Find a pet-friendly hotel perfect for your dog's personality

Taking a family vacation these days often includes taking the family pet who is, after all, much too important to be left behind. Luxury hotels are taking notice with extensive pet programs dedicated to pampering four-legged loved ones just as they do any other guest.

What's your pet's personality?

FOR THE PREPPY PET…

The Cottages at the Boat Basin: Nantucket Island, Massachusetts
www.harborviewcottages.com
Nantucket vacation travelers, who don’t want to leave home without Fido or Fluffy, will find a warm welcome for them in the Woof Cottages, which are part of The Cottages at the Boat Basin. The newly-refurbished pet-friendly cottages feature dedicated one – and two-bedroom accommodations with stunning views of the sea and unique amenities for both dogs and cats.

Special pet amenities:

Blissful Bed, the ultimate in pet comfort
Welcome basket of pet treats and play toys
Food and water bowls, litter box and litter
Woof Cottages Bandana for dogs or cats
Dog walking services
List of pet-friendly attractions on Nantucket
Directory of veterinary clinics and pet supply stores
List of popular dog runs

Fun pet pick: A Woof Cottage was rented one summer for Ben and Jerry (two cats) for eight weeks while their owners stayed at White Elephant, the sister hotel to The Cottages at the Boat Basin.

FOR THE CELEBRITY CANINE…

The Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows: Beverly Hills, California www.thebeverlyhillshotel.com
Those pets headed to see the stars can be treated like one, too, at The Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows. The Hotel’s Canine Connoisseur Program is designed to welcome and accommodate guests’ precious ones. Dogs are greeted by name at each appearance, and, upon arrival, are personally escorted by front desk agents to their room.

Special pet amenities:

Personalized homemade doggie cookies (shaped like a bone, of course, and carefully concocted from a doggie friendly recipe with the dog’s name in frosting)
Pink “I stayed at The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows” doggie bowls
Special meals prepared by room service
24-hour dog walking service
Washable pink doggie beds complete with Beverly Hills Hotel monogram

Fun pet picks: A dog wedding was held in the ballroom and the current “Lassie” star dog performed the ceremony. The bride and groom dog had lunch after the ceremony at the Cabana Café in full wedding dress and tuxedo gear.

FOR THE DESERT DOGS…

Inn on the Alameda: Santa Fe, New Mexico
www.innonthealameda.com
For the pet and owner who want to enjoy the scenery and the scene, The Inn on the Alameda, welcomes pets less than 30 pounds.

Special pet amenities:

Welcome bag filled with a toy ball, “poop bag,” and Bone-itos Pet Treats
Current issue of Fido Friendly Magazine
Walking map
Special in-room food bowl

FOR THE FASHIONISTA’S FIDO AND FIFI...

Le Meurice: Paris, France
www.meuricehotel.com
Parisians are crazy for les chiens and les chats, and Le Meurice goes out of its way to make sure pets are treated like royalty. Dogs, cats, and pets of all sizes are welcome at Le Meurice and experience gourmet treatment from the moment they enter the hotel.

Special pet amenities:

Pet food and activity preferences are pre-arranged when making reservations
Welcome snack in one china bowl with another for fresh water
24-hour walking service with personalized walk itineraries to keep things interesting

Fun pet picks:
Salvador Dali always brought his two beloved ocelots when staying at Le Meurice.

Several years ago, one of the hotel’s regular guests required surgery at the Hôpital Américain de Neuilly, and his dog accompanied him. A special vegetable soup was delivered each day from Le Meurice, not for the recovering patient, but for his dog!

FOR THE PARISIAN PRINCE/PRINCESS…
Plaza Athénée: Paris, France
www.plaza-athenee-paris.com
Pampered pets are coddled Parisian-style when staying at the Plaza Athénée.

Special pet amenities:

24-hour walking service
Customized pet menus arranged by Room Service

Fun pet pick:
When visiting the Plaza, an infamous guest from Palm Beach travels with an enormously heavy Vuitton trunk filled with squares of live grass to be doled out daily as her doggie’s personal water closet!

POR LOS PERROS Y GATOS…

Hotel Villa Magna: a Park Hyatt, Madrid, Spain
www.villamagna.park.hyatt.com
Spanish canines and felines can siesta in the lap of luxury at Hotel Villa Magna, a Park Hyatt.

Special pet amenities:

Special pooch crib with plush cushion
In-room food and water pools
Customized food to suit pet’s (and owner’s) preferences

FOR THE PAMPERED POOCH…

Park Hyatt Milan: Milan, Italy
www.milan.park.hyatt.com
Park Hyatt Milan offers jet-setting poochies the V.I.P., or rather the V.I.D. treatment with the hotel’s Very Important Dog Program.

Special pet amenities:

Special pet carpet upon arrival
Signature blue water bowl
Red food bowl
Small bottles of purified drinking water
Chewy vitamin bone
Tins of gourmet pet food

FOR THE JET-SETTING PET SET…

Principe di Savoia: Milan, Italy
www.hotelprincipedisavoia.com
Milan ’s Principe di Savoia has long been a favorite of the jet-set and their pet-set alike.

Special pet amenities:

Made-to-order food upon arrival (options include cooked/raw tartare of beef)
Special water bowls

Fun pet pick:
When fashion conscious bow wows get an urge for shopping, the hotel concierge is on hand to point pooches in the right direction and fulfill their clothing and accessory needs.

FOR THE POSH PUP…

The Dorchester: London, England
www.thedorchester.com
June 2006 marks the opening of the new Shop at The Dorchester, Mayfair…and it certainly calls for some posh puppy shopping! Fabulous offerings such as Pucci dog collars and some amazing special dog beds, including one in the shape of a chaise lounge with the hotel’s own Dorchester Dog fabric, are guaranteed to set the tail of even the most pampered pooch a’ wagging.

(Source: Alice Marshall PR)