Travel with Pets - Sneaking Pets into the Hotel to avoid the fee?

Anyone have any experience sneaking your pet into the hotel to avoid the fee? I have a stay at the Homewood in Corpus Christi, and they charge a $100 non-refundable fee. That's almost twice what I'm paying for the room for myself... Any advice?

Anyone have any experience sneaking your pet into the hotel to avoid the fee? I have a stay at the Homewood in Corpus Christi, and they charge a $100 non-refundable fee. That's almost twice what I'm paying for the room for myself... Any advice?

1. Board the dog
2. Stay someplace else
3. Pay the $100

Sneaking the dog in could place you in the unwelcome position of looking for a new hotel in the middle of the night after the Homewood tosses you out for not disclosing your pet.

I'd find a new hotel and tell them that their $100 fee is out of line. $25 I can see, but $100? No thanks.

Also, you don't earn points on that deposit, so tell them to pound sand.

Sneaking animals in... something people seem to be oddly insistent upon doing. For various reasons.

Those who work in the luxury sector in London have more than a few anecdotes about fearsomely rich Middle Easterners who book up the five-star hotels during August, spend like mad, order up room service - then the poor room-service waiter brings in their order, and finds a goat being killed in the middle of the suite. Rather more extreme than a simple overnight with a pet, that. It's happened at the Four Seasons London, amongst other places. And here's the thing - no-one ever sees the goats going up to the rooms. You'd think something like that couldn't be got across a lobby without some kerfuffle. But somehow they manage it.

Anyway, yes. Thoroughly inadvisable to sneak a pet in. A very quick way to get on the blacklist, I'm afraid.

Find another hotel-the Homewood is doing all it can to discourage dogs -and their owners. Why give your business to a hotel who is so anti your lifestyle ?
Give it to one who positively welcomes you and your canine buddy.

Sneaking animals in... something people seem to be oddly insistent upon doing. For various reasons.

Those who work in the luxury sector in London have more than a few anecdotes about fearsomely rich Middle Easterners who book up the five-star hotels during August, spend like mad, order up room service - then the poor room-service waiter brings in their order, and finds a goat being killed in the middle of the suite. Rather more extreme than a simple overnight with a pet, that. It's happened at the Four Seasons London, amongst other places. And here's the thing - no-one ever sees the goats going up to the rooms. You'd think something like that couldn't be got across a lobby without some kerfuffle. But somehow they manage it.

Anyway, yes. Thoroughly inadvisable to sneak a pet in. A very quick way to get on the blacklist, I'm afraid.

I am very disappointed in Snopes.com. :( Luxury hotel goat-sacrifices definitely deserve a page there, but I can't find it. It has all of the ingredients necessary for the perfect urban legend.

(I'm not calling outright BS on this one - lots of things on Snopes are well-documented as true.)

Regarding the original question about a small housepet: I'm sure it's easy to get away with, sort of like it's easy to sneak more people into a hotel room than fire code allows. (I think I've violated fire code at one or two cheap motels in almost every Big Ten college town.)

My only question is: do hotels do an extra-deep-cleaning of a room after a pet has been there? (e.g., is that the reason for the extra fee?) If so, then I'd prefer people didn't sneak pets into the hotel, as I might wind up as the next guest in that room that had a pet but didn't get the cleaning. (In practice, I'm skeptical that they really do a deep cleaning of the room if a small housepet didn't leave a noticeable stench behind.)

Anyone have any experience sneaking your pet into the hotel to avoid the fee? I have a stay at the Homewood in Corpus Christi, and they charge a $100 non-refundable fee. That's almost twice what I'm paying for the room for myself... Any advice?

Find someplace that welcomes your pet. At least you're not sneaking it into a property that bans pets. I hate discovering an hour after I've checked in to a pet-free hotel room that a previous occupant selfishly disregarded that rule. :td:

I sneaked a pet in once and was caught and fined $200.00.
Now I make sure to find a pet friendly hotel when the cat is traveling with the family.
Jim

I sneaked a pet in once and was caught and fined $200.00.
Now I make sure to find a pet friendly hotel when the cat is traveling with the family.
Jim

You ever think about those of us who are deathly allergic to cats?

