Pet lovers know that all pet-friendly hotels are not created equal; some are truly welcoming and others are more pseudo-welcoming. A true pet-friendly hotel welcomes one or more kinds of pets onto their property with “open paws.” Pet programs, rather than simply pet policies, show the hotel is welcoming and not just accommodating. Pet amenities may include designated potty areas, leash-free play areas, pet-sitters, washing stations, towels, pet-beds, and welcome gifts. True pet-friendly hotels don’t charge hefty pet fees in addition to regular room charges, place restrictions on the size and breed of dog, or segregate pet owners to lesser quality accommodations.
San Diego Pet-Friendly Hotels
Few luxury hotels welcome pets better than the US Grant Hotel in Downtown San Diego. They acknowledge that your pet is part of your family and treat it as such. The hotel provides pet amenities such as a bowl, bed, mat, and welcome kit. The only restriction is a 40 pound limit, and there are no pet related fees.
Kimpton boutique hotels always welcome furry guests with a warm embrace, and there are two of them in Downtown San Diego. Hotel Palomar is located in the Core-Columbia district and Hotel Solamar is in East Village. They welcome any number of pets per room without regard to size, weight, kind, or breed.
The Loews Loves Pets program at Loews Coronado Bay Resort on Coronado Island has all other resorts beat when it comes to pet friendliness. Their pet program is so pampering, pet owners may be jealous! Doggie guests are a Frisbee throw away from Coronado’s Dog Beach. Several other San Diego resort hotels also accommodate pets with varying degrees of hospitality.
Some independent hotels go all out for guests’ furry traveling partners. At The Ocean Villa Inn, guests can expect superior pet amenities like special accommodations with tile floors, a fully stocked dog washing station complete with shampoo and fluffy towels, and a sliding door that opens from the guestroom onto a dog run and fenced-in grassy area. The hotel is adjacent to Ocean Beach’s famous Dog Beach.
Best San Diego Neighborhoods for Pet-Friendly Hotels
Downtown might seem like an unlikely place for pet-friendly hotels, yet they abound here. Whether visitors are looking for luxury, boutique, or resort-style hotels, there are pet-friendly options. Nearby Coronado Island features pet-loving Loews Coronado Bay Resort with its annual dog surfing competition, and more recently, Hotel Del Coronado’s new posh pet policy and nightly “Yappy Hour” on the deck at sunset.
Ocean Beach is a dog-friendly community, so finding a pet-friendly hotel there is a breeze. Many of Mission Valley’s best value hotels allow pets too. At Sommerset Suites, expect to pay a per stay fee. At the Handlery Hotel & Resort guests can expect a per night fee, plus a hefty deposit. Surfer Beach Hotel in Pacific Beach allows pets for a per stay fee. Mission Beach resort hotels allow dogs for per stay fees. Visitors should be able to find a pet-friendly hotel to their liking in nearly any San Diego neighborhood.
Note: Always read pet policies from the hotel website. Contact the hotel directly to inquire about the location of pet-friendly rooms, the cleaning policies and all related charges, and the nature of any pet in-room restrictions before booking your stay.