Vote now! Readers' Choice Awards Best Pet-friendly Hotels of 2026
This time, you get to decide
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Leaving your pet behind can take the fun out of traveling, but if you find the right hotel, you might not have to. The best pet-friendly hotels make it easy to bring them along, providing thoughtful details that turn a simple overnight stay into something you both enjoy. From welcome treats and dog parks to spacious grounds and pet-focused services, that's exactly what our panel looked for in these 15 hotels. Now we want to hear from you: Vote for your favorite and help us highlight the hotels that truly get it right.
Voting period ends on June 17, 2026. We'll announce the winners on June 25.
Nominee 1: Alderbrook Resort and Spa
Union, Washington
Set along Hood Canal near Olympic National Park, Alderbrook Resort and Spa is surrounded by old-growth trees and walking trails—the kind of setting where bringing your dog along makes the whole trip better. The resort has been welcoming four-legged guests for years, and the details reflect that. A partnership with Olympia-based pet supplier Mud Bay brings locally sourced amenities, and touches like dog beds, bowls, snacks, and a welcome card make the stay feel personal rather than perfunctory. With a daily pet fee and a staff that actively encourages guests to ask for whatever their pet needs, it's a well-rounded option for anyone planning to spend serious time outdoors with their dog.
Nominee 2: Arizona Biltmore
Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona Biltmore welcomes up to two dogs per room, and the accommodations are set up with both of you in mind. Beds, bowls, and treats are provided, and the concierge can arrange pet-sitting if your schedule calls for time away. Outside, the property's generous grounds and surrounding walking paths give dogs room to move around, which makes it easier to keep a routine without feeling like you're working against the resort. Guests can enjoy a full resort visit without leaving their dog behind or compromising on what the stay has to offer.
Nominee 3: The Crosby Street Hotel
New York, New York
No pet fees at a 5-star hotel is seriously rare, which is part of what makes The Crosby Street Hotel worth noting. Located in the heart of SoHo, the hotel has a playful, design-forward character. Its sculpture garden gives it a lively, art-filled feel that sets it apart from more formal properties. For pet owners who'd rather skip the stiff atmosphere and added costs that often come with luxury travel, it's a more relaxed way to visit the city without giving anything up.
Nominee 4: The Cypress Inn
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Few hotels have a history as closely tied to pet-friendly travel as The Cypress Inn. Once co-owned by the late Doris Day, it has welcomed dogs for decades in a way that feels well-planned for real pets rather than just accommodating when they show up, earning a reputation as one of the most beloved stays for pet owners in the country. The atmosphere is relaxed and warm, and the hotel's long track record with four-legged guests comes through in how staff interact with pets and their owners from the moment they arrive. Travelers who want a property with real character and genuine history behind it should plan a stop here while along the California coast.
Nominee 5: Fairmont Copley Plaza
Boston, Massachusetts
Dogs aren't an afterthought at Fairmont Copley Plaza, either. The property has a well-known Canine Ambassador program that puts it among the most dog-welcoming hotels in Boston, and that program shapes the atmosphere from the moment guests arrive. Staff treat pet owners and their dogs as regulars rather than exceptions, and the overall experience reflects a hotel that has thought carefully about what it means to actually be dog-friendly, rather than simply marking the box.
Nominee 6: Hotel Cape Charles
Cape Charles, Virginia
Hotel Cape Charles keeps the rules simple: all breeds are welcome, with no size restrictions. That's not as common as it should be, and for owners of larger dogs, it makes a real difference. Pets have room to settle in comfortably, and the surrounding area adds to the appeal with open space for walking and exploring. Some nearby beaches also allow dogs, and the hotel team can point you toward the best spots to visit during your stay, saving you uncomfortable trial and error while exploring a new area.
Nominee 7: Hotel Teatro
Denver, Colorado
Hotel Teatro's location in a walkable part of downtown works in your favor when you're traveling with a dog. Situated near the Performing Arts Center, the hotel is close to grassy areas that make it easy to get outside for walks throughout the day without a long trek. Inside, dogs are treated like VIPs—literally, their names go up on the lobby chalkboard marked as Very Important Pets (VIPs). Rooms are spacious enough for dogs to settle comfortably, and the overall setup has been thought through for guests arriving with a four-legged travel companion in mind.
Nominee 8: 1 Hotel Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Traveling with a dog is natural at 1 Hotel Seattle, where pets are made to feel at home. The hotel skips pet fees and sets things up before you arrive: a welcome amenity for every pup, plus beds, bowls, and healthy food available if you forgot your own or just don't want to travel with it. The location helps, too. Set near Seattle Center, there's a park nearby for daily walks, and the concierge team knows the area well enough to point you toward other local parks, pet shops, and grooming spots. Bringing your dog feels like an intentional part of the trip rather than something you have to plan around and stress about.
