I recently asked my subscribers which airlines they and their service dog had flown on using service dog tags and if they had incidents. You can see the article and responses here Flying with Service Dogs. Many also commented about their experiences with hotels.
I thought it would be useful to hear about the experiences service animal owners had had when staying in a hotel with their service dog. If you’ve had a good or bad experience with a hotel and would like to share your experience with others, leave a comment in the box below and let us know if they treated you right.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Ohio Econolodge was not a good experience. They insisted on charging extra for my service dog and were not friendly with me or my dog.
Just a heads-up to those that are in or going to Ohio.
Have a great new year.
We have traveled with our service dog and had no problems in the state parks or hotels. We went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon no problem at Mesa Verde and stayed at the lodge (no dogs allowed) service dogs ok and had no problems with her in national parks or on trails where dogs are not allowed., stayed at The View at Monument Valley and the lodge at Zion with no problems.
I went to a Holiday Inn in South Carolina. Just overnight on out drive to Florida. It was terrible. The people at the front desk screamed at me, tried to charge us extra, then put us in a “pet room” which was poorly cleaned and spider infested. Needless to say we ended up getting our money back and leaving.
I’ve also stayed in several hotels in Walt Disney World. All Star Resorts, Pop Century and Polynesian. All of them we wonderful. The staff there knew how to treat people with service animals, and were aware of the laws that apply to people with service animals. Disney is my favorite place to stay because of how great they are with disability issues.
Hilton is animal-friendly, but charges $75 per stay for cleaning the room, even for service animals.
I have stayed with my service dog several times at the Ramada in Jackson, Mississippi and the Las Vegas Hilton, and neither have given me any problems whatsoever. There was also a little motel in Rankin, Texas, and one in Van Horn, Texas where I had no problems. The stay in Rankin was for several weeks – Van Horn just overnight.
I think a lot has to do with attitude when dealing with those who don’t understand. My mom always taught me to act like I know what I am doing and I (usually) wouldn’t be questioned. Also, follow-up on charges (like “pet clean up” charges) with either a manager or corporate. Ask to speak with the manager or to see in writing the corporate policies regarding service dogs. If possible, research where you are going to stay before you book, and get an e-mail confirmation or such to show the desk clerk who turns out to be uneducated (or purposely stupid).
Keep in mind, though, that even service dogs owners are liable for anything our service animals hurt or destroy, so if your baby chews the pillow or gets travel upset tummy and leaves a stinky, then they can charge you for the damages – just like if you got drunk and trashed the room – trashed is trashed. I always take my girl’s crate with me – I rarely use it, but I always have it just in case.
I think another question should be asked about problems with restaurants while traveling. I think most of us have educated and don’t have problems with our favorite restaurants in our home towns, but what about on the road? And, if driving, stops along the way? I personally have really only had a minor issue in one restaurant (a high scale Japanese restaurant in Jackson, Mississippi – the hostess didn’t understand, but the manager had no problem – evidently we were the first service dog in the establishment – all the girls kept coming over to check us out and my girl just snored away on the floor the entire time). I have never had a problem in a truck stops while driving (including their restaurants, whether fast food or sit down), but have gotten some second looks in smaller stations.
The Spot Dog Card has the law printed on the back side, which is helpful for folks who do not know the laws regarding service animals.
While I have not had any difficulty in traveling with my dog, I have been questioned and made to produce doctor’s medical statements and dog training certifications for Florida vacation condominiums where I own. It is a sad commentary where one is treated better by strangers than in the communities in which we own.
AB
Have traveled with my wife and her service dog on numerous occasions over the past year. Stayed in mostly Hampton Inn’s, but also a few others. On a couple occasions, we have been questioned as we entered, but have always been given the same room as requested, and never charged more. Never had any issues in restaurants along the way. Believe it is how you present yourself and your dog on arrival.
PS. The Hilton Honor’s web site has a check box when making an online reservation for traveling with a service dog.
We travel extensively w/Gretchen, my service dog. She is a medical alert dog, small in size and cute as a button. I have your tags, a letter from my DR. her certificate, and ID from the school.
We are time share owners and much of the time stay in a condo. I always call ahead and explain that I will have my service dog with me so if they would accommodate us w/a condo close to the out of doors it would be appreciated. We have also flown a charter flight to a casino w/her.
Hotels, Motels — I always call ahead and if I book over the net add it to the “special instructions/needs”area.
I have never had to show anything other than your tag, even though I do not leave home w/out other documentation. A few casino’s gave me a bit of a problem, but once explained, they bent over backwards to make me and Gretchen welcome.
Many are curious about her service, and I willing explain what she does for my life. Education is the key and I will always take the time to explain how service animals ability to enhance the lives of those w/disabilities has exploded into more than a “seeing eye dog.”
