The Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, a lovely hotel on Central Florida’s Treasure Coast, is offering a romantic Valentine getaway for threesomes. That’s a Valentine’s Day weekend special called Pooch n’ Smooch for couples traveling with a pet (or pets). Package incudes:-

Vero Beach Hotel & Oliver

•Pampered Pooch Picnic at the Dog Park with a basket that includes a picnic blanket, two wine spritzers, organic treats for mom and dad, dog treats, ball, water and a collapsible dog bowl, and a clean-up bag.
•Turn down amenity of Champagne and homemade doggie treats from local pet boutique, Hearth & Hound.
•$5 donation to Indian River County Humane Society.

If you want to make your pet feel extra-special, package upgrades include a couple’s photo shoot with your pet on the beach, and/or two Kimpton bathrobes and a dog bed.

The Vero Beach Hotel & Spa is a Kimpton Hotel, which makes it a pet-friendly hotel (see Kimpton’s pet policy). Oliver, the hotel’s pet director, will be at hand to ensure that you and your pet(s) enjoy a comfortable stay.

Use promo code POOCH if you’re booking online, or call 1-866-602-VERO and request the Pooch n’ Smooch package.

Photos courtesy Vero Beach Hotel & Spa/Kimptom Hotels

Info: 3500 Ocean Drive Vero Beach, FL  32963; (772) 231-5666; www.verobeachhotelandspa.com/

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The Charles Hotel at Night

Are you visiting the Eastern Massachusetts area this Thanksgiving holiday, and looking for a great place to stay?  The Charles Hotel, an independent hotel located right in the heart of Harvard Square, Cambridge, is offering a fabulous Thanksgiving hotel package, called the Trimming and Thanks package.

The Trimming and Thanks package, which is available for stays from November 20th – November 29th, includes overnight accommodations, a personal signed copy of Chef Peter’s cookbook – Fresh and Honest, choice of pie (apple, pumpkin, and pecan) from Henrietta’s Table, and breakfast for two at Henrietta’s Table.

The package price starts at $279 per night for double occupancy (not including taxes or fees) and the free breakfast cannot be used at weekend brunch at Henrietta’s Table.

The Charles Hotel has some wonderful amenities, including:

• High-speed internet access in all rooms (wireless in public areas)
• Complimentary newspapers on weekdays
• Free local and domestic long distance calls
• 24-hour concierge
• 24-hour room service
• Valet, indoor/outdoor parking, and car salon
• Library in lobby with autographed bestsellers
• Complimentary cribs with bumpers, fitted sheets, and blankets

In addition, the Charles Hotel also has an on-site skating rink, an adjacent spa and fitness center, several on-site and highly rated restaurants, and a jazz club.  The hotel is both kid friendly and pet friendly.

The Charles Hotel
Harvard Square
One Bennett Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Toll Free: 800.882.1818

Photo Credit: The Charles Hotel

Hotel Monteleone

The elegant Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans’ French Quarter has been run by the Monteleone family since 1886, and is well known for its excellent customer service. It’s extremely convenient—just walking distance from some of New Orleans’ most famous landmarks and attractions.

The Monteleone’s 600 spacious guest rooms and 55 suites include traditional décor, high ceilings, marble and granite bathrooms, comfy robes, coffee makers, high-speed Internet access, large-screen cable TVs and more. Rates start at $209 per night.

One of just three hotels in the Unites States that has been designated a literary landmark, the hotel is featured in the works of Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway and Eudora Welty. Looking for a little more excitement? As with many New Orleans hotels in the French Quarter, the Monteleone claims a handful of “permanent residents” in the form of ghosts.

The hotel is one of the few luxury hotels in the state that offer services for your canine best friend, including a mat with water bowls, a bag of treats and a map of pet-friendly spots in the Crescent City.

Read More »

Orlando Pet Friendly Hotels for Pet Friendly Family Vacations

The family pet, for many people, is just another beloved member of the family.  So naturally, the family vacation needs to include a pet friendly hotel.  Orlando, Florida offers a variety of pet friendly hotels to choose from if you plan to bring your pet along on your Orlando vacation.

Pet Friendly Hotels In Orlando

Quality Inn Plaza Orlando on International Drive – the Quality Inn accepts pets under 50 lbs for a $10 fee per night, per pet.

Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel – Dogs of all sizes are welcome for a one time pet fee of $25 per room. Guests must have a health certificate for each pet obtained within 10 days prior to arrival.

Universal’s Portofino Bay Hotel – With direct access to Universal Studios, this is a Loews Hotel. The Loews chain has a “Loews Loves Pet” program and a Holiday program specifically for pets.

Red Roof Inn Orlando Convention Center – This pet friendly hotel is adjacent to the Orlando Convention Center. One well behaved pet is allowed per room.

Crestwood Suites Disney Orlando – This Orlando hotel accepts pets under 20 pounds for a fee of $15 per night or $50 per week.

Sheraton Safari Hotel Orlando – If you have a larger dog, this may be the best pet friendly hotel in Orlando for you. Dogs up to 80 pounds are allowed.

Best Western Orlando East Inn & Suites – A pet friendly hotel in Downtown Orlando, small pets are allowed here for $20 per day.

Country Inn And Suites By Carlson Orlando Airport – A pet friendly hotel near the Orlando airport, this hotel allows dogs up to $75 for a one time fee of $150.

Comfort Suites Universal South – This pet friendly hotel offers a free shuttle to Universal Studios and Sea World. This is a great choice if you more than one pet as they allow 2 pets per room for $49 per stay.

Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography

The exterior of XV Beacon

Boston hasn’t always been known for its luxury boutique hotels, with a few exceptions – one of them being the XV Beacon Hotel on historic Beacon Hill.  XV Beacon, one of Travel + Leisure’s top small city hotels is offering a fabulous vacation special to celebrate it’s 10th anniversary.

The  10th Anniversary package includes overnight accommodations, an automatic upgrade, and a special anniversary remembrance gift.  In addition, 10th Anniversary guests are able to choose an add-on to their package, including:

·         Full American Breakfast
·         Ramos Pinto, a 10-year Tawny
·         A bottle of Champagne
·         A Boston Beer Tasting
·         In-room movie and munchies
·         A bottle of red wine; a bottle of white wine
·         Bottled water and seasonal whole fruit
·         Parking
·         or a return ride to Logan Airport in XV Beacon Read More »

Cape Pines Motel, Hatteras Island, Outer Banks of North Carolina

“Our rooms are so clean, you would think your MOTHER works here!” claims the Cape Pines Motel. That sounded good to me; cleanliness is always at the top of my list when choosing accommodations. But though the Cape Pines more than lives up to its reputation for being immaculate, I soon discovered that this charming old brick motel had so much more to offer, not the least of which was its gracious owners, Bill and Angie Rapant.

The Rapants purchased the Cape Pines in July of 2006 after years of dreaming of owning their own motel. Both had worked in the hotel industry – Bill most recently as the controller at the Plaza Athenee on Manhattan Island in New York City, which is rated one of America’s finest hotels. With their backgrounds, Bill and Angie know what service and hospitality is all about, and they set out to provide guests with the most enjoyable vacation experience of their lives.

In order to achieve this goal, they gradually remodeled each of the motel’s 29 rooms, upgrading where appropriate, but restoring the original wood floors and classic tongue-in-groove knotty pine walls and ceilings wherever possible. With the addition of custom linens and modern amenities such as mini refrigerators, Read More »

Olivier House

I’ve got to get to New Orleans sometime soon, I’ve always wanted to go! With a large dog, though, it’s difficult to find places that will accept her. Now, the Olivier House in New Orleans’ French Quarter only accepts small pets, but the place looked so nice that I decided to write about it and let everyone know what a cute place it is.

The Olivier House is on Tolouse Street in the center of the French Quarter, awesome location. And it’s actually not one but three townhouses that date from the early 1800s, which I find really exciting! The fascinating history and architectural elements of this hotel make it worth visiting on their own. Check out the hotel lobby’s checkered floor – love it!

In addition to having a few rooms which allow dogs, the Olivier House has free parking (hurray) and a swimming pool. And the rates are quite good, especially for the French Quarter! Single-bed rooms start at $135, two-bed rooms start at $145 and the grand two-bedroom suites are $375-$450 (there are other rooms available as well, of course.)There’s also an amazing Creole Cottage, a Garden Suite and The Honeymoon Suite.

The Olivier House’s website has a great section on the hotel’s history, be sure to read it before you go.

Photo Credits: Paul Schultz

Those of us who live in the Bay Area love our pets. A lot. We have many hotels from all price ranges that allow you to bring your pet – or “child” for some – with you during your stay.

