dog-friendly spots.

The (still great) pet-friendly hotels that require some planning

While you can pretty much show up to any of the hotels above with a dog in tow, the following hotel chains and brands require a little more homework before check-in. They’re still worth booking, but there are a few extra rules, fees and specificities you’ll want to consider ahead of time.

12. Hilton

You’re not seeing double: I put Hilton on this list twice. That’s because outside of the brands mentioned above, pet policies, rates and restrictions vary by brand and location at Hilton’s luxury and lifestyle properties.

Some Signia locations, like the Naples Grande Beach Resort scheduled to join the brand in January 2027, are pet-friendly with a maximum weight limit of 30 pounds and a non-refundable pet fee, while other properties, like the Waldorf Astoria, have a wide range of rules across its many premises. Its Las Vegas location prohibits pets, while in New York, you can bring up to two dogs, each weighing up to 65 pounds, at no additional fee. Look out for adorable add-ons at participating locations, like New York’s Bark Avenue experience.

13. Marriott

Marriott is the other giant in the hospitality world, but it lacks a universal pet policy, so whether you’re booking a Courtyard, Westin, Sheraton or Renaissance, pet acceptance depends on the location. Fees, size limits and restrictions vary too, making the experience even more hit-or-miss across more than 30 brands and 10,000-plus properties.

Policies vary across Marriott’s luxury brands, like Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott and W Hotels, plus the boutique-style properties in the Autograph Collection. But those that welcome pets typically go above and beyond with add-ons like these artisanal treats and plush beds at The Press Hotel that personally made me a little jealous of Redford. Taking the extra minute to do a little cursory research was worth it.

Generally, Aloft hotels are among Marriott’s most pet-friendly. Modern rooms and swanky bars sweeten the deal. While policies vary by location, Aloft’s ARF (Animals R Fun) program offers dog amenities like beds, bowls, treats and toys, though policies run the gamut: Some properties have no size restrictions or pet fees, while others cap weight at 15 pounds and charge $150 per night. For extended stays, some Element properties offer a Love That Dog program, too, with similarly wide-ranging size limits and fees.

14. Four Seasons

Four legs, meet Four Seasons. Luxury-lovers and pampered pooches can get five-star experiences at the chain, though pet policies, fees and weight restrictions vary by property. For example, weight limits range from 25 pounds at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown to 60 pounds at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, while Four Seasons Miami welcomes pets with zero charges or weight restrictions for certain breeds. Its luxe, thoughtful amenities that had my jaw on the floor and made Redford feel right at home.