EDUCATE -EDUCATE-EDUCATE – even if it means a temporary inconvenience to you.
I travel alot and have never had a problem with Princess Scruffy being with me. I stay at the Mirage in las vegas as well as the River Palms in Laughlin, Nv., they love her because she is so cute/friendly & I think that means alot as her demeanor is so good to go. But once in vegas I was told there would be a charge for her to which I replied, er no I dont think so & here is my Attorneys card in case you do, they talked it over & decided I was right, especially when I stated not only would the casino be sued but they would personally be also. I then got a free room up grade for my inconvience they put me thru, smile.
I have only stayed at two motels (in western Montana) with my poodle. One didn’t allow dogs but were totally accepting of her when I told them she was a service dog. They didn’t ask for, but I showed them, her service dog tag. They expressed pleasure that she was a poodle and not a shedding dog.
The other motel charged $35 for dogs in a room, but the young night clerk waived it for me. The owner was a bit cold and perhaps suspicious the next morning until I showed her my Veterans Admin ID showing service connected disability. She asked if she could copy it (why I don’t know) and instantly became extremely firiendly. I don’t know whether it was because I was a veteran or because I offered proof of a disability.
Though not travel related, on my third or fourth visit with my dog in the local WalMart, a new manager asked if the dog was service related because of a disability. She seemed to be asking only because WalMart’s policy and the law allowed it. On all visits, many of the employees were happy to see the dog and all knew to ask before trying to interact with her.
We have had no problem in Santa Cruz, Pacific Grove, Monterey. The hotel we stayed at in Monterey has a no pet policy but when we booked it I explained that I had a service dog and needed a lower level room, when we got to the hotel the desk clerk had a few questions and the only thing I gave her was the ADA law card with the Justice Dept phone number on it. My SD was in her backpack. They treated us very good. Restaurants were all great. I too try to educate (even if I am tired) some people are surprised to see a Standard Poodle as a SD they think all SD are Labs.
Smiles, Robin
I just flew with Air Tran and they were FANTASTIC !!!!! Princess was the third service dog of the day and the flight attendants presented her with a set of “wings” for her vest. As for lodgings, I honestly have never had a problem! We stayed in the Tahsma Hall in Atlantic City and had no problem at all – however I do explain ahead of time that I have a service dog and why I have a service dog.
I just flew with Air Tran and they were FANTASTIC !!!!! Princess was the third service dog of the day and the flight attendants presented her with a set of “wings” for her vest. As for lodgings, I honestly have never had a problem! We stayed in the Tahsma Hall in Atlantic City and had no problem at all – however I do explain ahead of time that I have a service dog and why I have a service dog.
I have to say that staying in hotels with a service animal is a mixed bag and craps shoot. I’ve stayed at hotels that were awesome about it and others, well, let me put it honestly. The ones that gave me the most problems was like the Comfort Inn next to Disneyland and the Econolodge in Riverside, every Extended Stay of America. The common denomatior was that they were all managed, operated or owned by “Ragheads.” I don’t like trying to guess which country America’s enemies come from. I’m a disabled American veteran and have earned my rights to free speech. Even when you try to be polite and upfront,they turn around and try to put me and my family in the worst rooms possible and try to charge me a pet fee that three times more than the room costs. You try to tell them that he is a service animal and not a pet and they call you a liar. One even said,” since he’s not your pet,you can shoot him,no problem,yeah?” I just couldn’t believe my ears.
I have now taken the stance that I do not tell any hotel in advance that I will be traveling with a service animal and in fact, I keep Rocky out of sight until my room is assigned to me. I don’t like it but we don’t to have any control over the matter. These people are cheap and have no regard for our laws here in America and I’m not going to do them any favors either. When you book rooms online,you have no clue to as who owns and operates them. I carry the ADA guidelines in Rocky’s vest and tell them to photocopy them if they like and turn it over to their attorney. Yes, I have a business card for an attorney for extreme cases even though he doesn’t handle these types of case but them don’t know that.
It just seems that even with the laws on your side, you still get treated like some bad guy,a liar or cheat. This happens more often than not. It just seems that the ADA laws needs to be updated and give us rights to sue. I give up?
My husband andI stayed in Marriott Comfort Inn,Virgina no Pets were allowed. When we first came in they did not notice him and checked in no problems. We left and went to get dinner and came back with him and were told no pets allowed. He had on his vest and ID. I just said very politely he is not a pet. The lady said oh I am so sorry I did not notice his vest and ID. Ok you are fine.
The staff was very friendly and nice and loved my shelty and was amazed of how well trained and well manner he was.
