Have you ever been on a fabulous vacation and wished your dog could be there to enjoy it with you? Problem solved: Bring him or her along to these eight high-end resorts that not only allow dogs, but welcome them warmly. By Amy Levin-Epstein
1. Las Ventanas al Paraíso
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Try the tequila and ceviche bar and the first-rate spa, which includes indoor-outdoor treatment rooms (go for the Romance Ritual for Two with your partner, which involves full-body exfoliation, massage, aromatherapy, a rose petal bath and signature cocktails). Rosewood hotels are renowned for their superbly attentive yet unobtrusive butler services, and now they’re extending that nicety to dogs. At Las Ventanas, butlers will take your pet for a morning and evening walk, bring a portable pet cabana to the beach, give them a doggie massage and even take them to a “doga”—aka dog yoga—class. Their room service menu may even make you jealous, with specials like The Rin Tin Tin (shredded braised beef and steamed rice) and the Mighty Mutt (scrambled eggs, steamed rice and grated cheese). From $1,075 per night for The Gardenview junior suite, rosewoodhotels.com
2. Mandarin Oriental Miami
Miami, FL
The Mandarin Oriental in Miami offers gorgeous ocean views, a world-class spa, a private beach and the chic Asian design the hotel chain is known for. Plus, their MO Pets program will ensure your fur-kid will have as much fun as the rest of the family in Miami. Upon check in, dogs are given a gold Mandarin Orienta collar tag so staff can ID these VIPs. They’re also offered a bed, bone-shaped place mat with bowls, treats and bottled water. Dog food made from grass-fed beef and organic turkey are available from the room service menu. But it’s not all lazy days for canine travelers. Enroll them in Doggie Boot Camp or have the on-call behaviorist come in for Training Date sessions to help them work on issues like jumping and barking. From $319, mandarinorientalmiami.com
3. Topnotch Resort
Stowe, VT
Stowe, VT, has plenty to do in winter, including some of the best skiing you’ll find on the East Coast, and the summer brings other outdoor pleasures like golfing, canoeing and hot air ballooning. Topnotch has a spa that lives up to the name of the resort, and pets are pampered, too. Book your furry best friend in for a Rover Reiki or traditional massage to soothe his muscles after the long drive. The masseuse will come to your hotel room for a private pooch session of 25 or 50 minutes. After he’s decompressed, head to tea time in the lobby where refreshments include dog treats. From $250 per night, topnotchresort.com
4. The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin
Nantucket, MA
The waterfront Woof Cottages at this seaside resort provide bicycle use, in-room massages and concierge service for human guests. However, the real VIPs are pets. They’ll receive a Doggie Turndown service (a bed, treats, toys and bowls, and a commemorative photo and frame to remember the trip), dog-walking services and a personalized dog tag. Ten percent of the $85 dog fee is donated to a local shelter. Look for Sherwood—the resort’s English Labrador Retriever mascot—for an impromptu play date. From $175 per night, thecottagesnantucket.com
5. Ritz-Carlton
Bachelor Gulch
Beaver Creek, CO
This luxe Beaver Creek resort has all the charm of a classic Western mountain resort, with skiing and snowboarding, hiking and golf just steps away. The resort is named after Bachelor, the Saint Bernard who, along with Belle, a Bernese Mountain dog, is a full-time resident. When you arrive, peruse the Bachelor’s Pack list of pet activities, including a Pampered Pup massage and bath treatments, mountain hikes, in-room dining (with all-natural pet food and treats) and local dog parks. From $229 per night,
ritzcarlton.com
6. Loews Coronado
Bay Resort
San Diego, CA
This seaside resort, set on 65 acres overlooking the San Diego skyline and the Pacific Ocean, welcomes families with all sizes of bikes to borrow (including beach cruisers and tandems), three heated pools with cabanas, and concierges waiting to help you. Four-legged members of the family—dogs as well as cats—are equally catered to, with everything you’ll need for their stay, from leashes and collars to a specialized room service menu including rawhide bones and catnip. But what separates this resort from the rest of the doggie-friendly pack is a special extracurricular activity—canine surfing through the Coronado Surfing Academy. From $219 per night, loewshotels.com
7. Hotel Monaco
Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
Located in the Heart of Old Town in historic Alexandria, VA, the Hotel Monaco is about wellness and comfort, with complimentary bikes, yoga mats in the rooms and in-room spa treatments. All Kimpton Hotels are pet-friendly and have been since the company launched in 1981. (Founder Bill Kimpton saw how guests reacted to his miniature collie Chianti—they were more relaxed after traveling and comforted by the reminder of home.) In addition to water bowls, doggie treats, beds and toys, Kimpton charges no dog fees. At a few, including this one, you’ll find Directors of Pet Relations, four-legged concierges who sit with human counterparts to welcome pets. From $1,754 per night, monaco-alexandria.com
8. Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Ojai, CA
This southern CA resort has world-class dining, golf, spa and water sports just steps away. For creative guests, they have a professional artist in residence who leads classes in silk scarf painting and water colors. Canine guests are entertained with an equine center equipped with a doggie obstacle course. If pets work up an appetite from exercising, the room service menu includes supersized dog biscuits and baked salmon. Lucky dogs!
From $400 per night, ojairesort.com