Anyone have any experience sneaking your pet into the hotel to avoid the fee? I have a stay at the Homewood in Corpus Christi, and they charge a $100 non-refundable fee. That's almost twice what I'm paying for the room for myself... Any advice?

while your selfishness and greed are admirable, I'd prefer to not sleep in a bed that some strange animal was just in without the proper cleaning. Hotels allocate certain rooms for pets. If you sneak one in, you might (probably) be using a "non-pet" room, which is probably not cleaned adequately after you check out.

By their pricing, Homewood has pretty much told you that they don't want pets. It would be nice if you respected that so the rest of us don't get fleas, allergic reactions, etc. There are plenty of places you can go.

I've always used http://www.petfriendly.com/ as a jumping point for finding hotels that allow pets.

while your selfishness and greed are admirable, I'd prefer to not sleep in a bed that some strange animal was just in without the proper cleaning.

Yeah, right - they'll spend HOURS cleaning the room.... NOT!

The OP is "greedy"????? sheesh... so much for doing the right thing - I'd bet
tens of thousands of pets are "snuck" into rooms all across the country because of policies like the homewood's. I can see stuffing pet owner's into crummy rooms, but this policy is just counterproductive.

By forcing a pet owner "underground" they run the risk of upgrading someone who doesn't disclose that they have a pet into the oompah-loompah-super-presidential-suite and getting that room stinky.

When I move cross-country next month I guess I won't disclose that I have pets, and I'll be sure and ask for my gold ( probably diamond by then) upgrade. :cool:

BTW, how are you booking Homewood's @ $50?????

Please DO NOT do this. I got a room that I was sure an animal, probably dog, had been in. The room smelled terrible, primarily like wet dog, and something the dog may have done in the room. It had been raining the day before.
This Hilton hotel does not allow pets. So the animal would have had to be sneaked in. And the usual cleaning, which did not remove the smell, was done. I refused the room and moved out as fast as possible.

There is no way to predict what a dog/animal will do to the room. I'm sure this particular room had to be done several times to make it acceptable. Not to mention if the dog "marked" the furniture. If this is the case, I can see why an extra $100 would be charged for pets.

I'm guessing the $100 is per stay? That is prohibitive for a one-night stay, to be sure, but no big deal at all on an extended stay. I paid a $75 fee at a Residence Inn for a 66 night stay with my pup. That's just over a buck a night.

Although the inquiry in this thread involves a Homewood Suites by Hilton property, the topic is really of a more general nature and is not really specific to Hilton Hotels properties or the Hilton HHonors frequent guest program.

The new home of this thread is the TravelBuzz! forum. This will allow other FlyerTalk members who are members of frequent guest programs of other hotel chains and properties to contribute to this thread.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Hilton forum

Anyone have any experience sneaking your pet into the hotel to avoid the fee?
If they do, I hope it doesn't mean suffocating them into one's bags. :eek: :p

You ever think about those of us who are deathly allergic to cats?

And dogs. Just thoughtlessness and selfishness. They have no idea what a nighttime asthma attack is all about.

And rabbits as well.

The fine is usually twice the deposit if you get caught.

I have snuck mine into a hotel that didn't except pets though.

Sneaking animals in... something people seem to be oddly insistent upon doing. For various reasons.

Those who work in the luxury sector in London have more than a few anecdotes about fearsomely rich Middle Easterners who book up the five-star hotels during August, spend like mad, order up room service - then the poor room-service waiter brings in their order, and finds a goat being killed in the middle of the suite.

