Considering their dog to be an "equal member" of the family, most people feel guilty about leaving their pet at home while they go on vacation. In this case, dog friendly hotels become a very attractive option, as they help to avoid stress and expense of kenneling a dog or finding a sitter. You no longer have to part with your beloved pet even for a short peroid of your holiday.

Considering their dog to be an "equal member" of the family, most people feel guilty about leaving their pet at home while they go on vacation. In this case, dog friendly hotels become a very attractive option, as they help to avoid the stress and expense of kenneling a dog or finding a sitter. You no longer have to part with your beloved pet even for a short period of your holiday.

Several years ago traveling with a dog used to mean you were destined to stay at a cheap roadside pet-friendly motel or smuggle the dog into your room, but times have definitely changed now. Upscale chains are adopting new pet-friendly policies; dogs are not simply tolerated, but often indulged and treated individually. With amenities such as turn-down service in custom beds, plush doggie robes, and even in-room doggie massages, dogs are welcomed as an important member of the family.

The most recent chain to adopt a canine-friendly policy is Starwood Hotels & Resorts. It has elaborated a program called "Starwood LTD (Love that Dog)". Under the new program, dogs can have their own designer beds in which to luxuriate. All the Starwood hotels will offer food and water bowls and temporary ID tags with the hotel's contact information.

Hotel Monaco also started the pet-friendly trend, and continues to offer exceptional service to dogs. Dogs are offered doggie cookies, temporary ID tags, and a one-hour walking service. Dog sitters are on hand if you need to leave your dog for a while and don't want it to be lonely. Dogs are also provided with food and water bowls and a dog walking map.

Loews, another upscale hotel chain, has a peculiar "Loews loves pets" program. Guests are greeted with a personal note from the manager with important information like local dog-walking routes, local veterinarians, pet attractions, and nearby pet-friendly restaurants. Loews also has pet room service, which includes healthy selections, vegetarian entrees and traditional dry and canned pet foods.

If you think of all the high quality amenities for dogs as unnecessary luxuries, you may choose budget hotel chains that are also changing their attitude toward dogs, traveling with their owners. Now it is easy to find a dog friendly hotel just about anywhere you travel. Being not a budget hotel, all Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts accept pets under 15 pounds price. La Quinta Inns have over 350 hotels that are all pet-friendly. They will accept cats and dogs up to 50 pounds with no extra fees or deposits. Motel 6 has over 800 locations that accept pets under 25 pounds. Red Roof Inns accept dogs up to 80 pounds, and has over 250 locations. Travelodge has over 300 dog-friendly locations across the U.S., and Days Inn has 3 times more. Dogs who stay with their owners in dog friendly hotels don't get depressed about being left behind, and may benefit from a change of scenery and more time spent with family. Moreover, owners avoid the guilt of leaving their pets behind.