I travel two months every summer driving across country. I always stay at a Marriott, of any variety. As soon as they see that my dog has a vest and ID, they welcome us wholeheartedly and never charge us the $60 pet fee. My SD always has exemplary behavior, so we have never received any complaints. A+ for Marriott!!
Hello, who knew there was a special blog for dogs. Well i am going on vocation and have no 1 I trust to watch my puppy.she is from the world renound http://www.minibulldogbreeder.com & rather expensive. I do not really trust her in anyone elses care so i am kind of stuck on what to do
Sara,
You need to check with the hotel you are going to stay at and see if they allow pet dogs. The hotel will charge you a fee and may ask for the dogs shot records, and remember if your dog does damage to the room you will be charged for that too. There are some very good kennels that you can use or your Vet may kennel your pup. This Blog is a Service Dog blog these dogs are not pets they are working partners for the disabled owner. Hope this helps, good luck on your trip. Robin B
We are preparing to go on a very long trip (3-4 months!) along the east coast. I have 2 boys, and our service dog is currently in training. As he is a young dog, I realize that we will have to stay on top of his behavior when we are out and about. I will have a couple of “practice” trips with him this summer as we prepare to go on our long trip this fall, just so we can try to work out some of the bugs, and so I can plan ahead as best I can.
Do you have any suggestions on what I can do as I prepare for this big trip with a younger and less experienced dog? My son with the disabilities is 13, the older is 16, and we will be staying in hotels part of the time, private homes of friends the other part. The end of the trip culminates at Disney in Florida, and I know that THEY know how to work with Service dogs, I just want to plan appropriately for the rest of the trip!
Thanks for your help….
Heidi ( first time service dog traveler/mom to great kids!)
I travel between Texas and Ohio with my service dog once a month. I fly with Continental and American. I have had good experience with both but there was one time where I experienced problems with Continental and the plain was delayed for twenty-five minutes because someone did not put the right information in for the attendant so people were mad. I have stayed at Holiday Inn Express, Super 8, Sheraton, and the state lodge in Ohio with no problems. The state lodge did require documentation because they don’t allow any animals. I usually don’t have any problems since I have the service dog tags. I believe they do help people understand better.
I had my first trip with my SD (Isabella) on April 30, 2010. I called several motels and were told I would have to pay a pet deposit of $10.00 per night or in one case $75.00 for 3 nights. When I called Ramada in Columbia, SC the clerk (American) was extremely nice and was told there would not be any pet deposit. When I checked in I was told by the clerk (Raghead) there would be a deposit of $15.00 per night. I then told him I was told there would not be a pet deposit because Isabella is not a pet but a SD. He wasn’t very happy but didn’t say any more. On my 3rd day the weather got bad and I decided to stay another night. When I asked about the pet deposit, the clerk said appsolutely there would not be a pet deposit. When I told him about the clerk when I checked in he said not to worry about it that if the clerk that took my reservation said no pet deposit then his word was all that matters. I to am an Army veteran and disabled and have earned my rights to free speech. I do have one question: Is there a law that states SD can not be charged a pet deposit? About the only places I travel is from South Carolina up to Penn. Is there is one I would appreciate it if someone would e-mail me and let me know.
Referencing my above comment my e-mail address is lyndainwillow@yahoo.com. Please reference my previous comment or I may delete it as a spam. Thanks
i have traveld with my service dog for years. i always stay at the hilton and hampton inns and have no problem with them they are great. when you make a reservation tell them you have a service dog and they will note that. plus it helps with the tags. i havent taken my dog into resturarants but will be traveling this summer so i will find out… but stay at the hilton and hampton inn. if they try to charge you call the 800 number thats what i did and they didnt.. they are awesome.
Has anyone taken their Service Dog to The California Academy of Science in San Francisco since it has reopened?? They seem to have a lot of rules on their websit when it comes to SD. ANYONE?? Thanks
I find it shocking that anyone would even consider paying a pet deposit for a service dog.
In the United States, at least, hotels aren’t allowed to charge for service animals to stay. If the service animal does damage, then yes, they may charge for repairs.
You need to be clear when you speak to the hotel that you have a service animal. When they say “pet deposit”, you quietly remind them of the ADA and that service animals are not subject to pet deposits, as they are not pets, but working animals.
Sorry, in reading the posts here, I see people talking about pet deposits and being so pleased that the hotel “didn’t charge one”.
Pet deposits should NEVER be an issue with a service animal and you shouldn’t be surprised. They’re not doing you a favor, they’re obeying Federal Law.
And if you read this, @Robina, you can sue them under the provisions of the ADA if your animal has not done damage (and they’d have to prove damage). Don’t let them get away with doing this.
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