Oh gosh!!!:td: :td: :td:

Anyone have any experience sneaking your pet into the hotel to avoid the fee? I have a stay at the Homewood in Corpus Christi, and they charge a $100 non-refundable fee. That's almost twice what I'm paying for the room for myself... Any advice?Pay for the dog at the hotel or leave him/her home at your local kennel. Do you shoplift from the grocery store because you think you shouldn't have to pay for the items you want?

I've paid $25 at a few motels but never more than that. I don't sneak in pets.

But what I have seen are dogs and cats locked up in cars in the parking lots so people can avoid paying the fees. This I don't like. I feel very sorry for the animals. Yes, the dogs do bark all night.

I'm guessing the $100 is per stay? That is prohibitive for a one-night stay, to be sure, but no big deal at all on an extended stay. I paid a $75 fee at a Residence Inn for a 66 night stay with my pup. That's just over a buck a night.

Yowsa! That's a Platinum Pup! :D

Did they have to break the 66-night stay into multiple folios? When I used to "live" at an RI, I had to checkout/checkin once a month. It was good for everyone involved: the RI got to post the revenue, I received my points in monthly chunks, and I was able to bill my client a steady amount. But if I had had a pet, I imagine they would've tried to hit me with $75 per stay...

This Hilton hotel does not allow pets. So the animal would have had to be sneaked in.

In theory, it could have been a seeing-eye dog. :)

Please DO NOT do this. I got a room that I was sure an animal, probably dog, had been in. The room smelled terrible, primarily like wet dog, and something the dog may have done in the room. It had been raining the day before.
This Hilton hotel does not allow pets. So the animal would have had to be sneaked in. And the usual cleaning, which did not remove the smell, was done. I refused the room and moved out as fast as possible.

There is no way to predict what a dog/animal will do to the room. I'm sure this particular room had to be done several times to make it acceptable. Not to mention if the dog "marked" the furniture. If this is the case, I can see why an extra $100 would be charged for pets.

Why not make the $100 a bond instead of a fee, returnable if animal behaved itself in a clean and civilised fashion? Personally I would rather sleep in a room whose previous occupant was a well-behaved and well-groomed dog (or reasonably so) than a one which had housed a chain-smoker, or someone who used an ineradicable brand of perfume or aftershave.

When properties have high non-refundable pet fees like this they are really just saying"we would rather not have your pet staying with us"which is just fine IMO.
There are pet friendly chains(starwood-motel 6)and certain properties within other chains that are not so harsh on pet owners.Stay with one of them,or pay the fee at the other.or board the pet.
BTW-just as an aside.I have found a fantastic product for getting rid of pet urine(feline and canine as well as bunnies and humans)That also tells the pet NOT to do it their again.Private me for more info.

We travel with our dog and it's not hard to find a place with reasonable or no pet fees. All the Red Roofs accept pets, many La Quintas, a lot of Hampton Inns.

People who break rules with their pets make it tougher for the rest of us. Don't sneak your pet in when I'm there as I might turn you in.

We rarely travel with our cat, except to transport her to a family member if we are traveling for a long time. In this case, we stay at Motel 6 which is very pet friendly.

There was one situation, where we had to sneak her into a Sheraton hotel in the middle of a small city at New Year's. We placed her in a bag, zipped it up, and she stayed silent and motionless even as we rode up to the top floor in the elevator with a member of the hotel staff and several NYE partygoers. Cat was unhappy but unharmed when we reached the room.

Our cat doesn't make a mess of anything, but I do apologize if a cat-allergic person stayed the next night in that room (although it seems unilkely, through multiple regular cleanings the dander would be gone.)

Motel Six has a policy of allowing one pet per room. Some have stretched it to two small dogs. Pets are not supposed to be left alone in room--all in all, a very reasonable policy. ^

Anyone have any experience sneaking your pet into the hotel to avoid the fee? I have a stay at the Homewood in Corpus Christi, and they charge a $100 non-refundable fee. That's almost twice what I'm paying for the room for myself... Any advice?

Yeah, advice is easy on this one. Pay the fee, don't take the pet or go someplace else.

