Traveling crosscountry with my dog, do I tell the hotel in advance?
Jul 13, 2014, 3:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Greenville, SC USA
Posts: 859
Traveling crosscountry with my dog, do I tell the hotel in advance?
I have never checked into a hotel with my dog before but am are moving cross country and will spend a number of days on the road and staying in Marriott pet friendly hotels (mostly Residence Inns and Towne Suites). My question is do I just put it in the reservation notes that I will have my dog with me or simply show up. These will be long days of driving solo and I do not want to arrive and be told there are no rooms for her in the inn but I do not see anything on the reservation form that asks for this information regardless of advertising their pet friendliness. Anyone have experience with this?
Jul 13, 2014, 3:32 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
I do not have a pet, but my advice would be to make direct contact with each property, especially if there will be late arrivals to make sure they block you into a preferred room. You might also want to confirm if they impose a pet fee in addition to the room rate. Best to be prepared rather than surprised.
Jul 13, 2014, 3:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: Choice Hotels/FFOCUS
Posts: 7,256
This.
Jul 13, 2014, 3:51 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Do not presume or worse, assume, anything. Call each property and make certain that they will permit your dog and that they have a "dog" room for you. If you are arriving late, call the FD on the day of to make certain that they know that you are on your way.
Also, confirm any special pet fees both in terms of room rate and cleaning.
Also, confirm any special pet fees both in terms of room rate and cleaning.
Jul 13, 2014, 6:36 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
For what it's worth, when I spent a few days driving from DC to Vegas with my dog, we stayed mostly in Motel 6's since they don't have any fees. Mind you, I just stayed at the St Regis in DC this past week, but when I was roadtripping with my dog, Motel 6 for an overnight stay worked out well as we never knew where we were gonna get tired & need to sleep.
That said, you may want to call in advance - or at least have a reservation in advance. If you show up with a reservation, you should be fine with the dog.
Some hotels do have do limitations (i.e. a German Shepard may not be as welcome as a Scottish Terrier due to size & weight).
That said, you may want to call in advance - or at least have a reservation in advance. If you show up with a reservation, you should be fine with the dog.
Some hotels do have do limitations (i.e. a German Shepard may not be as welcome as a Scottish Terrier due to size & weight).
Jul 13, 2014, 9:42 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
For what it's worth, when I spent a few days driving from DC to Vegas with my dog, we stayed mostly in Motel 6's since they don't have any fees. Mind you, I just stayed at the St Regis in DC this past week, but when I was roadtripping with my dog, Motel 6 for an overnight stay worked out well as we never knew where we were gonna get tired & need to sleep.
That said, you may want to call in advance - or at least have a reservation in advance. If you show up with a reservation, you should be fine with the dog.
Some hotels do have do limitations (i.e. a German Shepard may not be as welcome as a Scottish Terrier due to size & weight).
That said, you may want to call in advance - or at least have a reservation in advance. If you show up with a reservation, you should be fine with the dog.
Some hotels do have do limitations (i.e. a German Shepard may not be as welcome as a Scottish Terrier due to size & weight).
Just relocated from Portland, OR to West Palm Beach, FL and used Best Western, Motel 6 and La Quinta Inns along the way. No fees at any of them. Not all Best Westerns take pets though (clearly spelled out on their website).
Jul 14, 2014, 11:31 am
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
My sister used LaQuintas when she traveled w/ the dogs. My advice is if you're sticking w/ Marriott brands, contact the properties in advance so you don't arrive to find out there's a problem.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Jul 14, 2014, 12:14 pm
#8
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
Jul 14, 2014, 12:15 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
With one day stays Marriott's fees are going to be onerous. It is one thing to pay a 75 pet cleaning fee for a 5 day stay, quite another for just 1.
Jul 14, 2014, 1:26 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
Jul 14, 2014, 1:38 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Plum Nelly
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Delta Sky Miles, and S&H Green Stamps
Posts: 636
Jul 14, 2014, 5:44 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Greenville, SC USA
Posts: 859
Thanks Everyone!
Thanks everyone for your quick replies and wisdom. In taking the advise I have read here, I am rethinking my plan to stay in Marriott properties on this roadtrip.
As I have already requalified for next year, I do see the logic of staying at no fee lodgings near the freeway (i.e. La Quinta, etc.) All of the Marriott properties that I was considering had a $33-$100 non-refundable cleaning fee per stay which as someone pointed out is a lot when only staying one night, I had originally thought that was fairly universal fee charged by all hotels and the cost of traveling with a dog, thanks for setting me straight.
As I have already requalified for next year, I do see the logic of staying at no fee lodgings near the freeway (i.e. La Quinta, etc.) All of the Marriott properties that I was considering had a $33-$100 non-refundable cleaning fee per stay which as someone pointed out is a lot when only staying one night, I had originally thought that was fairly universal fee charged by all hotels and the cost of traveling with a dog, thanks for setting me straight.
Jul 15, 2014, 7:19 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Florida
Programs: Marriott Rewards-Lifetime Titanium, Priority Club-Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, United-Silver
Posts: 403
Thanks everyone for your quick replies and wisdom. In taking the advise I have read here, I am rethinking my plan to stay in Marriott properties on this roadtrip.
As I have already requalified for next year, I do see the logic of staying at no fee lodgings near the freeway (i.e. La Quinta, etc.) All of the Marriott properties that I was considering had a $33-$100 non-refundable cleaning fee per stay which as someone pointed out is a lot when only staying one night, I had originally thought that was fairly universal fee charged by all hotels and the cost of traveling with a dog, thanks for setting me straight.
As I have already requalified for next year, I do see the logic of staying at no fee lodgings near the freeway (i.e. La Quinta, etc.) All of the Marriott properties that I was considering had a $33-$100 non-refundable cleaning fee per stay which as someone pointed out is a lot when only staying one night, I had originally thought that was fairly universal fee charged by all hotels and the cost of traveling with a dog, thanks for setting me straight.
Jul 15, 2014, 7:41 am
#14
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 19,040
Leisuremiles,
First... good luck on your move!
I think you are taking the right decision. Since you will be doing many one night stays, the pet costs can add up quickly.
When I had an 8 month stay at a Residence Inn, it only cost $75 total for our two cats... was told it would be that rate for one night or 365 nights!
But on single nights, you could find yourself having pet fees greater than the room fee.
I would plan travel to stay at pet friendly/pet fee free properties. Do realize that some of those properties have limited pet rooms, so book as early as you know where you want to be.
First... good luck on your move!
I think you are taking the right decision. Since you will be doing many one night stays, the pet costs can add up quickly.
When I had an 8 month stay at a Residence Inn, it only cost $75 total for our two cats... was told it would be that rate for one night or 365 nights!
But on single nights, you could find yourself having pet fees greater than the room fee.
I would plan travel to stay at pet friendly/pet fee free properties. Do realize that some of those properties have limited pet rooms, so book as early as you know where you want to be.
Jul 16, 2014, 4:32 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,614
I have never checked into a hotel with my dog before but am are moving cross country and will spend a number of days on the road and staying in Marriott pet friendly hotels (mostly Residence Inns and Towne Suites). My question is do I just put it in the reservation notes that I will have my dog with me or simply show up. These will be long days of driving solo and I do not want to arrive and be told there are no rooms for her in the inn but I do not see anything on the reservation form that asks for this information regardless of advertising their pet friendliness. Anyone have experience with this?
