Finding a hotel that claims to allow dogs takes 30 seconds on Google. Finding one that allows your dog โ your size, your breed, without a $75 per-night fee ambush at checkout โ is the real problem. This guide names all 20 hotel chains that regularly accept dogs, exactly what each costs, who works best for large dogs, and the one question you must ask before booking.
Tap any button to search nearby. Your browser may ask for your location โ allow it for the most accurate results. Map loads below each tap.
The phrase “dog-friendly” on a hotel listing is a marketing term, not a policy. A hotel can say it’s dog-friendly while capping dogs at 25 lbs, charging $50 per night in pet fees, assigning you to a ground-floor room next to the dumpster, and requiring your dog to be crated any time you step out for dinner. The only reliable protection is a three-minute phone call to the specific property after booking โ not to the chain’s 800 number, but to the hotel itself. Ask: “What is your exact pet fee for a [X]-pound dog? Is it per night or per stay? Can I leave my dog in the room unattended?” These questions prevent the overwhelming majority of check-in conflicts that ruin first nights of trips.
These are the questions that go unanswered on most hotel websites. Every answer below reflects how current policies actually work across the 20 chains covered in this guide.
-
1
Which hotel chains allow dogs with absolutely no extra fee? Zero pet fee: Kimpton, La Quinta, Motel 6, Red Roof Inn (first dog free), Loews Hotels (limited locations) ยท These five chains don’t charge for your dog at all โ the room rate is the total costPet fees are where most dog-owner travel budgets get blindsided. A $29/night nightly rate that carries a $45/night pet fee is a $74 room โ but the pet fee only appears at checkout after you’ve committed emotionally to the booking. Kimpton Hotels was the first major chain to build a no-fee dog policy and has maintained it since 1992. La Quinta by Wyndham also charges nothing, and with over 900 locations across the country it’s the most widely accessible no-fee option for road trips. Motel 6 allows two pets per room at no charge at all locations. Red Roof Inn allows the first dog free with a $15 per-night charge for a second pet. Loews Hotels’ “Loews Loves Pets” program is fee-free at its locations, though it’s a smaller boutique chain. At every other chain on the list โ even ones with the word “friendly” in their marketing โ you will pay a pet fee that varies from $20 per stay to $150 or more for a week-long stay.
-
2
Can my dog stay in a hotel with me? Yes โ at any hotel on this list ยท All 20 chains listed here allow dogs by policy ยท Restrictions exist on size, number, and specific room types ยท Confirm your specific dog’s weight with the hotel before arrivalYes, your dog can stay in a hotel with you โ but the exact conditions vary by chain, by franchise location within the chain, and sometimes by which room type you booked. The 20 chains in this guide all accept dogs as a corporate policy, but franchise ownership means individual hotels can set stricter rules within that policy. A Best Western in Denver may allow 80-pound dogs with no fee, while a Best Western franchise in Miami may cap at 40 pounds with a $50 charge. The only chain in this guide that genuinely has the same policy at every single location is Kimpton โ no weight limit, no breed restriction, no fee, full stop. Every other chain requires you to verify with the specific address. The AKC advises bringing vaccination records on any hotel trip with your dog โ some properties ask for rabies documentation at check-in, and having it eliminates any friction.
-
3
What is the most dog-friendly hotel chain in the USA right now? Kimpton Hotels โ no weight limit, no breed restriction, no fee, amenities provided, pets celebrated ยท Limited to 68 locations mostly in major cities ยท For wide availability: La Quinta has 900+ locations, no fee, large dog acceptance at most propertiesBy almost any measure โ policy generosity, fee structure, amenity quality, and breed/size inclusiveness โ Kimpton Hotels is the most genuinely dog-friendly hotel chain operating in the United States. Their policy hasn’t wavered since 1992: any pet that fits through the door is welcome, with no size limit, no breed blacklist, and no pet fee. Staff receive training on welcoming animals; many properties offer a loaner dog bed, water bowl, and mat in the room without being asked. Some locations have a “Yappy Hour” for dogs in the bar area. The practical barrier is coverage: 68 locations means Kimpton is only an option in major metro areas. For road trips through smaller cities, La Quinta is the next-best consistent choice โ widely available along major highway corridors, no pet fee at most locations, and large dog acceptance at the majority of its 900+ U.S. properties. The combination of those two chains covers most travel scenarios for dog owners who are focused on avoiding fees and avoiding breed-based rejections.
