According to a survey of dog owners conducted by the pet-sitting website rover.com, 37 percent of respondents confessed to crying before leaving on a vacation without their dog, while 39 percent admitted they have skipped planned trips due to issues with their pets.
With nearly half of respondents with a significant other admitting they'd find it harder to leave their dog for a week than their human partner, it's no surprise the number of people who vacation with pets in tow is on the rise.
About 20 percent of travelers bring their pets on trips, according to the U.S. Travel Association. (Dogs are the most common traveling companions, accounting for 78 percent of traveling pets.)
People traveling with pets spend an average of $103 more than those who don't - and this isn't lost on the hotel industry. Many hotels are now catering to four-legged guests with specialized menus and amenities, and the following are a few of our favorites within a few hours of the Scenic City.
The Hutton Hotel's Happy Tails Pet Program provides perks such as welcome treats and a Hutton Hotel bandana. Pet parents are also provided with supplies for their stay such as food and water bowls, scratching posts, and custom Hutton leashes and placemats.City pets will love Nashville's Hutton Hotel, a boutique gem close to tons of restaurants and things to do in Nashville's trendy West End district. You can even catch a ride to nearby hot spots via the hotel's courtesy shuttle. You'll also feel good about the hotel's green design and eco-friendly practices, such as refillable toiletries, bamboo flooring and lights that cut out as you swipe your card when leaving your room.
Perks for pets: Featuring floors designed specifically for travelers with pets, the Hutton offers four-legged visitors amenities including welcome treats from Bubba Rose Biscuit Co., a welcome toy and a Hutton Hotel pet bandana through its Happy Tails Pet Program. Have healthy, organic snacks delivered to your room from the Furry Friends room service menu, or check out the hotel's list of pet-friendly outings and resources such as groomers and vets. Pet parents are provided with food and water bowls, pet beds, scratching posts, and custom Hutton leash and placemat for use during their stay.
Rules: There are no size restrictions, though guests must provide notice in advance if traveling with pets and pay a one-time cleaning fee of $75.
Keswick Hall offers pet-sitting services, should you want to take a break from your pooch and play a round on its Pete Dye-designed golf course.The walking trails that wind around the 600-acre estate of Keswick Hall in Charlottesville, Virginia, are perfect for strolling with your pooch, with whom you may also enjoy a GPS scavenger hunt on the property. The Charlottesville area offers lots of dog-friendly outdoor activities, including hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains and fly-fishing excursions. Or tour the grounds at Monticello, the former home of Thomas Jefferson, which allows leashed dogs on its grounds.
Perks for your pet: The hotel provides pet beds, food and water bowls, welcome treats upon arrival and chef-prepared meals on request. Though the hotel doesn't allow guests to leave pets in their rooms unattended, it does offer pet-sitting services if arranged in advance of your stay.
Rules: Guests are charged a $75 one-time non-refundable cleaning fee per pet. Dogs must weigh 75 pounds or less, and no more than two dogs are allowed per room. Pets aren't permitted in the hotel's restaurants, bars, pool area or spa, and must be leashed or carried in other common areas.
The luxurious amenities at The Cloister aren't just for humans, who can order organic gourmet cuisine prepared by the resort's chefs for their four-legged companions.
With 5 miles of private beach, three championship golf courses and a massive spa, The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia, offers something for everyone, including pets.
Perks for your pet: The hotel offers a room service menu directed toward its furry guests, with chef-prepared meals featuring all-organic ingredients. Choose a snack for your pampered feline from a selection of fresh sashimi, or treat your canine companion to beef tips braised in veal essence or perhaps sauteed vegetables served with quinoa for the health-conscious pooch.
Rules: Dogs must weigh 35 pounds or less, and a $175 pet fee is charged per room. Guests must make arrangements for housekeeping services when the pet is not in the room. Be sure to keep your dog quiet - more than one complaint and the hotel will require you to place your pet in an off-site boarding facility.
According to a survey of dog owners conducted by the pet-sitting website rover.com, 37 percent of respondents confessed to crying before leaving on a vacation without their dog, while 39 percent admitted they have skipped planned trips due to issues with their pets.
With nearly half of respondents with a significant other admitting they'd find it harder to leave their dog for a week than their human partner, it's no surprise the number of people who vacation with pets in tow is on the rise.
About 20 percent of travelers bring their pets on trips, according to the U.S. Travel Association. (Dogs are the most common traveling companions, accounting for 78 percent of traveling pets.)
People traveling with pets spend an average of $103 more than those who don't - and this isn't lost on the hotel industry. Many hotels are now catering to four-legged guests with specialized menus and amenities, and the following are a few of our favorites within a few hours of the Scenic City.