I hope if you get caught you are tossed out on the streets and no vacancies are to be found and your credit card is charged $500.00 or worse the police are called. It would serve you right.

At a Microtel Inn & Suites where I stayed, they had a pet fee of $10/day ($5 for longterm stays). They addressed the registered / unregistered problem by posting a large-print sign next to the front desk which said:
Registered Pets: $10 / day
Unregistered Pets: $50 / day
To the OP, I would recommend just finding a place with a lower pet fee.

I don't think people should sneak pets into hotels/motels, although I must admit that the subject makes me chuckle. I once sat in the parking lot of a tollway-side motel in France, watching a family pass two dogs in through the window of a ground floor room. The dogs were not small and the window was not low to the ground. I wish I had a photo! :D

Wonder why they had to sneak 'em in. Most places in France welcome dogs.

I have been asked several times by French folks, why do Americans hate dogs. I tell 'em most Americans love dogs. And, then, I am asked why you can't take a dog to a restaurant or hotel in the US.

Good question. :confused:

The OP is "greedy"????? sheesh... so much for doing the right thing - I'd bet
tens of thousands of pets are "snuck" into rooms all across the country because of policies like the homewood's. I can see stuffing pet owner's into crummy rooms, but this policy is just counterproductive.

By forcing a pet owner "underground" they run the risk of upgrading someone who doesn't disclose that they have a pet into the oompah-loompah-super-presidential-suite and getting that room stinky.

When I move cross-country next month I guess I won't disclose that I have pets, and I'll be sure and ask for my gold ( probably diamond by then) upgrade. :cool:

the OP is greedy because he doesn't want to pay for the pet or to show financial responsibility for the potential damages of his pet. Maybe greedy was a bad term, "cheap" is probably more accurate.

Does the fact that thousands of other people do it make it right to you ? Or do you just obey laws that you like and ignore the rest. You sound like a model citizen. Your mother must be so proud...

Please, no cracks about mothers. :td: We are too good for that sore of thing. ^

Wonder why they had to sneak 'em in. Most places in France welcome dogs.

I have been asked several times by French folks, why do Americans hate dogs. I tell 'em most Americans love dogs. And, then, I am asked why you can't take a dog to a restaurant or hotel in the US.

Good question. :confused:
No it is a dumb question. People do not make their children behave and they certainly wouldn't make their pets behave. Not to mention that they probably can't. No pets should be admitted to any indoor public place. Dogs and cats were not meant to be indoors, they should be outdoors.

Does this mean my neighbor's little lap dogs must be immediately evicted from her house, even if it is very cold? :confused:

May the little dogs come inside to say good-night to their "mommy"? :confused:

Wonder why they had to sneak 'em in. Most places in France welcome dogs.

I have been asked several times by French folks, why do Americans hate dogs. I tell 'em most Americans love dogs. And, then, I am asked why you can't take a dog to a restaurant or hotel in the US.

Good question. :confused:

Restaurants - usually health codes. Seeing-eye dogs exempt, of course.

There was one situation, where we had to sneak her into a Sheraton hotel in the middle of a small city at New Year's. We placed her in a bag, zipped it up, and she stayed silent and motionless even as we rode up to the top floor in the elevator with a member of the hotel staff and several NYE partygoers. Cat was unhappy but unharmed when we reached the room.
How did the feline fare inside the room overnight? Just curious as I don't hear many owners bringing cats in their vacation.

the OP is greedy because he doesn't want to pay for the pet or to show financial responsibility for the potential damages of his pet. Maybe greedy was a bad term, "cheap" is probably more accurate.

"cheap" would be if the original poster didn't want to pay a REASONABLE fee for extra cleaning that was actually performed, or post a deposit. If someone brings a pet into a room and the pet tears up a couch or eats an end table, they are responsible and should pay for any actual damage. Just the same as if a human resident tore up a room.