-
4
What hotels allow large dogs over 50 lbs near me? Best options for large dogs: Kimpton (no weight limit), Sonesta (no weight limit), Red Roof Inn (80 lbs), Best Western (80 lbs), La Quinta (varies, many locations allow large dogs) ยท Most restrictive: IHG lifestyle brands, many Marriott properties capped at 40โ50 lbsLarge dog owners โ Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Huskies โ face restrictions at more hotels than owners of smaller breeds realize. The 50-75 lb caps that appear so often in hotel pet policies exclude dozens of popular family dog breeds that are objectively well-behaved and quiet. Kimpton’s unlimited weight policy is the most cited advantage among large dog owners for exactly this reason. Sonesta’s PAWS program similarly removes weight and breed discrimination across its portfolio. Red Roof Inn’s 80-lb limit covers the vast majority of large breeds. Best Western’s 80-lb limit at its 1,200+ pet-friendly North American locations makes it the most accessible large-dog option with wide geographic coverage. When researching a specific chain property, search the hotel’s individual webpage for “pet policy” rather than relying on the chain’s central website โ some locations post their actual weight limit there, saving you the phone call.
-
5
How do I find dog-friendly hotels along a road trip route? Best tool: BringFido.com โ enter your full route, filter by fee, weight limit, and species ยท Build your night stops around La Quinta and Motel 6 on major corridors ยท Book pet rooms 3โ5 days ahead โ they have fewer rooms than standard inventory and fill fasterRoad trips with dogs require advance planning in a way that solo travel doesn’t, because pet-friendly rooms are a subset of total hotel inventory. A hotel with 120 rooms may have only 8 designated for pets โ and those 8 fill before the other 112 on busy weekends. BringFido.com is the most purpose-built search tool for this: it lets you enter a departure and destination city, shows pet-friendly hotels along the route filtered by your dog’s specific needs (weight, number of pets, fee range), and pulls reviews from verified dog-owner guests who describe whether the outdoor situation was adequate. For the actual booking, always go to the hotel’s own website or call directly โ third-party booking sites frequently show “pets allowed” without displaying pet fee totals, weight limits, or whether a pet room is still available. La Quinta and Motel 6 are the road trip backbone for most dog owners because both chains have dense presence along I-40, I-10, I-80, and I-20, both charge no pet fee, and La Quinta allows two pets at most locations with minimal restrictions.
-
6
Do Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt hotels allow dogs? Marriott: select brands (Aloft, Element, W Hotels allow dogs) โ not standardized across all 30 brands ยท Hilton: select brands (DoubleTree, Hampton Inn at most locations, Homewood Suites all properties) โ fees and limits vary widely ยท Hyatt: Hyatt Place and Hyatt House most likely โ no chain-wide policy, must confirm per locationThe three largest hotel loyalty ecosystems are worth understanding because many travelers prioritize earning points over finding the best dog policy โ and finding where dogs fit in each helps. Marriott Bonvoy covers 30+ brands; the most reliably dog-friendly within Marriott are Aloft (90+ pet-friendly U.S. locations with a dedicated dog program), Element (extended stay, all locations accept pets), and W Hotels (no weight limit at pet-friendly properties, typically a $100 stay fee). Marriott’s traditional brands like Courtyard, Renaissance, and Westin vary so much by individual property that no generalization holds. Within Hilton Honors, DoubleTree allows dogs at over 120 U.S. properties with a max $75 non-refundable fee. Homewood Suites became fully pet-friendly across all U.S. and Canada properties in 2022, making it the most consistent Hilton option. Hampton Inn allows dogs at most locations, but policies vary enough that calling ahead is non-negotiable. Hyatt Place and Hyatt House are Hyatt’s two most pet-friendly brands, typically charging a flat $75 fee for stays up to 6 nights and a $175 fee for longer stays, with combined pet weights often capped at 75 lbs.
