Petiquette: How to behave with your pet when traveling so you offend the least amount of people you and your pet come into contact with. Sure, it may sound amusing, but being on the road with your pet becomes a very serious subject, especially when checking in to hotels. Most hotels have strict policies regarding animal check-ins such as weight restrictions and of course, temperament.
To get a bit more specific we asked Four Seasons Hotel New York, one of NY’s top luxury hotels, what their rules and regulations were regarding pet guests. First there is the check-in. The Four Seasons requires your fully trained dog to weigh under fifteen pounds (7 kgs.) for him or her to enjoy the benefits of their establishment. Weight restrictions are sort of like the 3 velvet rope 2 for dogs in most hotels; either they make it or they need to find another place to enjoy their bottled water. There are several points the hotel made that should be taken as a guide when visiting luxury properties with your lapdog.
There are often treats available at the hotel for vacationing dogs biscuits and the like. But your dog may have more human tastes, and often guests order off the room service menus for their pets. If you find yourself in such a situation, take it as a general rule, if you would like to order chicken or a burger for your dog, you should expect to pay regular menu prices.
Next, there are activities for your dog. If you have any questions regarding pet-sitting, pet supplies, or walking needs during your visit, the concierge will be happy to assist you and advise you of fees.
Hotels will expect that your pet be on a leash within all hotel public spaces and hotel property during your stay. Unless your dog is a guide dog, she is not permitted in food and beverage outlets, and of course Fluffy will have to wait to get home to resume her health club workouts. It is only proper that you clean up after your pet in the neighborhood and any unfortunate accidents that should occur in the hotel (you want the hotel to remain pet friendly, don1t you?).
The final request of pet friendly hotels such as the Four Seasons, is that you should not leave your pet unattended during your stay. This is a very important point; one that many people take for granted with disastrous results. Remember your dog is in an unfamiliar and strange place. The noises dogs hear in a hotel room are very different from the noises they are used to hearing in their usual habitat. While you may feel safe leaving your dog in the hotel room, the dog on the other hand may experience a great deal of anxiety. The Four Seasons says that on occasion dogs that have been left alone too long have chewed up furniture, couches, bedspreads, pillows and carpets. The hotel reserves the right to charge your account for the costs of the damages. This can make your stay very expensive, well even more expensive that is. Overall, the Four Seasons reports infrequent pet horror stories with only a $700 charge here or there for a carpet that has been scratched threadbare, or the $1000 couch stuffing a dog decided to redecorate the room with.
Oh, one other thing. If you want your room cleaned, they ask that you please contact housekeeping to arrange for a convenient time for them to service your room. Housekeeping told us of a dog who refused to get off the bed so the sheets could be changed. Each time someone approached the bed, the dog growled. The housekeeping manager was called and they were able to wrap the dog in the blanket and place him on the floor where he later received a comfy cushion that was well to his liking. While this dog ended up to be friendly, the staff do not wish to take a chance and will make no attempt to enter your room unless you or a sitter are present to attend the pet.
Take the Four Seasons as a typical example of a luxury dog vacation now you know what to expect and how your little one is expected to behave. So remember, while this may be a vacation for you, this can be an unnerving experience for your pet, but with the right preparation and planning you both could have a fabulous time.
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