Nominee 9: Inn and Tavern at Meander
Locust Dale, Virginia
Inn and Tavern at Meander is a historic estate dating back to the 18th century, set among open land, trails, and quiet roads that give dogs far more room to roam than most hotel stays allow. Guests have noted that the spacious cottage accommodations make it comfortable to travel with larger dogs, and the tavern's outdoor seating means pets can join for both dinner and breakfast. The surrounding area is just as accommodating—several nearby wineries welcome dogs, which adds more options for a full day out. It's less a quick overnight stop and more the kind of place where you and your dog can actually slow down and spend time outdoors together.
Nominee 10: Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel
Los Angeles, California
Tucked into Brentwood, Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel offers a quieter alternative for dog owners visiting Los Angeles. The setting feels removed from the city's usual pace, which makes a noticeable difference when you're trying to keep a routine with a pet. One dog is allowed per room, with a bed and bowls already in place when you arrive. Designated relief areas make it easier to stick to a schedule, and the Pampered Pup Package is available for guests who really want to pamper their pet while they're away from home. It's a comfortable, low-key home base that has clearly been set up with both guests and their dogs in mind.
Nominee 11: The Mark Hotel
New York, New York
The Mark Hotel has built a reputation, across New York and beyond, for treating dogs with the same level of attention as their owners. It starts at check-in, where dogs receive a "Woof Woof Kit" with a designer bed, water bowl, and treats waiting in the room. That first impression sets the tone: this is a hotel that has thought specifically about canine comfort, not one that simply added a pet policy at the last minute. For owners who travel frequently with their dogs and don't want to scale back on quality for themselves and comfort for their pets, The Mark is one of the more serious options available.
Nominee 12: The Nash
Nashville, Tennessee
Set in the heart of Music City, boutique hotel The Nash welcomes well-mannered dogs. A recent addition to the Opal Collection brand of luxury hotels, The Nash no longer offers the Dog-In-Residence program that was part of its former iteration as the Bobby Hotel Nashville, but it still takes a social, personality-forward approach to traveling with pets. For example, pets are welcome at the lively rooftop lounge alongside their owners. The style-forward design of the hotel pulls the whole experience together into something that feels put-together rather than piecemeal.
Nominee 13: Paséa Hotel & Spa
Huntington Beach, California
Paséa Hotel & Spa goes well past the basics when it comes to traveling with a dog. The hotel's "Paw-séa" program includes an expansive 1,100-square-foot outdoor dog park where pets can run and play off-leash, along with a custom dog room service menu that gives them their own share of the stay. Your dog isn't simply tagging along—they have their own itinerary. It's a more considered approach to pet-friendly travel, and one that puts Paséa among properties where the plan for four-legged guests is taken as seriously as that for their owners.
Nominee 14: The Peninsula Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
The Peninsula Chicago is a Midwest benchmark for traveling with a dog, and the layout reflects that. Pet-dedicated room service means your dog doesn't miss mealtime, while "Pet Pages"—staff available specifically for dog walks—cover the times when your schedule fills up. There are also dog-specific spa treatments on offer. Taken together, it adds up to an approach that goes well beyond a standard pet policy, and it's consistent with the hotel's broader reputation for attentive, thorough service throughout a guest's stay.
Nominee 15: St. Regis Aspen Resort
Aspen, Colorado
Small, unscripted moments are often what make a stay at St. Regis Aspen Resort memorable for dog owners. On one visit, valet staff volunteered to watch a guest's German Shepherd while they went to dinner—exactly the kind of gesture that can't be put in a brochure. Beyond that, the setting does a lot of the work: grassy areas nearby make it easy to keep up with walks, and Aspen as a town is notably dog-friendly, with more options to explore together than most mountain destinations. The hotel's attentive service and the town's general openness to dogs make this one of the more well-rounded options in the category.
Our Experts
Marguerite "Peggy" Cleveland
Peggy Cleveland is a travel and food writer passionate about discovering unique eats and memorable destinations. She is the author of 100 Things To Do In Tacoma Before You Die and the upcoming Unique Eats and Eateries of Tacoma. She writes for SheBuysTravel, and her work is syndicated with McClatchy, MSN, and NewsBreak. She specializes in storytelling that highlights local culture, culinary experiences, and inspiring places to explore. Find her on Instagram.
Susan Lanier-Graham
Susan Lanier-Graham is an award-winning food, wine, and travel writer with more than three decades of experience exploring destinations around the world. She has visited luxury resorts, boutique properties, and hidden gems across six continents, bringing a discerning eye to every stay. As publisher of Wander With Wonder, she leads an award-winning digital publication that inspires readers to discover exceptional travel experiences. Her work blends firsthand insight with a passion for storytelling, offering trusted recommendations on where to stay, dine, and explore. Susan’s expertise helps travelers confidently choose destinations that transform trips into unforgettable, experience-rich journeys.
Kurt Jacobson
Kurt Jacobson is a freelance travel writer who covers food, luxury hotels, travel, and wine. His stories appear in over 50 websites and magazines across the United States. Kurt currently resides in Colorado with his wife and two Maine Coon cats. You can follow his adventures on Instagram at @KurtTravels2.