Even your dog can get a good night's sleep on this bed

I have a large dog, and I know it’s not always possible to find hotels that can accommodate an 80-pound pooch. The frustrating thing about locating a pet-friendly hotel is that not every hotel in a certain chain will accept pets; just because you’ve stayed at one Holiday Inn with your pet doesn’t mean that all Holiday Inns accept pets.

Happily, I came across PetsWelcome.com, and it appears to be a thorough database of pet-friendly hotels. For example, take a look at all of the pet-friendly hotels listings they have for Atlanta, Georgia! 61 listings and counting. Better yet, they list helpful things such as information regarding whether or not the hotel provides pet beds, walking areas and exercise areas. Pretty cool.

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Dorothy Parker and the Round Table are not the only legends at the Algonquin Hotel in New York. One of the other traditions they have is that there’s always been a cat-in-residence for almost 80 years now.

The Algonquin Hotel in New York and Matilda, Cat in Residence

With the retirement of Matilda II after a 13 year reign, the hotel has now chosen a new “Algonqueen” for the throne – Matilda III, a blue-eyed ragdoll.

The hotel’s new 4-year old mascot divides her time between rubbing up against the plush chairs in the lobby and taking naps on the bellman’s luggage cart. Matilda III has also taken a liking to the hotel’s 13th floor.

The new cat is the hotel’s tenth cat-in-residence in 79 years, starting with a stray named Rusty who sneaked into the hotel in 1932. Rusty started sharing a room with then owner Frank Case, and got so snooty he would only drink milk from a champagne glass.

Rusty was renamed Hamlet by actor John Barrymore. Rusty/Hamlet was followed by a string of Hamlets (II to VII) until 1987. In fact, Hamlet VI vanished during the hotel’s renovation and legend has it that he was accidentally trapped inside the walls.

Matilda I took over the throne in 1987 and the retired Matilda II is now living in a cushy pad in Brooklyn. Matilda III has taken over extensive duties at the hotel, including greeting felines who come to stay at the pet-friendly hotel under the “Algonquin ♥’s Pets” Program.

Guests with paws are greeted with a “purrrsonalized” welcome kit with a welcome letter from Matilda and a list of available services as well as some of Matilda’s favorite hot spots. The pet’s guest room is arranged prior to arrival with amenities such as food and water bowls, a floor mat, a litter box if needed and essentials for owners such as latex gloves and waste bags.

Matilda also has an active online social life managing the hotel’s facebook and twitter (@Algonqueen) pages, and she stays in contact with her many friends and fans via email. In fact, the hotel has even designed a special package for ‘Friends of Matilda.’

The package includes two night accommodation in a queen room, welcome amenity letter from Matilda and  a replica plush of Matilda, a novel about the Algonquin cat, two cocktails in the lobby, and a 10% discount off the hotel’s best available retail rate. Don’t forget to use the promo code MAJ when booking online.

Photos – Algonquin Hotel

Info: 59 West 44th Street (between fifth and sixth ave) New York NY 10036; (212) 840-6800

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The Vegas Strip is going to the dogs. TheHotel at Mandalay Bay says it has dog-friendly suites on its 22nd floor, specially kitted out with eco-friendly food and water bowls for Fido. They’ll even welcome you with tasty treats and doggy relief bags.

Pet-friendly hotel - THEHotel at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas

For the discerning doggy, there are special options. Fido’s in-room dining menu, for example, includes a Backyard Delight consisting of hamburger, potatoes, zucchini, carrots, apples, parsley and ground turmeric.

For those who feel like stretching their legs, Barking Lot Lane is just steps away near the west entrance of THEhotel. Owners can walk Fido themselves, or call in the Concierge if required. Upto two dogs weighing 100 pounds combined are allowed, and should be on a leash when outside the room.

The 43 story all-suite TheHotel has 1,117 one-bedroom suites with plasma television, high-speed internet and wet bars in-room. They have a billiards lounge, lobby bar, coffee bar and café.

The hotel is part of the Mandalay Bay resort, which has 4,752 rooms and suites and a whole lot more including a 11 acre tropical pool with real sand and poolside gaming.

But for those only interested in pet-friendly hotels, here’s the top 10 Las Vegas hotels where guests are allowed to walk on all fours and bark (just to be clear – this refers to dogs and not drunk casino revelers).

1. TheHotel at Mandalay Bay
2. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
3. Four Seasons
4. Caesars Palace
5. Paris Las Vegas
6. Planet Hollywood
7. Harrah’s
8. Flamingo
9. Bally’s
10. Rio

Expect to pay anywhere between $25-50 per day per dog and an additional fee if pet-sitting or dog-walking services are required.

Photos courtesy Mandalay Bay

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Want to bring your best friend to a casino with you? If your best friend has four legs and a tail, there’s only one casino in Atlantic City that will welcome you both with open arms.*

On Thursday, Februrary 24, 2011, Showboat Atlantic City will become the only casino hotel on the Jersey Shore that welcomes pets with the launch of Pet Stay Atlantic City.

“We’re thrilled to bring Pet Stay Atlantic City to our guests and provide the royal treatment to man’s best friend,” said Joe Domenico, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Showboat and Bally’s Atlantic City. “This initiative puts Showboat at the forefront of Atlantic City’s world-class offerings and will bring more customers to our casinos without having to leave their pets behind.”

What does the royal treatment look like to a dog?

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