Travelers who can’t bear to leave their furry friends behind when they go on vacation, can bring them along to these Florida hotels without fear of finding a “no dogs allowed” sign. Some of them not only allow pets, but they pamper them as well with special treats. Here is a list of pet-friendly accommodations in a half-dozen popular Florida destinations.
— Jupiter Beach — The Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa rolls out the red carpet for dogs with its Pampered Pups pet-friendly program. Canine companions 25 pounds or less and with proper vaccinations can tag along to enjoy a relaxing stay at the beach. Several pup-friendly areas have been designated to help guests maximize pet play time, including areas on the resort’s private stretch of sand, Juno Beach’s public beach, and the pup walking zone. Guests can also head out for an entire doggy day out on the water taxi from Singer Island to Peanut Island, and at six local pet-friendly restaurants. Pup wash stations on property allow for quick rinsing after a romp in the sand, and each guest room is outfitted with a deluxe pet bed, and food and water bowls. A $25 per day, per pup fee covers their stay, with 10 percent of each daily charge donated to Palm Beach County’s Safe Harbor Animal Rescue. And this program can be applied to any package or rate special. Visit www.JupiterBeachResort.com.
— Key West — Would Spike enjoy a nice comfy bed on his travels? He will find it at The Westin Key West Resort & Marina. The resort allows dogs up to 40 pounds. There is no fee for the furry friend, but owner must sign a waiver at check-in. And Spike gets a Westin Heavenly Dog Bed is complimentary upon request. Visit www.westinkeywestresort.com.
— Longboat Key — The Hilton Longboat Key features Hilton Hotels pet program, welcoming up to two pets per room, maximum 75 pounds, and gives them such amenities as a travel tote with treats, bio-degradable waste bags, pet pillow, pet bowls and a placemat. The resort charges a one-time fee of $75. Visit www.hilton.com/longboatkey.
— Orlando — The three onsite Universal Orlando AAA Four Diamond resorts are pet-friendly, beyond the complimentary water bowl and dish each pet receives. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort both offer the “Loews Loves Pets” program whereby owners of pouches and kitties can order from a pet room service menu with such items as Bow Wow Tenderloin and Kitty Salmon Supreme. All recipes are veterinarian-approved. Additionally, the hotels give a pet I.D. tag to all four-legged guests as well as a pet treat. The Hard Rock Hotel, the third onsite resort at Universal Orlando, offers a similar program for four-legged guests. There are designated dog-walking areas at each of the three hotels. And pet owners are provided with a list of pet services in the area including pet stores, veterinarians, groomers, parks, etc. Rooms designated for travelers with pets receive extra thorough cleaning. Loews Hotels charges a one-time $25 fee per stay. Log on to www.loewshotels.com.
— Sarasota — The Lido Beach Resort, on Sarasota’s Lido Key, allows dogs and gives them a bone-shaped treat upon check-in. Rules and regulations include a maximum weight of 25 pounds for dogs and they must be at least nine months old, well-groomed and well-mannered. Proof of vaccinations must be submitted and dogs must be flea and tick free. Dogs cannot be bathed in the room. A non-refundable fee of $100 per dog (up to two dogs are allowed per room) is charged to the owner’s account (this covers stays of up to seven days; after seven days, another $100 is charged. Dogs must be kept on a leash and disposable doggie poop bags are provided. Visit www.lidobeachresort.com.
— Vero Beach — The Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, a Kimpton Hotel, boasts Oliver, a cute Lhasa Apso who is the property’s Director of Pet Relations. Amenities at the pet-friendly resort include welcome treats in the lobby, VIP (Very Important Pet) amenity in the room, food and water bowl in the room, doggie bed, and list of nearby veterinarians upon request. The hotel imposes no restrictions as to the number and size of pets and charges no fees for them. Visit www.verobeachhotelandspa.com.
