Travelling with pets

[bonniejoy03]

Hi everyone. We travel alot but miss taking our Scottie. Any experiences with pets out there? Our previous Scottie, went with us to the Loews in Annapolis. Loews is very "pet friendly". Our pup seemed to enjoy herself yet we were nervous. She seemed very quiet the whole time as if this was a new experience and she really wanted to put on a good show for the guests. (she is typically a wild one!) We have also looked at some places in the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland. We found two B & Bs that take pets. Has anyone flown with their pets? Any suggestions for hotel experiences with pets and also flight info with pets would be great.

[disneygal]

Hi bonniejoy03,



Your postbrought back memories of travelling with my beloved Irish Setter. I had adopted her as a pup while living overseas. A few years later, when I decided to move back to the U.S. we did a 13-hour flight. I had a sleeping pill from the vet to help her relax, although everyone said it would have been better if I took the pill instead. I was a nervous wreck putting her into the crate, but she was fine at the other end, altough anxious to get out of there. That was the only flight we did, but we visited a number of hotels, such as Radissons, Sheratons and B&B's that were pet-friendly. Also rented condos at Sugarloaf in Maine that allowed pets. She was always on her best behavior and we never had any problems.



I know what you mean - it was hard to go away and leave her behind.For a number of years when she was older, I didn't do much travelling for this reason. I think these days there are lots of pet-friendly options. So if your doggie enjoys the travelling, have fun!

[claassenam]

I travel with two dogs fairly often - driving trips only, so only within the US, but I've found that more and more hotels are dog friendly and really quite welcoming of our furry friends! I love it, it makes the hotel room feel all the more like home to have a big black lab and little spaniel curled up in bed with us. It also adds some peace of mind to any weekend excursion. I've found the Kimpton Hotel Group (Hotel Monaco, Nine Zero, etc.) to be extremely accomodating and they have excellent pet amenities and services: http://www.kimptonhotels.com/

Some others where we've stayed with the dogs that were also quite pleasant: San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, CA and Rancho Valencia in San Diego, CA. Both of these resorts are excellent as they are, but again their pet friendliness and available services (pet massages, pet room service) really put them above and beyond!

[bonniejoy03]

Thank you so much for your input. Glad to know it isn't just us! Disneygal...I had to laugh. You sound like me! Pills for me rather than puppy would probably do the trick. Thank you for hotel suggestions. Friends of ours stay in a place in Key West that is super dog friendly. They even have a pool for dogs! I have heard that some of the restaurants/bars in Key West allow pups. We are really considering a drive down there. We have seen some US properties on LL on the East Coast and will probably call them to check if pups are allowed.

Claassenam: I enjoyed your post. I pictured your pups enjoyed travelling as much as you. I will check out the kimpton hotels. I am not familiar with them. Arethey in the US? The Loews hotel chain is pet friendly and has really cute puppy amenities.

[kfm525]

How fun!! I love traveling with pets. I think the Outer Banks in NC is a very dog friendly location. Almost all the beaches, except Kitty Hawk I think, are dog friendly. There are also a lot of specialty pet stores and every other "human" store we went to let us bring our Chihuahua in. The seemed to really love seeing dogs. Have fun with your dogs and I can't wait to see more suggestions!

[jashermd]

Hello,

I'd love to travel with my cat, but she finds travelling stressful so I think it's kinder to leave her at home. I did a search on Amazon found a few books on pet-friendly establishments (mostly in the US):

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/103-3900021-3053465?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=travel+with+pets&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go

Cheers,
Julian

[disneygal]

Bonniejoy03, Key West sounds like a great destination for a trip with a doggie pal. I would someday like to see the pet parade! http://www.fantasyfest.net/petparade.htm



Also, your dog may not appreciate it, but if you do go to Key West you must see the guy with trained cats. It's very entertaining. His show is part of the nightly sunset celebration.

http://www.catmankeywest.com/

[bonniejoy03]

Disneygal. You are awesome. Unfortunately, our Scottie would think the cats were part of HER entertainment. I think it would ruin the beautiful sunset watchings and might have has expelled from the area. I have been checking pet friendly hotels and more and more are cropping up. Might be something for LL to consider as a "promo" type of deal? As we have previously read, Kimpton hotels and Loews advertise as pet friendly. I don't remember seeing either company as an LL offering but might have missed it. Well, puppy has her suitcase packed and is ready to go...now, are we?!!!

[clancyfox2]

Last March we took our Westie (he was 1yr 7 mos) to a Villa we rented in Providencials and then over to Parrot Cay (a half hour boat trip). We drove to Miami (we live on the West Coast of Fl) so that we would not have to change planes since this was our first time taking "Rowdy" on a plane. Normally the Villa would not take pets but I emailed a picture and explained how "clean" and well-behaved he was. They apparently liked the picture and said we could take him. Parrot Cay is a wonderful (and only) resort on the same name island. The accomodations are fantastic, food to die for, beaches the best in the islands, and staff (mostly Asian) are delightful.We were in a Beach House so I'm not sure if that makes a difference if you take a pet. We actually sat at the open bar with Rowdy on his own stool and a guest actually came over to take a picture of him. Everyone was very friendly. Check out their web site Parrot Cay - Como Hotels and Resorts - Rates 2007. He was in an airline approved dog carrier by my feet under the seat in front of me. Our vet does not approve of medicating dogs, says that it is dangerous. He was fine. I opened the top so I could pet him and he could stick his head out. It was a lot of fun.

[bonniejoy03]

Clancyfox. Thank you very much. Typically Westies and Scotties behave the same with both being terriers. The villa idea is great. We rent in Virgin Gorda and haven't approached the subject yet with the owner. I have heard of Parrot Cay. We actually snorkelled with a couple staying there while we stayed on Provo. Did you contact Parrot Cay about your pet and they approved before you went? I have heard wonderful reviews about the property. I believe there are direct flights from some East Coast cities to Provo. Parrot Cay might be a great idea to check on. How much does Rowdy weigh? Do you know if there is a weigh issue for the airlines? (Our pup, weighs 18 pounds and is 7 going on 1!) Our vet also does not approve of medicating the pet before flight. I think our next step is to try her at a local property such as the Loew's hotels or some of the Chesapeake Bay bed and breakfasts. If WE can manage, (I know she will be fine!) I would REALLY want to test the waters in the Caribbean with her. THank you so much for the information. If it doesn't work with her, I know my husband and I would enjoy Parrot Cay. Maybe that is a property LL should offer? I don't remember if I have ever seen it? I did see Meridian Caye Resort offered and it is in the same island chain.