Charging an unreasonable fee ensures that most people are either not going to stay there with a pet, or they are going to sneak them in. If they charged a reasonable fee, people would pay it, and the hotel gains by being able to ensure that pets only end up in rooms that the hotel chooses - smoking rooms, shopworn rooms, or priceline rooms.

Does the fact that thousands of other people do it make it right to you ? Or do you just obey laws that you like and ignore the rest. You sound like a model citizen. Your mother must be so proud...

You know, I haven't heard that wonderful canard since junior high school. Wonderful and truly intelligent argument, YOUR momma should be proud!

A hotel's rules are a long way from "law" - but yeah, I'll bite. I do ignore laws I feel are unjust, when I'm pretty certain I can get away with it. I also speak out vociferously when I think I'm being pushed around by my government. I think it's my responsibilty as a citizen to to so. Ever hear of the boston tea party?

The cases aren't parallel. You don't have a choice as to whether to deal with the government, at least if you want to live in your own country. You do have a choice as to whether to patronize a hotel.

I'm amazed that the attitude of so many people is "If the contract on offer from a business doesn't suit me, I will enter into it anyway, fully intending to violate it." That's unethical in and of itself, never mind the potential for property damage or medical problems for the person who has the room after the selfish jerk who sneaks in the pet.

"cheap" would be if the original poster didn't want to pay a REASONABLE fee for extra cleaning that was actually performed, or post a deposit.


If it's not reasonable, go to another hotel or don't bring the pet. It's not like King George mandated that pet owners stay at a certain hotel *and* pay the charges.

It's choice to bring your pet with you, just as you can choose your hotel while vacationing. You cannot legally and ethically, however, choose which of the rules you want to abide by once you have signed and agreed to the terms of the contract.

Why is this so difficult to grasp?

As for the bond idea, it means that the room has to be inspected at checkout which would be a problem at most properties. Morning checkout is hectic enough without having people going to check rooms.

At a Marriott that didn't allow pets, I ratted out a dog in an adjacent room because it was yapping all night.

When I travel with the pooch, I book at pet friendly hotels. I always let the clerk know at the front desk that I have a dog, and I've had no problems.

When the clerk forgets to charge for the pet, even better :D

Anyone have any experience sneaking your pet into the hotel to avoid the fee? I have a stay at the Homewood in Corpus Christi, and they charge a $100 non-refundable fee. That's almost twice what I'm paying for the room for myself... Any advice?

This is really no different from smoking in a non-smoking room. Don't do it ! If you don't like that hotels' policy, stay someplace else. (BTW- I am a smoker).

This is really no different from smoking in a non-smoking room. Don't do it ! If you don't like that hotels' policy, stay someplace else. (BTW- I am a smoker).

Pretty good analogy.

I steer away from hotels that advertise themselves as "pet friendly" in much the same way that I avoid reserving a smoking-allowed room.

"cheap" would be if the original poster didn't want to pay a REASONABLE fee for extra cleaning that was actually performed, or post a deposit. If someone brings a pet into a room and the pet tears up a couch or eats an end table, they are responsible and should pay for any actual damage. Just the same as if a human resident tore up a room.

Charging an unreasonable fee ensures that most people are either not going to stay there with a pet, or they are going to sneak them in. If they charged a reasonable fee, people would pay it, and the hotel gains by being able to ensure that pets only end up in rooms that the hotel chooses - smoking rooms, shopworn rooms, or priceline rooms.

I think the point you're missing is that the hotel gets to set the rules, not you. They're not asking you if you think their pet deposit is reasonable, they're asking you to decide whether you want to stay there AT THAT PRICE. Their pet deposit is not the opening offer in a negotiation, it is THEIR term of contract. Your option is to take their terms, or stay somewhere else.

This is how most of us function in a civilized society. We either respect the rule, or vote with our wallet and choose another provider.

