8 Questions to Ask a Hotel Before You Book With Your Dog

A booking site's "pet-friendly" tag doesn't tell you the fee, the weight limit, or whether you can leave your dog in the room during dinner. Call the hotel itself, not the chain's central reservations line, and ask these questions. Get the answers in your confirmation email if you can.

What is the total pet charge for my stay? Ask if it's per night or per stay, per pet or per room, and if there's a cap. La Quinta, for example, posts up to $25 a night with a $75 cap per stay (La Quinta). Drury posts at least $50 a night, varying by hotel (Drury).
Is there a refundable deposit on top of the fee? Ask how and when it's refunded.
Weight and number limits? Drury allows 2 pets with a combined weight of 80 lb or less (Drury pet policy). Some La Quinta hotels set their own weight limits.
Can my dog stay alone in the room? Many hotels say no, ever (Drury does). If you plan to eat out, ask whether a crate changes the answer, or plan for a chain with clearer rules.
Which rooms are pet rooms? Some hotels limit pets to certain floors or ground-floor rooms. That helps with late-night potty trips.
Where can my dog go to the bathroom? Ask about a pet relief area and waste bags.
What happens if there's a noise complaint or damage? Drury says you pay for repairs and lost revenue from noise complaints and may be asked to leave without a refund.
Is the fee waived for a service dog? Under the ADA, a hotel that charges pet fees or deposits must waive them for a trained service dog. Staff can ask only two questions: is the dog required because of a disability, and what task is it trained to do? Dogs whose only job is emotional support aren't service animals under the ADA (ADA.gov). A hotel can still bill you for damage if it charges other guests for damage.

Before you leave home

Pack vaccine records. Some hotels and any emergency kennel will ask. See which vaccines boarding kennels require.
Make sure your dog's microchip registration has your current phone number: find your dog's microchip registry.

Compare posted fees: hotel chain pet fees compared · Indianapolis hotels

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