Getting there is half the fun when the whole family—dog included—is along for the trip. This second round of National Dog Day picks spans dog-friendly hotels and even a dog-first airline, giving travel advisors more ways to keep four-legged travelers comfortable from takeoff to arrival.
BARK Air, In-Flight Dog Grooming
BARK Air, the dog-first aviation and hospitality service, is marking International Dog Day, August 26, with a new in-flight grooming partnership with all-natural pet brand PRIDE+GROOM. The collaboration adds a dedicated grooming routine to the BARK Air concierge service, giving dogs a refresh mid-flight rather than only before boarding.
Onboard, the concierge team uses three signature PRIDE+GROOM products:
- THE SWIPE, an antiseptic wipe for freshening coats between baths
- THE BATH BRUSH, a massage brush meant to stimulate natural oils
- THE BALM, a moisturizing balm for paws and noses on long flights
Every ticket also now includes a complimentary bottle of PROUD Signature Scent, a pet cologne blending bergamot, citrus and ylang ylang.
The rollout follows research from Elanco Animal Health showing 95 percent of pet owners continue to prioritize their pets’ health and wellness despite economic pressure.
For more information, visit air.bark.co.
Mar del Cabo, Los Cabos, Mexico
Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts has added a 20-minute pet treatment called Pawsh Spa, set against a view of the Sea of Cortez. The ritual opens with Tibetan singing bowls and a natural-bristle brush massage, then moves into paw hydration with organic shea butter and jade rollers meant to cool dogs down after time in the Los Cabos heat. A house-baked treat made with dog-friendly ingredients closes out the session, while owners sip lavender lemonade nearby, staying close enough to the pet to ease any separation anxiety. Pawsh Spa costs $50.
The addition builds on the resort’s existing pet program. The Very Important Pets VIP Experience, a 4-night stay for small to medium-sized dogs, includes a suite fitted with a pet bed, personalized bowls and toys, plus in-suite grooming, a photoshoot, handler-led beach walks, daily meals tailored to the pet and a guide to nearby dog-friendly spots around Cabo. A shorter option, the 3-night Pampered Pooch Package in the resort’s Penthouse Suite, covers pet-friendly airport transfers, a chef-prepared pet menu, a sunset picnic and up to three hours of dog-sitting split across the stay.
For more information, visit mardelcabo.com.
The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba
At The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, a dog’s stay starts before check-in. Once a booking is made, a dedicated Pet Concierge takes over the animal’s trip logistics, handling travel requirements, dietary needs and any special occasions, then briefs the property team ahead of arrival so staff can recognize and greet the pet on sight. At arrival, dogs receive a sofa bed, treats, a new toy, waste bags and bowls set up with their own food and water.
The program, called the Very Important Pooch Program, extends past the guestroom. A gourmet Doggy Menu is available both in-room and at Madero Pool & Beach Grill, and Dog Cabanas give visiting pets a shaded spot to settle in by the pool or beach.
The program allows one dog per guestroom, with a 25-pound weight limit. A $250 non-refundable Dog Stay Fee applies per stay and does not apply to certified service animals. A separate Deep Cleaning Fee applies per stay, with the amount based on guestroom category.
For more information, visit ritzcarlton.com.
Amara Resort and Spa, Sedona, Arizona
Amara Resort and Spa in Sedona keeps things loose on size restrictions and heavy on small touches. Dogs are greeted by name on the lobby chalkboard and offered a complimentary snack at check-in. Rooms can be stocked with pet beds and bowls, and additional treats are sold through the minibar.
Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio at SaltRock Southwest Kitchen, where Chef Malik Von Saint built a revamped Pup Menu:
- Sedona Pup Bowl, grilled chicken, brown rice, blueberries and pumpkin puree, $22
- Canyon Bowl, boiled chicken and sweet potato mash, $14
- House-made peanut butter biscuits
- The Real Puppuccino, whipped cream with a light honey drizzle and no added sugar, $8
- Doggy Brew, a non-alcoholic beef broth drink, $12, discounted to $9 during Yappy Hour, 3 to 5 p.m. daily
All menu items use dog-safe ingredients. Dogs can also cool off in the creek next door, and staff can arrange local walking or sitting services. The nightly pet fee is $50 per pet, with a two-pet maximum per room.
For more information, visit amararesort.com.
The Lodge at Spruce Peak, Stowe, Vermont
The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Stowe opens its alpine-style property to dogs with a simple check-in kit: a water bowl, a bed and a chew toy. Pet-sitting can be arranged with 48 hours’ notice for a minimum of two hours, at an added cost.
The setup is straightforward rather than elaborate, which suits a mountain property built around outdoor time. Guests headed out for a day of skiing or hiking can leave a dog settled in a room with the basics covered, then pick up services such as sitting only if the schedule calls for it.
Of note: Booking a pet-friendly room or any pet service requires a direct call to the property at 844-367-1672 rather than an online reservation. A non-refundable dog fee of $100 plus tax applies per night.
For more information, visit sprucepeak.com.
The Maya, Long Beach, California
The Maya in Long Beach built its Throw Me a Bone package around a waterfront stay with a dog along. Up to two pets stay with no added pet fee, and the package includes overnight self-parking for one vehicle and a welcome treat at check-in.
