The Top Dog Suite offers all the comforts of home — Photo courtesy of Paradise 4 Paws
Don't call it a kennel. Or a boarding facility. Those terms are too cooly impersonal for Paradise 4 Paws. It's a Denver resort.
Among the most common questions pet owners ask when they drop off their four-footed friend for the first time is, "Can I stay here, too?" Sure, it's tongue in cheek but, seriously, consider the Top Dog Suite, with its full-size human futon bed made up with plush covers in contemporary colors and styles set in a spacious 9-by-10-foot room with a sliding door.
Above the bed, a flat-screen TV runs Animal Planet. If your pet has a different favorite channel, no problem. The owner of one overnight guest requested SpongeBob SquarePants for her pet.
All suites have clear doors, and many have windows, too — Photo courtesy of Paradise 4 Paws
Paradise 4 Paws opened at Denver International Airport in December 2014. The company has resorts at Chicago O'Hare, Chicago Midway and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as well.
Much like the Ritz-Carltons and Four Seasons of the human resort world, Paradise 4 Paws prides itself on accommodating pet and pet owner needs and requests. The Top Dog Suite costs $100 per night and includes a 24/7 webcam, so owners can check on their pets any time from afar. Bring a family photo, and it can sit near the bed so your pet sees you at all times, too.
While there's a range of suite sizes – from the Top Dog Suite down to the 5-by-6-foot Deluxe Suite with premium dog bedding for $45 per night – one thing you won't find is a cage. All accommodations are roomy and feature see-through doors so the occupants have plenty of light and a view.
Overnight accommodations also come with a slew of amenities, including potty breaks and nightly tuck-in service, and all but two suite types include flat-screen TVs.
The small-dog play area has room to run and a shallow pool — Photo courtesy of Paradise 4 Paws
And there's playtime, which takes on a whole new look in paradise. First, dogs are separated into two groups by size. Those under 25 pounds have a (slightly smaller) area, with a shallow pool and their own wing of suites. The pool for pooches over 25 pounds gives water-lovers a chance to leap in and play if they want to, and plenty of space to run.
Resort staff members are out there with them, too – tossing balls, splashing in the pools and otherwise making sure all the resort guests are having fun.
If a pet doesn't play well with others, he or she still gets lots of playtime each day.
A large cat play area has climbing towers and a tropical fish tank for extra fun — Photo courtesy of Paradise 4 Paws
Paradise 4 Paws isn't just for dogs. Cats have roomy accommodations and playtime with staff members. Although cats don't have the same social environment as the dogs, each feline gets time out of his or her cat suite to enjoy the common play area, with elements guaranteed to intrigue and amuse kitties.
In addition to included amenities, the resort has a long list of a la carte options that owners can book for their pets, including training, treadmill workouts, massages, grooming, frozen peanut butter Kongs for dogs and tuna treats for cats. Personal cuddle time is available for a charge, as are private splash lessons, outdoor hikes and kitty laser tag.
An onsite veterinary clinic means vet care is available 24/7, and owners can schedule such routine services as vaccines, spaying, neutering, dental care and more. Animals with special health needs are well accommodated and receive the care they require in a special area of the resort, where potty and exercise areas feature softer surfaces and are close to suites.
As for humans, there's an amenity for them, too. Owners can drop of their pets and park for $12 per day right there. They'll be shuttled to and from the terminal, about eight minutes away.
The pool in the play area for large dogs is three-feet deep — Photo courtesy of Paradise 4 Paws
