Pet-Friendly Hotels: A Guide to Understanding Pet Fees
If you’re a pet owner and love traveling, finding a hotel that allows pets can be challenging. However, with more hotels becoming pet-friendly, it’s now easier than ever to find accommodations that welcome your furry friends. But before you start packing up your pet’s belongings, there are some things you should know about the fees associated with staying in a pet-friendly hotel.
What Are Pet Fees?
Pet fees are charges that hotels impose on guests who bring their pets along for the stay. These fees cover cleaning costs and other expenses related to accommodating pets on the property. The amount of these fees varies from one hotel to another, but they usually range from $20-$100 per night.
Types of Pet Fees
Hotels charge different types of pet fees depending on their policies and facilities available. Here are some common ones:
1. Non-Refundable Deposit: This fee is charged at check-in and is non-refundable regardless of whether any damage was caused by your pet or not.
2. Refundable Deposit: This fee is also charged at check-in but is refundable if no damage was caused by your pet during your stay.
3. Cleaning Fee: Some hotels charge an additional cleaning fee when you bring your pets into the room.
4. Pet Rent: In some cases, hotels may charge daily “pet rent” instead of a one-time deposit or cleaning fee.
Factors That Influence Pet Fees
Several factors influence the amount and type of fees that hotels charge for accommodating pets:
1. Location – Where the hotel is located greatly affects how much they will charge as well as what type of services will be provided.
2. Size of Your Pet – Larger animals tend to cause more messes than smaller ones which can lead to higher cleaning costs being included in their fee structure.
3. Length Of Stay – Longer stays may require additional cleanup efforts, which could result in higher fees.
4. Type of Pet – Some pets are more likely to cause damage than others, and hotels may charge different rates depending on the animal’s breed or species.
Tips for Saving Money on Pet Fees
Pet-friendly hotels can be expensive, but there are ways to save money when traveling with your furry friend. Here are some tips:
1. Research Hotels: Do your research before booking a hotel to find out which ones offer pet discounts or specials.
2. Bring Your Own Supplies: Bringing your own supplies like bowls, bedding, and toys will help you avoid additional charges from the hotel.
3. Keep It Clean: Make sure you clean up after your pet throughout your stay so that you’re not charged any cleaning fees at checkout.
4. Negotiate Fees: Don’t be afraid to negotiate with the hotel about their pet fees if they seem high.
Conclusion
Traveling with pets can be an exciting experience but also a costly one due to various pet fees charged by hotels. However, understanding these fees’ types and factors that influence them can help you plan better for future trips and reduce costs as much as possible. Additionally, don’t forget researching potential accommodations beforehand will give you a better idea of what each establishment offers its guests regarding amenities and services available for those traveling with pets before making reservations!