Luxury hotels are great. Some have incredible spas where you can revive your skin and spirit, while others offer rooftop infinity pools with sweeping vistas for miles and miles.
These days, hotels aren’t just for people, though. The best ones have wised up to the fact that more and more travelers have pets (thanks, COVID-19), and many of those people want to travel with their furry companions.
Many pet owners aren’t simply looking for a hotel room with a dog bed tossed in the corner, though; they’re looking for hotels and resorts that let their — let’s all just say it — most-loved family members join in on every part of the experience.
Related: A comprehensive guide to traveling with pets
With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the most over-the-top experiences, packages and programs for pets we could find. From a Southern California resort offering puppy paddleboarding lessons to a hotel that will treat your dog like an A-list celebrity, here are our favorite luxury pet amenities worth planning a trip around.
Pampered pups at The Plaza
Last year, my corgi, Splenda, got to be wined and dined at The Plaza in New York City — one of the world’s most famous hotels.
With the hotel’s Pampered Pup Package ($195), your fur baby can experience a multi-tier tray of dog macarons, food and water bowls (with bottles of Evian), a plush dog bed and a Plaza dog bathrobe. (You can even get the robe custom-fitted to your dog for an extra fee if you contact the hotel 30 days before your arrival.)
But the best treat, in my and Splenda’s experience, was all the love that the incredible staff and fellow guests at this iconic Fairmont property gave to the pets.
The Plaza welcomes two dogs of any size at no additional fee.
Hermes, Tiffany and wine at the Conrad
For some pups, money is no object. When those dogs find themselves in the nation’s capital, they insist their parents book them at the Conrad Washington DC for the $5,999 “Lab of Luxury” package.
Sure, it’s not cheap, but it does include two nights in a “bark-view” suite (or park-view for us humans), a Hermes collar and leash, a Tiffany & Co. water bowl and pet-friendly treats from chef Nelson Lopez. To get out on the town, the package also includes a picnic with car service to take you and your furry companions on a tour of three dog-friendly wineries in the area, a photo session at CityCenterDC and a $500 donation to the Humane Society of the United States.
Dogs up to 150 pounds are allowed at the Conrad Washington DC for a fee of $75. Luckily, that fee is included in the Lab of Luxury package.
A doggy playlist and pet-friendly headphones
The new Hotel Swexan in Dallas is an oasis for pets (and pet owners). It even has an on-staff “pet adventures and wellness specialist,” Crystal Montero, who oversees the property’s pet offerings.
Beyond offering the basics like dog beds and treats, guests can also take advantage of 24-hour dog walking services and pet-friendly spot recommendations in Dallas. You can even borrow a pair of pet-friendly Bluetooth headphones, so your dog can listen to the hotel’s curated “doggy playlist” to relax after a long day of exploring.
Hotel Swexan charges a $150 pet fee and allows dogs less than 35 pounds.
Puppy paddleboard lessons in San Diego
In San Diego, paddleboarding isn’t just for those of us with two legs. At Kona Kai San Diego on Shelter Island, pets and pet parents can enjoy a day out on the water learning the ins and outs (and most importantly, safety) of paddleboarding in the resort’s private marina.
After a fun day in the sun, take advantage of other pet-friendly perks like a 25-minute “Furry Flex” muscle stretch massage from a certified pet massage therapist. Your pup can enjoy dinner from the Pooch Provisions Plates menu at Vessel Restaurant, featuring dishes like Pawnut Butter Crunch and Carrot Sticks ($5).
Two dogs up to 65 pounds are welcome at Kona Kai San Diego for a fee of $100 for up to three nights or $150 for four to seven nights.
A pet massage in Cabo
At The Cape, a Thompson Hotel — and one of TPG’s favorite points hotels in the area — the Currents Spa understands that even dogs get stressed. They know pups have some kinks here and there that need to be worked out, especially on vacation.
