Where to Stay When You’re On Your Way…And When You Get There

Pets are on the move — as 65% of U.S. households have at least one furry, feathered, or four-legged family member. Moving with pets usually means staying at pet friendly lodging at some point during the moving process.

There are a lot of pet friendly accommodations out there, and it can be tempting to just hit the road assuming that you’ll find something suitable along the way or in your new town. Having a solid overall plan when moving with your pet can help ensure that the little foibles and detours that may come along don’t turn your exciting new life chapter into a soap opera.

Planning your route, and when and where you’re going to stop to spend the night will free up your time, save you money, and ensure a stress-free road trip to your new home.  Further, moving into a new home is not always seamless — you may need to find longer term pet friendly accommodations if your new home isn’t ready for move-in.  Here are some things to factor in when searching for lodging for pets on the move.

Availability of Pet Friendly Rooms

While many pet friendly accommodations allow pets in every room, others only have a few pet designated rooms, which can fill up quickly. Finding pet friendly lodging along your route and booking ahead of time is a must – you don’t want to show up only to be turned away and left scrambling for other options.

Pet Fees & Policies

Some pet friendly hotels have weight or breed restrictions, and some have standard pet fees. Meanwhile, other accommodations welcome pets of any size, at no additional charge. It’s very important to know about a hotel’s pet policy before you book a room so that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises.   

Budget

Moving can be expensive, and you most likely have a budget you’d like to keep under control. Fortunately, there are pet friendly hotels out there for every budget.  Many economy motels are located along major highways, making it very convenient for quick overnight stays.  You’ll also find a good number of mid-range hotels along your route. This category offers quality service and more amenities, at an affordable price. If you’re looking to splurge on a luxury hotel, you’ll find plenty that will welcome your furry sidekick — though you may likely have to veer further off your travel route a bit.

Pet Amenities

The degree of “friendly” in pet friendly can vary widely among hotels, from those that offer a “pee patch” in the grass between parking spaces, to those that have designated potty areas complete with doggie waste bags.  Then there’s those that really roll out the welcome wagon for pets, complete with a basket of doggie treats and a cuddly bed.

If you’re just looking for a place to crash so you can quickly head back out, you might be okay with a bare-bones approach to pet friendly amenities. However, if you plan to settle in a little, you might want to look for a hotel that warmly welcomes your furry kid. Either way, it’s important to find a hotel that has the amenities you’re looking for, so that you’ll have a comfortable and satisfying experience.     

Extended Stays

Maybe there’s a closing delay, or your new home isn’t quite ready for you yet. For a variety of reasons, people who move sometimes find that they need to fill in the gap between their arrival in their new neighborhood, and their ability to actually live in their new home. Extended stay hotels are a great option – they are affordable, typically have kitchens, laundry facilities, and other amenities that make staying longer than a few nights comfortable. Many of them welcome pets. If there’s any possibility that you may need temporary lodging in your new town, you may want to look into an extended stay hotel as an option.

Planning ahead to find the right pet friendly place to stay with your pet is essential for a smooth move. Make up your mind to enjoy the journey, and you will likely find that this new life chapter is sweeter because it’s shared with your pet.
TripsWithPets.com is the premier online pet friendly travel guide — providing online reservations at over 30,000 pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the U.S. and Canada.  When planning a trip, pet parents go to TripsWithPets.com for detailed, up-to-date information on hotel pet policies and pet amenities.  TripsWithPets.com also features airline & car rental pet policies, pet friendly activities, a user-friendly search-by-route option, as well as pet travel gear. For more information, please visit http://www.tripswithpets.com