{"id":13681,"date":"2023-06-07T04:41:59","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T08:41:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/?p=13681"},"modified":"2026-04-14T11:42:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T08:42:26","slug":"vacations-with-dogs-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/vacations-with-dogs-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"What Nobody Tells You About Vacations with Dogs, But Should"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vacations with dogs come with a learning curve no one talks about… and a few surprises I wish someone had told me before my first trip with Zuzu. Here are my four tips for vacations with dogs (plus a shortlist for where to stay).\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have dog, will travel.\u00a0That\u2019s the mantra of more than a few pet owners, including me.\u00a0I\u2019m always happy to have my little cavapoo Zuzu as my wingman on vacation. I especially love the way she puts the \u201cjoie\u201d in \u201cjoie de vivre.\u201d\u00a0 Zuzu reminds me to be in the moment, to enjoy the warm sun and gentle breezes. She’s also the best social opener I could ever hope for.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 74% of dog parents flew with their pups in the past year. Furthermore, 87% of dog owners say they’ve traveled with their dogs by car, turning road trips with your pup into more the norm than the exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I mean, why should my dog stay home? Dogs are known to be good for your health and well-being. They can reduce stress and anxiety, provide company and entertainment, and give you a sense of purpose, all the while encouraging a more active lifestyle. It makes sense then that I’d want to share a spa vacation with Zuzu, upping my wellness quotient as I feed my body and soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Choose a Dog-Friendly Vacation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Dog
Courtesy Nemacolin Resort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hotels and resorts have gotten the message loud and clear, and are making their properties more dog-friendly. But before you get too excited, that welcome mat comes with fine print. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pet fees have crept up significantly at many hotel chains, breed and size restrictions vary widely, and airline pet policies keep shifting. It pays to do your homework before you book. So let’s get into it with my four tips for vacations with dogs (or dog)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Make sure your dog has good manners<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You could be in for some steep charges (and dirty looks from other guests) if your dog damages a hotel room, barks incessantly or attacks other dogs. And there will undoubtedly be times when you\u2019ll need to walk with your pet on a leash, so you\u2019ll want to leash train him\/her before you venture out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

2. Get both of you in shape before your trip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are planning to hike with Fido, be sure both you and your dog are in shape to take on the trails. Don\u2019t forget to take into account higher elevations, which are more taxing on the body and require better conditioning. Likewise, for swimming and boating. You don\u2019t want to get to your resort only to find out your dog is afraid of water!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

3. Plan your transportation carefully<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For air travel, check whether your pet is light enough to ride in the main cabin. Most airlines only allow a limited number of pets per flight on a first-come, first-served basis, and they typically must be under 20 lbs., including their carrier, which must fit under the seat in front of you. If your dog is too big for the cabin, research your other options (and the extra cost).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For road trips, test the drive before you commit to it. How is your dog in the car for more than an hour? Does he or she bark, whine, scratch at the windows or get carsick? Make sure you have a good restraint system in place, such as a doggy seatbelt, harness or secured crate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever your mode of transportation, pack a kit with everything your dog will need: water and food plus bowls, leash, toys, blankets and towels, medications, certificates of vaccination (definitely rabies!), and perhaps a dog bed and a crate or dog gate. Most importantly, plan a stop every few hours so both of you can use the bathroom and stretch your legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

4. Dig into the details before you book<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As for vacations with dogs and where to go, it\u2019s easy to find a high-end hotel chain that allows your pet. Aloft, Fairmont, Ritz-Carlton, Hilton, Hyatt, Kimpton, Loews, Marriott, Sheraton and Westin all welcome pets. Many of these hotel brands even provide essential creature comforts, including dog beds and treats.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve honed in on a resort that allows pets, dig deeper. Can you leave your dog in the room unattended while you go out? Do you have to crate your pet if you do that (noting that you may have to forgo housekeeping service while your pet is unattended). How many dogs are you allowed to bring, and what are the size, weight or breed restrictions?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional questions to ask yourself when planning a dog-friendly vacation. Is there a dedicated and safe area for you to walk your dog, as well as an area where you can let them run a bit? Is there an extra fee or deposit required to bring your pet? What activities will your pet be able to share with you at the resort? Lastly, is doggy daycare available when you will be away from your dog?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Best Vacations with Dogs    <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Zuzu
Courtesy Nancy Monson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Poodle<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Finding a hotel or resort that is dog-friendly can make or break your vacation. I recently stayed (with Zuzu) at the Kimpton Brice Hotel in Savannah, Georgia.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Zuzu and I couldn\u2019t have felt more welcome and cared for. They provided her with a dog bed, and there were treats at the desk for her to munch on, not to mention other dogs to mingle with.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I especially loved the open-air pavilion in the center of the hotel, where Zuzu and I could sit and relax. Best of all, I wasn\u2019t nervous about taking her out for her late-night and early-morning walks since there was a well-lit park just a block away and a doorman I could call if I got into trouble. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result: I relaxed into my spa vacation just the way I planned!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to Book a Dog-Friendly Vacation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Yorkie<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To get you started on your search for a doggie-and-me vacation, below is a shortlist of four-legged friendly properties in North America that I am woofing over. The only thing left to do? Get out there and have a paw-tastic vacation with your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CALIFORNIA<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bardessono Hotel & Spa<\/a><\/strong>: Your pooch will lounge in the lap of luxury at this stunning Napa Valley property<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sanctuary Beach Resort<\/strong><\/a>: A rare Monterey Bay beach hotel where your furry friend can romp along the seaside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hotel Milo<\/a><\/strong>: This Santa Barbara boutique hotel is the quintessential California getaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

CANADA<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Long Beach Lodge Resort<\/a><\/strong>: The Tofino area in British Columbia is a paradise for pups and their owners who love the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

H\u00f4tel Fairmont\u00a0Le\u00a0Ch\u00e2teau Frontenac<\/strong> Spa<\/strong>: Oh la la. Canada’s most beloved hotel in Qu\u00e9bec is one for the doggie books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

EAST COAST<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

La Tourelle Hotel & Spa<\/a><\/strong> | New York<\/strong>: No longer a ’60s\u00a0hippie hangout, Ithaca has rightly come of age, and this family-run inn happily welcomes your four-legged family member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Topnotch Resort<\/strong> | Vermont<\/strong>: Sophistication meets alpine luxury at this Stowe country retreat and spa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa<\/a> | Pennsylvania<\/strong>: No bones to pick here. Your furry friend has its own spa and lodging at Wooflands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skyterra Wellness Retreat<\/a> | North Carolina<\/strong>: Bring your furry bestie here for the ulti-mutt healthy vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

SOUTHWEST<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Hotel Valley Ho<\/a> | Arizona<\/strong>: This locally owned Scottsdale hideaway combines the best of contemporary modernism with classic mid-century design details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Devil’s Thumb Ranch<\/a> | Colorado<\/strong>: A secluded homestead with true pup-preciation, a wilderness haven where your dog can roam free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Woodlands Resort<\/a> | Texas<\/strong>: Just north of Houston, everything is bigger here. Even the pet-friendly guest rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lake Austin Spa Resort<\/a> | Texas<\/strong>: This barkworthy sanctuary in the heart of Hill Country delights guests with its world-class spa and waterfront accommodations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red Mountain Resort<\/a> | Utah<\/strong>: An adventure resort near Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks that does R&R like no other mountain hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Corgi<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Snapshot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n