I don't think people should sneak pets into hotels/motels,

Yes I agree with this statement as well, but I once helped sneak 5 dogs into a motel room somewhere in Kansas; we were travelling from Indiana to Colorado after attending a dog show.

The booking was made for a ground floor which had another exit away from the front. What would have been the fee no idea.

There is almost no where in Australia where you can have your pet in the hotel room.

A couple of years ago, my husband and I were traveling with our dog. We hit a terrible wind/rain/thunderstorm in Cape Fear, NC. We found a hotel that didn't allow dogs in the room, this was the only hotel with a vacancy. The place was an absolute dump. Worse than any place I have stayed in. Initially, we thought we would leave the dog in the truck, it has a cap on it and a dog crate inside. Truly, the dog would of been fine. Well, as the storm got worse, the juvenile deliquents on the floor above us were getting quite drunk, watching the storm on their balcony. They started to throw beer cans and vodka bottles into the parking lot. This was in the daytime. They saw us feed our dog and started to throw more cans, etc. laughing and having a grand old time. We left to get something for supper and when we came back there must of been 15 of them on the balcony above us and they were really looped. I really was afraid and begged the hubby to leave, but we couldn't, the weather was too bad. So, yup, we brought the dog bed and crate into the room and kept the dog in our room. Needless to say, we were out of that dirty filthy room by 5:30 am. and the juvenile deliquents were fast asleep. We travel frequently with our dog, and always stay at pet friendly places, but I have never, ever stayed at such a dirty, filthy place as that.

Most places in France welcome dogs.

Especially the restaurants.

A couple of years ago, my husband and I were traveling with our dog. We hit a terrible wind/rain/thunderstorm in Cape Fear, NC. We found a hotel that didn't allow dogs in the room, this was the only hotel with a vacancy. The place was an absolute dump. Worse than any place I have stayed in. Initially, we thought we would leave the dog in the truck, it has a cap on it and a dog crate inside. Truly, the dog would of been fine. Well, as the storm got worse, the juvenile deliquents on the floor above us were getting quite drunk, watching the storm on their balcony. They started to throw beer cans and vodka bottles into the parking lot. This was in the daytime. They saw us feed our dog and started to throw more cans, etc. laughing and having a grand old time. We left to get something for supper and when we came back there must of been 15 of them on the balcony above us and they were really looped. I really was afraid and begged the hubby to leave, but we couldn't, the weather was too bad. So, yup, we brought the dog bed and crate into the room and kept the dog in our room. Needless to say, we were out of that dirty filthy room by 5:30 am. and the juvenile deliquents were fast asleep. We travel frequently with our dog, and always stay at pet friendly places, but I have never, ever stayed at such a dirty, filthy place as that.

I'd have done the same thing-you can't leave your pet exposed to harm. I don't put this in the same category as someone doing it for convenience or to save a fee.

ON the few times I traveled with my Cats... I would always be up front and tell them I was coming with Pets and ask what the fee was.

When my apartment was being redone over a year ago... I had a nightmare finding a local hotel that took pets. The Candlewood Suites, Jersey City said on their website and the phone reservations rep.. .yes we accept pets with a fee.

I go to the hotel the day before to confirm my reservation and the front desk children tell me "OH No, you can't bring your Cats here." That started a long arguement and the manager got involved. I told them "You better check your website and headquarters staff because it says Yes you do accept pets."

I even showed them the paper with the rules. The manager said it's up to discretion of the property to allow pets, claiming a maid was bit by a dog. I told them of my situation and the manager walking off said "well just go stay at a friends place."

I told them "well one friend's with family in Florida, another's on a mileage run and the two others are allergic."

I immediately canceled my reservation. The closest hotel I could find was a Days Inn in North Bergen NJ.

NOt the nicest of hotels but I asked to speak wtih the manager and explained my situation. He said as long as I kept my room clean and the cats did not attack the maids I could stay with no pet fee.

When I worked at Extended Stay America, Secaucus I stayed with Yaz and Eddie as my bathroom was being repaired after a flood... My bosses though made me pay the $75 non refundable pet fee. :( Neither liked cats.

