Dog expert reveals what they look for in a hotel when travelling with a pet

Woman and dog in hotel bed
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Are you considering traveling with your dog some time soon? Many of us will find ourselves doing this over the holiday season, perhaps to see loved ones or even just to get away for a few days.

As a result, you might be looking for a hotel, but how do you find one that’s great for you but dog-friendly at the same time, so your dog can enjoy playing with the best dog toys without a care in the world?

Certified dog trainer Melissa Goodman of Mission Pawsitive often travels and stays in hotels with her dog, Aspen, and she’s offered some advice in a new Instagram post. Let’s see what she always looks for in a hotel.

In the video, Goodman discusses a hotel she often stays in with Aspen in San Diego, California, and explains that she does so because of the spacious rooms that can fit playpens and crates, a pet relief area with rooms opening out to it, and a walking path that goes all around the hotel to the courtyards – while there are other green spaces in the hotel grounds, too.

The hotel is also a short drive away from a dog-friendly cove, and 20 minutes from the center of the city. As Goodman puts it in her caption, “They don’t just allow dogs, but they cater to them!”

There are plenty of things to consider when planning a hotel stay with your dog, but quality outdoor space, spacious hotel rooms, and lots of dog-friendly activities and amenities nearby are all important to think about. Ideally, a quiet hotel is best, too, so your pup can feel comfortable and relaxed – if you want to know how to travel with a dog easily, a calm, relaxed canine can be a lifesaver!

You can search dog-friendly hotels across the world on booking.com.

And don’t forget, there are things you can do to help make traveling with your dog easy and fun, whether you’re staying at a hotel or with friends or family members. Goodman advises, “Bring things that smell like home like their bed or blanket, bring a crate or playpen and brush up on your crate training beforehand if need be, and bring more than you think you’ll need. Aspen typically has much more stuff than me when we travel!”

Not going away with your dog this holiday season, but thinking of planning a trip in the future? Our list of the best travel destinations for dogs could give you some inspiration! Take a look at these tips for traveling with pets, too.

Adam England
Freelance Writer

Adam is a freelance journalist covering pets, lifestyle, health and culture, and he has six years' experience in journalism. He was senior editor at DogTime.com, and has written for The Independent, GoodToKnow and Healthline

He's also spent the last few years studying towards undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in journalism. While a cat person at heart, he's often visiting his parents' golden retriever, and when he's not writing about everything pets he's probably drinking coffee, visiting a cat cafe, or listening to live music.