-
7
Can I leave my dog alone in the hotel room? Depends entirely on the chain and property ยท Kimpton: generally yes, and provides a “Pet In Room” door sign ยท Most chains: require crating when unattended ยท The real risk: a barking dog triggers noise complaints and can result in being asked to leave ยท If your dog has separation anxiety: plan how you’ll handle mealsThis is the question most hotel websites answer vaguely or not at all, and it matters enormously if you’re planning to eat dinner, attend an event, or spend any time apart from your dog. Kimpton is the most accommodating: they actively encourage leaving pets in the room and provide “Pet In Room” door hangers so housekeeping knows to knock and wait. Most other chains technically permit leaving dogs unattended if they’re crated โ the crate requirement prevents furniture damage and reduces the barking that causes neighbor complaints. The practical reality is that a dog who barks continuously when left alone in an unfamiliar environment is a serious problem regardless of chain policy. Neighbors complain quickly, the front desk calls your mobile, and if the issue continues you may be asked to vacate regardless of what your booking confirmation says. If your dog has significant separation anxiety or is not accustomed to new environments, think through this before booking a multi-night stay and consider whether a dog-sitting service for evening meals makes the trip workable.
-
8
What breed restrictions do dog-friendly hotels have? Most common restricted breeds: American Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher โ often labeled “aggressive breeds” ยท Chains with NO breed restrictions: Kimpton, Sonesta PAWS ยท Chains where breed policy varies by franchise: La Quinta, Best Western, Choice Hotels ยท Always mention your breed when calling to confirmBreed restrictions in hotel pet policies are inconsistently applied and often irrational โ a well-trained, calm Rottweiler poses less risk to a hotel room than an anxious, destructive small dog, but only one of them will be turned away at the door. The breed restriction issue is most acute at franchise-owned properties of major chains, because individual owners can impose stricter rules than the corporate standard. This makes the call-ahead step even more important if you have a breed that appears on common restriction lists. When calling, be specific: “I’m traveling with a [breed] โ is there any restriction on this breed at your property?” A clear “no” confirmed verbally, noted with the date and agent’s name, protects you if there’s any dispute at check-in. Kimpton Hotels is the one chain that formally states no breed restrictions of any kind. Sonesta’s PAWS program is the next most explicit in its breed-neutral policy. For all other chains, the franchise factor makes location-specific confirmation the only reliable approach.
Every chain below has a general policy permitting dogs. Franchise locations may differ โ always confirm with the specific hotel. Rows marked No Fee charge nothing for your dog. Budget = under $100/night typical. Luxury = premium experience.
