Boston gets first luxury hotel for dogs

The Boston hotel industry is going to the dogs. News from the Bay State is that Urban Hound Daycare will open later this month marking the city’s first luxury hotel for dogs.

The 8,500 square foot space will be located in a two-story building in Boston’s South End. Plans for the canine campground include a hospital grade air filtration system, high-tech drainage and flushing system, K-9 grass, an Urban Hound training classroom and luxury sleep suites.

The Urban Hound, founded in 2003, serves local Boston neighborhoods including Beacon Hill, the Back Bay, the South End and South Boston.

Now pet owners have no excuse for not traveling. The only question is whether or not your dog’s digs are better than yours.

Luxury pet hotel to open in Savannah

Pets need a little pampering, too, at least that’s what the owners of Catnip ‘n’ Biscuits believe. The new luxury pet ‘hotel’ is opening this Saturday in Savannah, Georgia, giving pet owners are new reason to leave town.

Catnip ‘n’ Biscuits, a doggie day care and luxury pet hotel, is similar to human hotels in that it has individual rooms for pets, heating and air conditioning, and recreational and eating areas, but the pet hotel offers something human hotels don’t: obedience school. “All pets are tested for temperament, and there’s an attendant on duty at all times,” said Cathi Denham, co-owner of the hotel. “We’re not a kennel with chain link fences and concrete floors. We have recycled rubber floors and theme rooms with toddler beds and TVs.” In addition, Denham says that pets older than 7 months must be spayed or neutered to attend the day care at her luxury camp (insert joke about illicit hotel room affairs here).

According to the website, dogs have their pick of luxury themed-boarding suites complete with a toddler bed and padded bedding and throw rugs, TVs and DVD players. Felines stay in kitty condos, a private area of the facility far away from all the dogs.

To make sure pets are well taken care of and to eliminate any parent-pet anxiety, parents can check in our their furry friends via Web cams, thanks to state-of-the-art equipment the owners installed in the camp area.

Laugh as you might over this new luxury amenity but there’s a simple fact that makes this hotel a cash cow: Data from the American Pet Products Association, a not-for-profit trade association, estimates that $47.7 billion will be spent on pets this year, up from $45.5 billion last year and $43.2 billion in 2008.

[via Savannahnow.com]

Pets stay free – The five best pet-friendly budget hotel chains

If you’re a pet lover and haven’t visited Petside.com, you totally should! They have all kinds of information and news about our furry little friends. Their most recent endeavor? Naming the Top 5 Pet-Friendly Budget Hotel Chains!

“Keeping costs low is a top priority for pet owners as they make summer travel plans this year,” says Joshua Fried, the Director of Petside.com. “We are thrilled this list provides so many affordable options for pets to have their summer vacation, too.”

It turns out that a lot of hotels don’t charge any extra fees or even require a deposit! Keep in mind that budget chains are more often than not franchises, which means rules and regulations can vary. Be sure to call up the particular one at which you’ll be staying to verify their policy.

So, who among the budget chains turned out to be the most pet-friendly? Click through our gallery to find out (phone numbers included!)
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Luxury Pet Hotels


It’s somewhat sad that when we go on vacation our pets stay home. Well, if they’re lucky, they stay home. Otherwise it’s off to the shelter for a couple of days where they’re locked up in cages and fed like prisoners.

There are alternatives, however. But you’ve got to be willing to drop some dough.

Those who want only the very best for their pets and have the cash to ensure it happens can drop their little fluff ball of love off at Wag, a high-end canine hotel in San Francisco. For just $85 a night, Fido can spend the night in a suite, indulge in a $15 in-room belly massage and enjoy room service that includes a pig’s ear to gnaw on.

The coolest thing is the live 24-hour webcam feed so that owners can check in on their pets and witness just how lonely they can get locked up luxurious suites for the night. Hmm. I wonder if there are dog hookers that can be arranged for the guests. Now there’s an untapped market!

I suppose the cats have it better. Catnip is free flowing and in-suite fish tanks provide hours of fun for the stoned felines.