That’s why the World of Hyatt-participating property offers the “Sun, Sand and Paws Massage,” an exclusive 25-minute in-room massage for your pooch that costs $149. Sure, that might sound expensive, but can you really put a price on the well-being of your very best friend?
One pet is allowed to stay at The Cape for a fee of $100 per night.
Private gardens and luxury clothes in Rome
At the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, dogs have it made — seriously. With the hotel’s V.I.P. (Very Important Pets) program, which costs 35 euros ($38) per day, dogs have access to the hotel’s private 15-acre Mediterranean park and even a dog walker who can take them to galavant around it.
While pup parents hit the spa, the hotel can arrange to take their pooch to La Dmous Aventina, a local dog spa, for a high-end treatment. And, because Rome is one of the world’s fashion capitals, the hotel can arrange for a cashmere sweater embellished with your dog’s name on it, waiting in the room.
At this hotel, pets are also welcome to join their owners at the Tiepolo Lounge & Terrace or the Imperial Club. But even pets know that the best meal at a hotel is one served in bed; this Waldorf’s in-room pet menu includes a two-course meal for 28 euros ($30) with options like a pasta terrine, tuna and veggie starter followed by lamb and rice as a main.
Small dogs are allowed for 35 euros ($38) per day.
‘Pup-arazzi’ treat dogs like Hollywood stars
The Foundry Hotel Asheville, Curio Collection by Hilton knows that in pet owners’ eyes, their fur baby is a star. That’s why the hotel offers the “Pup-arazzi Adventure Package,” which includes pet-friendly accommodations and a one-hour pup photo session with a local photographer to document your trip to share with the world.
The hotel can also set you up with pet-friendly hikes and ensure that owners are loaded up with treats; the hotel even includes a voucher for a dog bath for a post-hike cleanup. Furry guests will also receive goodies from Patton Avenue Pet Company, like treats and a dog beer (because it’s Asheville).
The package starts at $460. Otherwise, dogs of all sizes are welcome for a fee of $75 per stay.
Doggie donburi for the four-legged foodie
These days, it’s not rare to find hotels offering gourmet dog menus, but few have made dishes so pretty they could snag a spot on a human foodie’s Instagram grid.
In Savannah, the chic Perry Lane Hotel knows exactly what every discerning pup wants: a colorful bowl of doggie donburi made up of juicy grilled chicken breast, cucumbers and green cabbage. But that meal doesn’t have to be served in the room; you can order it at the pet-friendly hotel rooftop bar and lounge, Peregrin. Savannah-bound pups can also expect a Perry Lane bandana, bowls, a bed and treats from the local pet bakery Oliver Bentley.
Dogs up to 50 pounds are welcome at the Perry Lane Hotel for a fee of $150 plus $20 per night.
A pet-friendly reiki session in Santa Fe
At the Auberge Resort Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe, the Land of Enchantment has a beautiful way to connect with your pet on a spiritual level: through the Japanese healing art of reiki.
For $280, you and your pet can opt for the 60-minute “Animal Life Force” ritual, best described by the Stream Dance Spa:
“During this insightful session, our ‘helper’ holds space with the animals as they share helpful information for their humans to know in order to better the animal’s physical & emotional well-being. A pre- and post-consultation with animal guardians is part of the session in addition to a sentimental take-away.”
I’m not sure I can tell you what that means exactly, but I’m told it’s great to help with animals suffering from trauma, stress or injury.
Two dogs are allowed at Bishop’s Lodge for a fee of $100.
Pet-friendly cabanas in Cancun
While many hotels are pet-friendly, pets are often not actually allowed to go many places outside of the room.
That’s not the case at the Waldorf Astoria Cancun, where dogs can hang out by the pool and lounge in a cabana to soak up some warm Yucatan sunshine. As part of the “Rover Night” package, very good doggos can roam around the property, order canine-friendly food from a special pet menu and then cozy up in a special dog bed waiting in the room.
Dogs up to 50 pounds are welcome at the Waldorf Astoria Cancun for a fee of $150.
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