| Hotel Chain | Pet Fee | Weight Limit | Max Pets | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kimpton Hotels Luxury | $0 โ No fee ever | None โ any size | No limit | Urban travel, large/restricted breeds, luxury stay โ the gold standard |
| La Quinta by Wyndham Budget | $0 at most locations | Varies โ many allow large dogs | Up to 2 | Road trips, best no-fee highway coverage nationally |
| Motel 6 Budget | $0 โ Always free | No weight limit | Up to 2 | Multiple dogs, any size, budget travelers, exterior-facing rooms |
| Red Roof Inn Budget | First pet free ยท $15/night for 2nd pet | 80 lbs (standard) ยท 40 lbs (Red Collection) | Up to 2 | Large dog road trips, budget-conscious, exterior parking |
| Loews Hotels Luxury | ~$100/stay ยท Room service pet menus | No weight limit | Varies | Special occasions, dogs treated to actual room service |
| Best Western | $30/night or $150/week max | 80 lbs ยท 2 dogs | Up to 2 | Widest availability โ 1,200+ pet-friendly N. American locations |
| Sonesta Hotels (PAWS) | Varies by location | No weight or breed limit | Up to 2 | Large and restricted breeds โ no discrimination policy |
| Extended Stay America | $25/night per pet (first 6 nights) ยท $15/night after | 36″ height and length limit | Up to 2 | Long stays (weeks/months), suites with kitchens |
| Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, EconoLodge, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion) | $15โ$75/stay varies by brand | 30โ80 lbs varies by brand | Up to 2 | Sheer availability โ 2,500+ pet-friendly properties worldwide |
| Aloft Hotels (Marriott) | $50โ$75/stay typically | 40โ70 lbs typically | Up to 2 | Modern design hotels; ARRF dog-running program at some locations |
| Homewood Suites (Hilton) | Varies by location | Varies โ call ahead | Up to 2 typically | Extended stays with full kitchen; all U.S./Canada properties accept pets |
| Hampton Inn (Hilton) | Varies by location | Varies โ must call | Varies | Most U.S. locations accept dogs; widely available; call each property |
| DoubleTree by Hilton | Max $75 non-refundable | 75 lbs typically | Up to 2 | 120+ dog-friendly U.S. properties; mid-range comfort |
| Hyatt Place | $75/stay (up to 6 nights) ยท $175 longer stays | 75 lbs combined (2 pets) | Up to 2 | Earn World of Hyatt points; Pet Door hanger provided; moderate price |
| Hyatt House | $75/stay typically | Varies by property | Up to 2 | Extended stay with residential feel; earn Hyatt points with your dog |
| W Hotels (Marriott) | ~$100/stay | No weight limit at most | Up to 2 | Luxury urban travel; no breed or weight restriction at pet-friendly properties |
| Element Hotels (Marriott) | Varies | Varies | Up to 2 | All properties accept pets; extended stay with studio/kitchen suites |
| Four Seasons | Often free at select properties | Varies โ some cap at 25โ30 lbs; some unlimited | Varies | Ultra-luxury; dog beds, spring water, handcrafted treats, grooming services |
| Americas Best Value Inn | $10โ$20/stay typically | 25โ60 lbs typically | Up to 2 | Budget road trips; 600 pet-friendly locations; very affordable |
| Candlewood Suites (IHG) | $75โ$150/stay ยท Refundable deposit | 80 lbs ยท Up to 2 dogs | Up to 2 | All properties accept pets; extended stay with kitchenettes; IHG rewards |
Most of the chains above are franchised, meaning individual owners operate within corporate guidelines but can set stricter policies. A La Quinta in one city may accept any-size dogs while one 30 miles away caps at 40 lbs. After booking online, call the hotel’s direct number โ not the chain’s main line โ and ask three things: the exact pet fee structure, your dog’s weight is within their limit, and whether a pet room is actually available for your dates.
- Step 1: Search BringFido.com using your exact destination or route โ it shows verified pet policies, actual fees, and weight limits from real dog-owner reviews, not chain marketing language.
- Step 2: After booking online, call the hotel’s direct number (not the chain’s main line) and confirm: exact pet fee per night or per stay, your dog’s weight is within their limit, and a pet room is reserved for your dates.
- Step 3: If you have a restricted breed (Pit Bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Doberman), ask the specific property directly about breed restrictions before booking โ corporate policy and franchise policy are not always the same.
- Step 4: Pack: vaccination records (especially current rabies certification), a crate or travel pen even if you don’t typically use one, enzymatic cleaner spray, your dog’s regular food, a familiar blanket, and collapsible water bowls.
- Step 5: At check-in, request a ground-floor or exterior-access room if available โ far easier for nighttime and early-morning bathroom walks. Ask where the designated outdoor relief area is before you need it at midnight.
All hotel chain policies, fees, weight limits, and breed restrictions listed are based on publicly reported corporate standards and may differ at individual franchise properties. Policies change frequently โ always verify directly with the specific hotel location before travel. The American Kennel Club, BringFido.com, and GoPetFriendly.com offer additional resources for verifying individual property policies. This page has no affiliation with any hotel chain, booking platform, or pet travel organization.