Nevsky

Hotels Go to the Dogs

The Wall Street Journal, December 28, 2007

I was under the impression that only certain rooms have “gone to the dogs.”

The article mentions that “Dr. Sherrer, who had a severe allergic reaction herself three years ago at a newly pet-friendly Sheraton near Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., has been asking hotels about their pet policies ever since, and says she has found it surprisingly hard to find dander-free accommodations. (A spokeswoman for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., which owns Sheraton, says 'We've received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from our guests about our Pets Are Welcome, or PAW, program.') “

This is a very serious issue for allergic people who can have severe allergic reactions, as one person related in the article. "My lungs just shut down -- I couldn't breathe when I woke up," says Ms. McGill.

Pet dander can also spread from room to room through the sheets (washing does not get all of the allergens out). I mentioned that at one property (at which I had apparently had an allergic reaction from the sheets) and they said they would try to segregate the sheets from the pet-friendly rooms. Now that is being responsible.

Matt-KC

I'm of two minds regarding the pet issue. While I am allergic to cats/dogs, I have not had an issue in any pet friendly hotels with that...surprising since the supposed "deep cleaning" is really nothing different according to the managers I have spoke with (they sure like charging the fee though).

A situation the other night at an SPG property got me concerned on a safety basis though. A guest was walking his very large dog down the hall when it made a lunge at me as we crossed paths. His owners leash yank and my foot stopped the issue right there (and owner did apologize) but it got me thinking about the safety issue for others. Had I been carrying luggage or not paying attention, he likely would have been able to get to me.

I would imagine a few attacks by animals will likely end this policy at some properties. Guests should not have to worry about safety from an animal at a hotel, and since the hotel has no idea how well trained the animals are, it will come down to an issue of allowing pets or not. While a hotel would try to shirk responsibility for an attack, the fact that they have two options, to allow or not allow, the one with less liability will likely win out.

trog

I am starting to notice that the "pet friendly" policies at many Starwood hotels where pets are allowed to stay in pretty much any room are getting to be more of a problem for the vast majority of travelers who don't need to take their pets with them on trips.

I was staying at a property in Orlando last month and a small dog was yapping pretty much 24/7 in an adjacent room. Wasn't in the room too much anyway so didn't ask to switch rooms but this is the second time I was unlucky enough to be next to a barking dog room. Then after these dog rooms are cleaned they sometimes leave an upleasant perfumy smell for the next guest. Not sure how these rooms are cleaned, are they treated with something to kill the fleas etc.? If so, how healthy are insecticides for the next guests?

I have nothing against pets, but if a hotel needs to inconvenience the majority of guests to cater to a few pet travelers, why not just block a few rooms in a portion of the hotel as pet rooms?

I will leave my other gripe for another post, how "smoke free" hotels actually increase the chances of a non smoker smelling smoke in their room.

dingo

I'm not sure where I come down on this one...though I do travel with our 4 pound pup who, due to the breed, does not shed and is among the few that people with allergies can have in their home. I would not want to have a dog barking next to me nor smell remnants of its urine or other 'accidents.' Our dog doesn't bark so I can 'cast the first stone.' At the same time, I have never had a night with a dog barking next to me and if I would I would not hesitate to call the front desk and request / demand it be rectified in some way. I have had numerous sleepless nights caused by crying babies all over the world. I had one night in Paris where the couple a few doors down was either hamming it up, shooting a porn film or was a bit too inspired by the art and architecture. Setting the allergies aside, there is a lot that can ruin a night's sleep in a hotel and I would respond to all of them in much the same manner. I am always reluctant, however, to call about a crying baby. But, really...what is the difference? Should we have 'infant free' sections of the hotel as well?

Let the flaming commence.

Nevsky

I would say having trouble breathing is a lot more significant, not that a good night's sleep is not important too.

Also, "No dog is completely 100% hypoallergenic." (Wikipedia.)