In an age where it’s said that houseplants are the new pets and pets are the new kids, it makes sense that traveling with dogs has been on an uptick in recent years. More and more vacation accommodations — from short-term rentals to large hotel chains and boutiques — have embraced a pet-friendly philosophy, even coming up with amenities specifically geared toward babying your furbaby.
This rising trend has been a game-changer for grateful pet owners, and one that we need to protect through good behavior to ensure that we don’t lose the privilege. But because this is a style of travel that is still on the rise and in development, there isn’t really an established etiquette on how to be a responsible pet parent on the road.
So HuffPost spoke with hotel leadership to find out some of the biggest faux “paws” you’ll want to put a pause on when staying at a pet-friendly property, and myths they were more than ready to bust.
1. Pet Fees Aren’t Arbitrary Money Grabs
“A one-time, nonrefundable pet fee is standard in the industry,” said James Green III, general manager for Trilith Guesthouse, a popular movie studio-adjacent boutique hotel in Fayetteville, Georgia. “Preparing a room that previously accommodated a pet requires more time and resources to ensure it’s pristine for the next guest,” he explained, especially since the next occupant may have sensitivity to pet dander and hair. This can include pet hair removal, deep cleaning in case of accidents, and potential damage repair, added Olivia Williams, director of culture and guest experience at the Thompson Savannah.
