Staying in a pet-friendly vacation rental will be a great pleasure for you if you love your pet. Before you accompany your pet to a rental, you need to think a lot regarding its nature, behavior, and etiquette. If your pet is not well-behaved in public, be sure to do some obedience training before you leave. The last thing you want is for your companion to become startled and run away in an unfamiliar city -- you might wind up spending your entire vacation looking for it. Make sure it understands basic commands and will stay with you on a leash. You'll also need to make sure your pet is up-to-date on all vaccinations, and that his microchip and/or ID tag has your current contact information.
Now, to find some pet-friendly accommodations! You might be surprised to learn that many of the major hotel chains accept pets. Select locations of LaQuinta Inns & Suites, Red Roof Inn, Quality Inn, Best Western, and Motel 6 all welcome four-legged guests, but you'll need to confirm that the one closest to your destination is a participating location. Since each hotel is different, talk to a representative about your particular pet, and understand all the hotel's policies before booking a room. Some hotels will only accept pets up to a certain weight, or allow only one pet per room, no matter how tiny they are. Some may charge a refundable room deposit, while others will charge a room cleaning surcharge even if the room is left spotless. Other hotels charge an additional fee each night that you stay -- either per pet or per room. You should also find out if your pet will be able to accompany you to the hotel's restaurant, pool, and beach areas.
If hotels at your destination are not pet friendly, or if you prefer more freedom for yourself and your pet while on vacation, consider renting a pet-friendly condominium, townhouse, or private home. Many are available for short-term and long-term rental, and the owners will have individual policies about pets. You may be more likely to find an owner sympathetic to the needs of your pet than to find a hotel chain that meets all of your pet's needs. And renting a condo or house for longer than 3 days is likely to be more economical than staying in a hotel for the same amount of time.
Pet-friendly vacation rentals also make excellent resources for finding out where to take your pet in town. Ask for a list of local pet-friendly restaurants and find out if there's a dog park or nature preserve nearby for them to romp around in. Be sure to research plenty of pet-inclusive activities in advance, or you could all end up sitting in the hotel room together! With a little advance planning, a vacation can be an extra-special experience for both you and your pet.
Rent By Host, one of the best vacation rentals by owner, offers various types of pet-friendly vacation rental homes—villas, condos, cottages, apartments, houses, and cabins—to tourists in different vacation destinations of the US at very affordable prices. Our rental services are available around the clock and you can contact us anytime to book your accommodations. With us, you will be able to save up to 15-20% booking fees.
Elkton, Virginia