However, what about when you need to leave town and head to Boston or the Seattle-Tacoma area? What do you do with your dog or cat then, especially if you cannot bring them along? If you don’t have a pet sitter or trusted kid on the block, you are now in luck.

Wag Hotels has been receiving lots of high marks in San Francisco, Sacramento and Solano County since they opened. They offer doggie day care, obedience training, and grooming in addition to their luxury pet boarding. I stopped by their San Francisco location and they are worlds beyond a kennel [I dislike even writing that word].

Wag Hotel Reception - photo credit: Wag Hotels

This group of hotels is set up to provide your pet – their guest – with the best possible experience that they could have, given that you are not there.

Here are some highlights:

• All rooms are indoors.
• Choose from a variety of pet sitting rooms based on your pet’s size and the level of luxury.
• Playgroups are all indoors in a climate-controlled environment, with dogs grouped together according to size and temperament.
• All guests go to the bathroom at playgroups twice daily.
• Staff members are certified by the Pet Care Services Association [formerly known as the ABKA (American Boarding Kennel Association)]
• They serve at no additional charge, dry Iams or Nutro brand food, unless you prefer your own.

Wag Hotels welcome all breeds – yay for German Shepherds and Huskys! They also offer lots of A La Carte Services – prices start at $25 a night for a 2 Story Condo, and Private Bathroom for your kitty and $38 for a comfortable bed, meals up to 3 times per day (incl. medicine), Playgroups and Classical Music for your smaller size pooch.

Typical Wag Hotel Guest

Courtesy of Kimpton

The Muse Hotel in Manhattan is pretty, you guys. And they’re doing special things for Valentine’s Day.

Starting at $199 per night, The Muse is offering little things that will make you love them. These little things include:

• Late check-out times
• Hot chocolate and marshmallows at bedtime
• Romantic NY movies on your TV like Breakfast at Tiffany’s
• A guide to romantic places to make out. I’m serious! Okay, well they said “steal a kiss,” but still.
• A map of secret spots in Central Park … wait a minute, that’s just dirty, Kimpton, what kind of a show are you running?
  

  Courtesy of Kimpton

Kidding, kidding. But check this out. Meet Ginger (right).

Ginger is “Director of Pet Relations” and works side by side at The Muse with owner/concierge Lauren Myerson. that’s right. They’re pet friendly. They even have a “Pampered Pooch Package” wherein they spoil your dog for you.

I read about the package. Please, someone. Take me to The Muse and tell them I’m your dog. Kthx.

dog friendly hotel

Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a great city for outdoors enthusiasts, and if you’re looking for a pet-friendly city, Gatlinburg is it! Nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg offers a wide range of camping, hiking and boating activities, and at the end of a fun-filled day, you and your pet can hunker down for the night in one of the city’s pet friendly hotels.  As a dog owner, I love the fact that this city offers so many hotels which allow my pooch to travel with me.

The Knights Inn Gatlinburg has a very liberal pet policy – up to two dogs of any size are

Smoky Mountains

permitted for only $10/night. Rates start at about $55/night and you can ask for the jacuzzi suites. Free breakfast and a business center make this hotel a good place for those who want to take their dog with them on business trips, and there’s even an outdoor swimming pool which is open in the summer months.

If you and your furry friend are looking for slightly more posh accommodations, check out the Park Vista Hotel and Convention Center. Take as many of your dogs with you as you like – so long as they’re under 25 pounds, it’s $20/night per pet. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of downtown Gatlinburg as well as 360 degree views of the Smokey Mountains. The hotel provides a designated pet walking area, or you can make the short drive to one of dozens of local hiking trails. While your pet is relaxing in the room, take the family down to the great pool area – there’s an indoor swimming pool, a jacuzzi and even a kids wading pool. Not bad for a hotel with rates that start at $85/night!

The pet-friendly Holiday Inn Sunspree only charges you $15 per stay, not per night, for your dog, and you can bring dogs of all sizes, which is a rarity.  Relax in your room with your pet and surf the Internet for free. Your pooch will even get a little baggie of pet treats! Most of the rooms are oversized, too, so you and your pet will have plenty of room to spread out. Rates start at around $55/night depending on the season.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Photo credits: Jared422_80, Snotgoblin and jrubinic.