Hotels across America are finally letting dogs in — but are the fees worth it?

But Most Still Charge Fees for Nothing

You pack the crate, the leash, the favorite blanket, and the travel-size bag of kibble. You book a hotel that says it welcomes pets.

Then you get there and find out the $150 fee buys your dog a water bowl and permission to sleep on the floor. That gap between what hotels charge and what they actually give dogs is the story of pet travel right now.

About 94 million American households own a pet, 68 million of those have dogs, and hotels are scrambling to figure out how to serve them.

Pet Spending Hit $152 Billion Last Year

Americans spent $152 billion on their pets in 2024, up from $147 billion the year before. That money goes to food, vet bills, grooming, and now travel.

More dog owners are hitting the road and the skies with their pets than at any point in the past. Hotels, airlines, and vacation rental platforms are all racing to capture a piece of that spending.

The numbers keep climbing because the relationship between Americans and their dogs has changed. For millions of families, leaving the dog behind is no longer an option.

More Owners Are Flying With Their Dogs

Among dog owners who travel, 74 percent flew with their dog in the past year, according to industry data. That figure was 68 percent in 2023.

Road trips remain even more popular, with 87 percent of traveling dog owners taking car trips with their pets. The trend runs strongest among millennials and Gen X travelers, but younger generations are catching up fast.

About 55 percent of dog owners now say they shape their entire travel plans around their pets. You pick the destination, the hotel, the restaurant based on whether your dog can come along.

Three Out of Four Hotels Accept Dogs Now

About 75 percent of American hotels, from luxury brands to budget chains, now allow pets. That sounds like good news, but the policies vary wildly from property to property.

Each hotel often sets its own rules on size limits, breed restrictions, and fees. A Hilton in one city might welcome large dogs while another Hilton across the state turns them away.

Even hotels within the same brand play by different rules. You should always call the specific property before you book, not just check the chain’s website.

The Pet Fee Covers Almost Nothing

A 2025 study looked at 1,000 pet-friendly hotels worldwide and found that more than 80 percent charge pet fees ranging from $50 per night to $250 per stay.

Nearly one-third of those hotels provide no more than two basic amenities, usually a bowl or a bed. Only 18 percent of hotels in the study let dogs stay for free.

The rest collect the fee and call it a cleaning charge, even when they provide no actual services. Many travelers say they pay a premium just for the right to have their dog sleep on the carpet.

Some Chains Let Dogs Stay Free

Not every hotel charges for the privilege of bringing your dog.

Kimpton Hotels, part of IHG, accepts pets of any size, breed, or species at no charge across all its properties. The brand adopted its company-wide pet policy back in 1992, before most hotels even allowed animals.

Red Roof Inn welcomes one pet up to 80 pounds at no fee at most locations. Motel 6 allows up to two pets weighing a combined 150 pounds for free.

Aloft Hotels, part of Marriott, accepts dogs up to 40 pounds at no extra cost.

Other Brands Bundle Real Amenities

Canopy by Hilton has partnered with BarkBox to give dogs toys, treats, and local guides to dog-friendly spots in each city. About 80 percent of all Hilton hotel locations now accept pets.

Marriott runs more than 1,600 pet-friendly properties across its brands, with beds, bowls, and treats at many locations. Some Hyatt Place and Hyatt House properties charge a flat $75 fee with a 50-pound weight limit.

Several luxury brands now serve room service menus designed for dogs. You can order your dog a steak while you eat yours.

One New Orleans Hotel Hired a Dog Concierge

In January 2026, BARK Air launched BARK Happy, an embedded hotel concierge program built around dogs. The Windsor Court in New Orleans became the first hotel to carry it.

The program charges $150 per stay and includes pre-arrival planning, personalized treats, custom bedding, and a dedicated concierge team.

Add-on services include guided pack walks through the city’s pet-friendly neighborhoods and canine wellness kits with paw balm and calming products.

BARK Air described the program as a step toward becoming a broader dog-first hospitality company.

Hotels Face Pressure From Vacation Rentals

Pet ownership has climbed steadily, from 56 percent of U.S. households in 1988 to about 71 percent today. Dog owners will pay more for hotels that genuinely welcome their pets.

Industry observers note that travelers resent fees labeled as cleaning charges when no services come with them. Hotels that invest in real dog amenities tend to see stronger guest loyalty.

The rise of vacation rental platforms has pressured traditional hotels to compete for pet-owning travelers who might otherwise rent a house with a fenced yard.

Ask These Questions Before You Book

Confirm the pet policy at the specific property, not just at the brand level. Ask what the pet fee covers and whether any amenities come with it.

Check for size, weight, and breed restrictions before you reserve. Ask whether dogs can stay alone in the room and under what conditions.

Find out if the hotel has a pet relief area on-site or a park within walking distance.

The answers to these questions vary so much from hotel to hotel that you cannot assume anything based on the brand name.

Vacation Rentals Work When Hotels Fail

Vacation rental platforms often give you more space and fewer restrictions for dogs. Some owners prefer rentals because they include fenced yards or direct outdoor access.

However, rental cleaning fees and service charges can add up fast.

Boarding a dog at a standard kennel runs about $35 to $70 per night in 2026, with luxury options topping $100. For many owners, paying a hotel pet fee still beats the stress and cost of leaving their dog behind.

You know your dog, and your dog knows you.

The Industry Sees This Trend Growing

The pet travel services market is projected to keep growing through the end of the decade. Morgan Stanley has forecast that spending on pet services could more than double by 2030.

More hotels will likely move beyond basic tolerance toward genuine dog-friendly programming. Industry groups want clearer standards so travelers know what pet-friendly actually means.

Gen Z pet ownership surged 43.5 percent from 2023 to 2024, signaling the trend will grow with younger travelers. The question is no longer whether to bring the dog, but where the dog will be most welcome.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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