Rates start at $279 plus tax for Standard Rooms and $294 plus tax for Water View Rooms, and the package is subject to availability. Cancellations are accepted up to 6 p.m. on the day of arrival, giving some flexibility for last-minute schedule changes.
Guests at this coastal setting get a straightforward, no-added-cost way to bring a dog along on a beach getaway without the usual per-pet surcharge stacking on top of a room rate. Booking is handled through a dedicated package link on the property’s site rather than a phone reservation.
For more information, visit themayalongbeach.com.
Hotel Nia, Menlo Park, California
Hotel Nia, part of the Autograph Collection, sits in the middle of Silicon Valley and waives its pet fee as part of a Pampered Pets package. Dogs staying under the package get treats, a bed and a bowl, while the fee itself is dropped rather than reduced.
Location does some of the work beyond the room: Menlo Park offers consistent sun and open green space nearby for dogs to run and stretch out after travel. Bedwell Bayfront Park, on the San Francisco Bay, is within reach and offers paved trails suited to hiking, biking, birding or a simple walk along the water.
For more information, visit hotelnia.com.
Hilton San Diego Bayfront, San Diego, California
Hilton San Diego Bayfront pairs its waterfront location with a Treat Your Pet package that bundles the pet fee with a set of accessories: bowls, a bandana, waste bags, a toy and treats.
The property’s location does much of the heavy lifting. Dogs can walk the Embarcadero, explore the hotel’s own Bayfront Park, or take the Beach Bus to Coronado Dog Beach. Balboa Park is also within reach for a longer outing. San Diego’s broader mix of pet-friendly parks and beaches gives the package more than a single on-site draw.
Dog treats are also sold separately at The Cannery Market and Supply, giving guests a take-home option beyond what’s included in the package. Between the bundled accessories and the range of nearby outdoor spots, the package is built more around what a dog can do during a stay than what happens inside the room.
For more information, visit hilton.com.
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, California
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills runs its dog program, the Pawsh Pet Program, with a check-in routine built around recognition: registered dogs get a hydration station and treats at valet and the concierge desk, and their name goes up on a VIP board.
Guests who register ahead of arrival find two bowls set out on a mat along with an in-suite copy of Winston’s Menu, a dog-focused food program from Executive Chef Anthony Keene. Options include The London Pooch, made with fresh chicken, brown rice, potatoes and whole eggs, along with treats in peanut butter, veggie and fruit flavors, plus Orijen dry food. A cozy bed is available on request for any dog staying at the property.
The hotel caps dog weight at 30 pounds, and charges a $20 nightly pet fee along with a separate $200 cleaning fee.
For more information, visit thelondonwesthollywood.com.
The Whitney Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
The Whitney Hotel sits in historic Beacon Hill and runs its dog program, Whitney Wags, through a set of artisan partnerships rather than generic pet-store items. Dogs staying at the property get a Lion + Wolf bed sized for real lounging, along with a double feeder for food and water.
Treats come from Boston’s own PolkaDog Bakery, and dogs can take home a branded Whitney bandana as a keepsake from the stay. Pet-friendly rooms are grouped on the second floor, with up to two pets allowed per room at up to 50 pounds each, for an added fee. The hotel also allows pets to join at on-site dining, so a dog doesn’t have to sit out mealtimes during the stay.
For more information, visit whitneyhotelbostom.com.
The Rittenhouse Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Rittenhouse Hotel in Center City accepts well-behaved dogs and cats, with one pet allowed per person and no size limit, for a fee per stay. The concierge team can arrange dog walking or pet sitting for an added cost, and guests are asked to make arrangements at least 48 hours before arrival.
In-room amenities typically include a bed, water bowl and treats at check-in, and the culinary team offers a dog-specific menu so a pet can eat alongside its owner rather than wait it out. The hotel sits a short walk from Rittenhouse Square, giving guests an easy option for a dog’s daily walk without leaving the neighborhood.
For more information, visit rittenhousehotel.com.
Juniper Preserve, Golf and Wellness Resort, Bend, Oregon
Juniper Preserve sits just outside Bend, a town known locally for its dog-friendly reputation, and built its Dog-Friendly Stay Package around outdoor access rather than in-room extras. The package requires a two-night minimum at Juniper Lodge or the resort’s vacation rentals and includes welcome treats, a travel bowl and maps marking nearby trails and off-leash areas.
The pet fee is included in the package rate, removing an added line item at checkout. Central Oregon’s terrain does the rest: guests have miles of trail access just outside the door, suited to long walks, early hikes or slower afternoons with a dog along.
For more information, visit juniperpreserve.com.
Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis Waterfront Hotel sits directly on the harbor in historic downtown Annapolis and allows up to two pets per room with no weight or breed restrictions. Guests are close to waterfront walks, dog-friendly shops and outdoor dining patios, along with local spots selling pup cups and other treats.
Outside downtown, Quiet Waters Park offers wooded trails, off-leash areas and a dog beach for a longer outing. The hotel’s Stay More, Save More offer applies to any guest, pet or not, with 15 percent off three-night stays and 20 percent off four-night stays.
A $100 fee per pet, per stay applies, and the hotel asks guests to flag a pet at the time of booking rather than at check-in.
For more information, visit annapoliswaterfront.com.