Plus I paid regular rate.

FYI: here's another thread if we ever get a Travel with Pets forum ;)

the OP is greedy because he doesn't want to pay for the pet or to show financial responsibility for the potential damages of his pet. Maybe greedy was a bad term, "cheap" is probably more accurate.

Does the fact that thousands of other people do it make it right to you ? Or do you just obey laws that you like and ignore the rest. You sound like a model citizen. Your mother must be so proud...

I guess you never drive 56 in a 55 MPH zone, either.

I find this kind of thread entertaining. All the sanctimonious and self-righteous posts about following all the rules invariably follow.

I only travel for business now, but I wouldn't hesitate to bring a cat in the room if I needed to, policy or no policy (if it was a one night stay). I had to stay in a Residence Inn with our five cats five years ago for about a month when we were moving about 1000 miles cause our house sold too quickly.

Can't remember if we were charged a fee or not, although if we did it was spread out over a month's stay, so it wouldn't have been too painful. Of course I told them we had cats, just never really told them how many.

On a one-night stay I would never pay a huge fee. The hotel is just daring people to bring the pet in without telling them. More power to those people, far as I'm concerned.

I find this kind of thread entertaining. All the sanctimonious and self-righteous posts about following all the rules invariably follow.

Maybe. But I'd sure not like to be the fellow that got that RI room after your month with 5 cats! It would take lots and lots and lots of cleaning to make the room habitable by a person with cat allergies. You probably wouldn't notice, just as a smoker may be oblivious to the residual smells that breath mints and cologne won't hide.

Seriously, there is a good reason hotels either ban pets or charge a steep cleaning fee. I love the little critters, also, but would be upset if I got a room that reeked of cats or cigarettes.

On the rare occasion that I travel with my dogs, I make sure the hotel knows they're with me. If there is a fire or other emergency and I'm not in the room, I'd like at least a chance of someone letting the rescue personnel know to go get the dogs. A friend of mine owned two cats that died in a horrible fire in his loft; he lost everything he had and over the years has rebuilt his life but he's still sad over the death of the cats. I also have the stickers on my windows at home that say "Firefighters, please look for the two dogs inside." I know people come before pets when there's an emergency but I want every little chance I can get. Telling the hotel personnel that you've got pets with you does not guarantee their safety but it's better than them not knowing at all. To me, that is worth the fee, although I do shop around till I find a reasonable pet fee.

Seriously, there is a good reason hotels either ban pets or charge a steep cleaning fee. I love the little critters, also, but would be upset if I got a room that reeked of cats or cigarettes.
Sure isn't that much difference than finding a dead body at the bottom of the bed (humans or animals) when you walk into your room.

How did the feline fare inside the room overnight? Just curious as I don't hear many owners bringing cats in their vacation.

I've only traveled with my cats when moving them and they do NOT like hotels. I've stayed at places that accept cats and go on the cheap as I'm just passing through as I drive. (Gotta admit, can't blame them for disliking the Motel6-guess they take after me!! ;) ) In every instance they have immediately searched out the deepest and darkest corner of the hotel room (usually somehow under the bed) and have proceeded to stay there through the night. I did find one of them sitting and looking out the window once-but as soon as I discovered her, she immediately went back under the bed...

I always give them food, water, litter box (with something underneath it to catch stray litter) and usually nothing has been touched by morning.

When it's time to go, then I get to catch the little darlings and usually end up moving the furniture or crawling on hands and knees to get them out from under. This is definitely not fun. I can say with a pretty high degree of assurance that rooms that have had pets don't get extra cleaning, based on the dust bunnies I've found under beds....

Generally, my cats adapt pretty quickly to new places, so if I were to actually take them somewhere for several days they would most likely adjust in a day or two. But I'd just as soon they not have to deal with the stress-and I'd hate to lose one of them somehow.