There was a time when finding a hotel that would let you bring your dog along was ruff. Not anymore.
Luxe getaways for dogs (and their humans) are on the rise.
According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 50 percent of dog owners traveled with their pets in 2024. If you’re a dog owner, you already know it’s often much easier (and sometimes less expensive) to bring your hound along than it is to book a dog sitter or reserve a spot at a boarding facility.
Perceptive hotels are taking notice, making it easier to bring Fido along. But they aren’t just adding pet-friendly rooms—they’re introducing once-unimaginable ways to pamper your pooch.
Sweet Dreams for Dogs at Dawn Ranch, Guerneville
(Courtesy of Dawn Ranch)
Sleep wellness is all the rage these days, but at Guerneville’s Dawn Ranch, dogs are getting in on the action with what’s being touted as a first-of-its-kind hotel sleep program designed exclusively for pups.
“At Dawn Ranch, wellness has always been at the heart of what we offer, and we began to notice that many of our guests were bringing their dogs along to share in the experience,” says general manager Teach Mayer. “That inspired us to ask, if we’re creating restorative escapes for humans, why not extend that same level of care and comfort to their four-legged companions as well?”
Along with a peaceful retreat along the river, The Rover’s Recharge package includes use of a cozy pet bed from Pendleton and a doggie-centric turndown service that delivers a collection of goodies for furry guests to keep: a double-weighted blanket, CBD dog chews, and calming spray. There’s even an in-room QR code linking to Spotify’s dog-friendly calming playlists.
// Package starting rate is $550 per night for a two-night stay on weekdays; the weekend rate is $1,650 per night for a two-night stay; 16467 Highway 116 (Guerneville), dawnranch.com
Dog-friendly Dining Cabanas at Little River Inn, Mendocino
(Brendan Mcguigan)
“About a third of our rooms are pet-friendly, and two pet dining tables just weren't cutting it,” says Cally Coombs, fifth-generation innkeeper and owner of Little River Inn.
Located in the hotel garden, a handful of new canine-friendly cabanas make dining a delightful, stress-free experience. Dog owners can open up the sides if their pups are the social type, or zip the walls closed for a safe place to chill. Some cabanas feature tables and chairs, while others have lounge seating.
Coombs travels with her giant Bernese Mountain Dogs, so she goes to great lengths to make Little River Inn welcoming to travelers with canine companions of all sizes. From towels to use after long walks on the beach to cover sheets for furniture to partnerships with other local, dog-friendly businesses such as Kayak Mendocino and the Skunk Train, staff have a long list of recommendations for pet-friendly activities on the coast.
“In a nutshell, we aim to create the dog travel experience that we want when we're traveling with our besties,” says Coombs.
// Weekday starting rate is $270 per night; the weekend starting rate is $300 per night. Pet fees are $30 per pet, per night, for a maximum of two pets per room; 7901 N. Highway One (Little River), littleriverinn.com
Canine Schoolcation at Cavallo Point, Sausalito
(Courtesy of Cavallo Point)
Well-trained dogs are happy dogs, with arguably even happier humans. If you’ve been struggling to find the time to work with your four-legged friend, you can combine a weekend getaway with a dose of hands-on dog training at Cavallo Point. The historic property has joined forces with Bay Area dog trainer Jennifer Sharpe to offer the Art of K9 Obedience program.
“Cavallo Point has always been dog-friendly. We even have a dog-friendly menu available in Sula and Farley [restaurants],” says general manager Martin Nicholson. “Offering training as an added bonus for guests was a natural extension and allows guests to experience top-grade professional training in a controlled environment.”
Semi-private training sessions offer both individual coaching and group time to build skills and practice methods in a realistic environment.
Dog-friendly accommodations at Cavallo Point are available in both historic and contemporary room types; whichever you choose, you can pack light. Dog bedding, as well as food and water bowls by Sausalito Pottery, are available for use during your stay. And, of course, your dog will be spoiled with plenty of treats.
// The Art of K9 Obedience Package starting rate is $799 per night; training sessions are scheduled for September and October; 601 Murray Circle, Fort Baker (Sausalito), cavallopoint.com
Borrow a Buddy, Sonoma + Mendocino
(Courtesy of LaBruixa/Pixabay)
If these getaways sound like fun, but you don’t have a pup, consider treating a shelter dog to a weekend to remember. Sonoma County Animal Services and the Mendocino Coast Humane Society offer “Borrow-a-Buddy" programs that provide dogs with a much-needed break from the shelter and insight that can help them find a forever home.
// Sonoma County Animal Services, 1247 Century Court (Santa Rosa), sonomacounty.gov; Mendocino Coast Humane Society, 19691 Summers Lane, (Fort Bragg),mendocinohumane.org
