Bring your best friend on vacation at these top Florida dog-friendly hotels
National Dog Day is Aug. 26, but let’s be honest, every day is special when it comes to loving and pampering our beloved furry friends.
If you can’t stand the thought of leaving your best friend behind when vacationing, there are top resorts and hotels in Florida that roll out the red carpet for both people and pets. Think plush beds for napping and doggie loungers for sunbathing, homemade treats and room service — and even dog parks for running leash-free at the resort. Grab your jet-setting pet, and check in to one of the best dog-friendly hotels in Florida.
The Betsy South Beach, Miami
People Perks: Situated on the quieter, car-free stretch of Miami’s famed Ocean Drive, The Betsy South Beach is a beautiful family-owned hotel that’s located steps from the beach. Float in the rooftop pool, listen to live music almost every night, peep at the family’s extensive art collection and dine at LT Steak & Seafood by renowned Chef Laurent Tourondel.
Pet Perks: You know a hotel is serious about dogs when they have their own CEOs (Canine Executive Officers). The family’s beloved golden retrievers Betsy and Rosa, and German Shepherd rescue Daisy, often roam the property to greet guests. At check-in, visiting pups are given homemade treats (humans get a glass of bubbly), and bowls filled with cold water are sprinkled around the property. Bring your best pal to the lobby on Fridays at 5 p.m. when the hotel’s canine ambassadors are there to mingle during cocktail hour. (We suggest sipping the lager-amber beer, “Betsy Rosa.”) Nearby dog-friendly spots include oceanfront Lummus Park, and there are waste bag dispensers in front of the hotel and along Ocean Drive, which offers epic people watching. The hotel concierge can arrange a pet sitter, groomer, dog walking and more.
Pet Policy: Dogs of all sizes are welcome for a one-time $150 pet fee.
Loews Hotels (throughout Florida)
People Perks: With a mantra of “Loews Loves Pets,” you’ll find major puppy love at Loews properties throughout Florida, including Loews Miami Beach, which grandly fronts South Beach and touts a huge pool loved by families; and the new Loews Coral Gables, a destination dripping in culinary hits and leisurely activities.
Pet Perks: Furry friends are treated like VIPs (Very Important Pets), and upon arrival, guests receive a welcome bag with food/water bowls, a branded mat for the bowls, waste bags, and locally made dog treats. The luxury of room service isn’t just for humans: the in-room dining menu caters to both cats and dogs, including a beef tenderloin with rice and eggs; shredded chicken breast with carrots; and a salmon filet.
Pet Policy: No more than two pets per room. Loews Coral Gables charges a one-time pet fee of $75; Loews Miami Beach is $50.
AC Hotel, Clearwater Beach
People Perks: You can’t beat the crystalline blue waters and soft scallop sands of Clearwater Beach. The new AC Hotel Clearwater Beach is within easy walking distance to the beach and popular Pier 60, and boasts a rooftop pool that’s ideal for sunbathing and catching those stunning west coast sunsets.
Pet Perks: This dog-friendly hotel caters to everything pet parents need: An on-site dog park where your best friend can burn off energy, hydration stations on each floor, and a room service breakfast menu for dogs. Check in to check out the specialty Paws in Paradise package, which comes with a puppy bubble bath, soft puppy robe, a compact dog bed, nightly turn-down service and more. They’ll also guide you to the dog-friendly cafes and restaurants in the area.
Pet Policy: All pets are welcome with a $200 refundable deposit, plus a $50 non-refundable fee per pet, per day.
The Alfond Inn, Orlando/Winter Park
People Perks: Located north of downtown Orlando, Winter Park is a hidden gem that offers a ritzy residential feel yet with so much to do outside of the typical theme parks.
Pet parents love vacationing at The Alfond Inn, a stylish boutique hotel known for its breathtaking art collection and walkability to bustling Park Avenue that’s dotted with pet-friendly restaurants like Michelin-recommended Prato.
Pet Perks: At the hotel, spring for the V.I.P. (Very Important Pup) Package, which includes a two-night stay in a classic room with a specialty dog bowl, treats and toys. Feel good about staying there as the hotel donates to the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando.
Pet Policy: Two dogs of any size are allowed for a $50 fee per night.
Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa, Jupiter
People Perks: If your idea of a perfect pet-cation means frolicking on a beach with your canine companion, Jupiter is dog heaven. Jupiter recently snagged its place as the best dog-friendly beach in the USA, thanks to its beaches where pups can run leash-free. The newly renovated Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa is beloved for its quiet spot on a gorgeous stretch of beach, its pampering spa and coastal-chic rooms meant for resting and recharging.
Pet Perks: As an Opal Collection property, the resort honors the Opal Paws program, which means pet guests receive a plush bed, water/food bowls and a gift bag with dental chews and waste bags.
Pet Policy: The coastal-chic resort welcomes dogs under 30 pounds. A non-refundable fee of $100 per night, per dog; maximum of two dogs per room.
W Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale Beach
People Perks: Fort Lauderdale is a booming vacation destination, and the luxe W Fort Lauderdale perched along Fort Lauderdale Beach welcomes people and pets in style. The property draws a cool crowd looking to play at the pool that overlooks the ocean, socialize at the Living Room when the sun goes down and relish the residential-style rooms.
Pet Perks: As part of their P.A.W. (Pets Are Welcome) program, all pets are pampered with an in-room doggie bed, food and water bowls, a W Bark Box, and a Stephen Starr-curated pet menu. If money is no object when it comes to spoiling your pet, splurge on the “Bark & Bougie” package that comes with a dog lounger for sunbathing, a doggie dress-up closet filled with clothes for a fashionable stay, a “barkcuterie” board, a gold dog bowl and more. They don’t leave out the humans — the package comes with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot bubbly.
Pet Policy: Dogs under 45 pounds are welcome for a non-refundable pet fee of $100 and a daily $25 resort fee.
Island Grand at TradeWinds, St. Pete Beach
People Perks: If you’re looking for a resort that feels like a vacation playground, Island Grand at TradeWinds on St. Pete Beach is loaded with fun and entertainment for everyone. Catering to families, there’s a bevy of pools, a floating water park and even a gigantic water slide on the beach.
Pet Perks: Dogs can romp around leash-free at the secure Pet Play Zone, fitted with doggie drinking fountains, umbrellas for shade, a rinse and drying station with towels and more. There’s also a special dog-walking path that weaves along the waterways and beachfront dunes. If you left something at home, stop by the complimentary Doggie Accessory Center that’s stocked with dishes, leashes, toys and towels. Award-winning Fort DeSoto Park, a pet-friendly beach, is a short drive away.
Pet Policy: Two dogs up to 80 pounds each are allowed per room for a nightly fee of $75.
This story was originally published August 15, 2024 at 5:01 PM.
