It’s a scientific fact that spending time with dogs – just looking at them! – lowers blood pressure, reduces cortisol levels and slows heart rate.
So it makes sense that more and more hotels are bringing in dogs and other animals for guests to interact with and help reduce the stress of travel.
We give all of these four paws up!
Giraffe Manor | Nairobi, Kenya
Have breakfast with the giraffes at Giraffe Manor — Photo courtesy of The Safari Collection
This twelve-room boutique hotel in Kenya is home to a herd of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes who have no qualms about sticking their necks out – and through your window – to say good morning and join you for breakfast.
You can take a guided walk in the sanctuary and visit the A.F.E.W. (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife) Giraffe Centre, where you can also feed these magnificent animals. This is a bucket list trip, for sure. Don’t be surprised to find yourself grinning joyfully in each selfie you take with the giraffes.
Fairmont Vancouver
Ella and Elly are the new Canine Ambassadors at Fairmont Vancouver — Photo courtesy of Fairmont Vancouver
Fairmont Hotels are known for their love of animals and their Canine Ambassadors. In fact, the late Catie at Fairmont Copley Plaza and Gibbs and Bixby at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess are the stars of their own children’s books.
At the Fairmont Vancouver, where beloved longtime ambassadors Beau and Mavis recently retired, Ella and Elly have joined the team. Both three years old, Ella is a Lab/Golden Retriever mix, and Elly is a Black Lab. They trained with BC & Alberta Guide Dogs but their social personalities were better suited to hospitality as you’ll immediately discover when they greet you.
If you’re missing your own furry family member or just want company, they’ll gladly go on a walk with you. They don’t accept tips but a belly rub or treat (which the human concierge will provide you) is always appreciated.
The Historic Brookstown Inn | Winston-Salem, N.C.
Sally, the resident cat at the Historic Brookstown Inn — Photo courtesy of Visit Winston-Salem
Like many guests, Sally showed up at the Historic Brookstown Inn and decided she never wanted to leave. She is, however, the only one who has moved in permanently.
Sally had accidentally gotten locked in the back of a tractor-trailer truck and, through a microchip, the staff traced her back to her owner in Washington, who couldn’t travel across the country to get her. So, for the past five years, the cat has smartly limited her roaming to the Brookstown's lobby and its lovely courtyard, allowing guests to pat her on the head and admire her purr-fection.
Sunrise Springs Spa Resort | Santa Fe
Guests play with puppies at Sunrise Springs Spa Resort — Photo courtesy of Sunrise Springs Spa Resort
This tranquil spa destination in Santa Fe is all about wellness and healing, so it’s no wonder they have a Puppy Studio where you can (yes!) play with puppies.
Partnering with Assistance Dogs of the West, the resort gives you the opportunity to help train these bundles of love to become future service dogs. Through activities like Puppies: Heart Opener, All About Assistance Dogs, Upbeat Canine Play and Puppy Preschool, you can tune into these dogs’ curiosity, energy and unconditional love. As you teach each other, you’ll be rewarded with wagging tails and wet kisses.
Peabody Hotel | Memphis
The famous Peabody Marching Ducks at the Peabody Memphis — Photo courtesy of The Peabody Memphis
Author David Cohn once said if you stand near the fountain in the middle of the Peabody Hotel lobby, you'll ultimately see everybody who is anybody in the Delta. For thousands of guests who, well, flock there every year, that means seeing the legendary Peabody Marching Ducks parade across the red carpet to the tune of John Philip Sousa’s "King Cotton (march)."
The five North American Mallard ducks – one drake, with a white collar and green head, and four hens – have their own accommodations in the "Royal Duck Palace" on the hotel’s rooftop. Every day at 11 am, Duckmaster Anthony Petrina leads them down the elevator to the fountain in the Grand Lobby, where they happily spend the day entertaining guests until they make the procession back up at 5 pm.
This is a must-see – and the only time duck lips are acceptable in photos.
Kimpton Canary | Santa Barbara, Calif.
Director of Pet Relations, Wiley, at Kimpton Canary — Photo courtesy of Kimpton Canary Santa Barbara
One of the best features about Kimpton Hotels is the fact that guests are often greeted by four-legged Directors of Pet Relations, whose "happy to see you" wagging tails make them feel right at home.
At Kimpton Canary in Santa Barbara, Wiley, a handsome rescue, proudly holds that title. He mans ("dogs?") the front desk, eagerly jumping up to see how he can help. He makes sure furry guests have their names on the welcome chalkboard, he tests the pet amenities himself and he presides over the evening wine hour. Forget about coveting a butler of your own; you'll just wish you could take Wiley home.
Stonepine Estate | Carmel Valley, Calif.
Guests love to feed the horses before taking a trail ride at Stonepine Estate — Photo courtesy of Stonepine Estate
Check into this luxurious hideaway along the Monterey Peninsula, then check out the Equestrian Center, which was built in the 1920s and houses 50 horses whom you can feed, pet and take for trail rides.
Stonepine Estate is home to so many other animals, as well, from Desi the Havanese, to Canadian geese, dozens of deer, a protected owl and even a resident mountain lion and bobcats. Whenever the local SPCA finds an endangered animal, they actually release it at Stonepine. No wonder this Tuscany-inspired estate is often referred to as "The Noah’s Ark of California."
Fogo Island Inn | Joe Batt's Arm, N.L.
Newfoundlands in Newfoundland at Fogo Island Inn — Photo courtesy of Fogo Island Inn
Could there be anything better than spending time with Newfoundlands in Newfoundland? At the stunning Fogo Island Inn, on the edge of the North Atlantic, you can go exploring with Make and Break, the two Newfies who basically run the place.
Their official titles, according to the Inn’s website, are "Loveable Nuisances" but, as someone who was owned by a Newf for almost 12 years, I can guarantee that spending a few days cuddled up with them, simply watching the crashing waves, would be reason enough to come from far away, fly into Gander, then drive to Farewell to take the ferry to Fogo Island. One look at the breathtaking scenery will have you drooling just like these gentle giants.
Terranea Resort | Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
Falconer Joe Roy III teaches guests about birds of prey at Terranea Resort — Photo courtesy of Terranea Resort
There’s so much to take in at this luxury eco-resort on the Pacific, but if you want a real bird’s-eye view, take a complimentary educational session with onsite Falconer Joe Roy III to learn about the important role birds of prey play in Terranea’s ecology.
Since 2009, his majestic falcons and owls have helped ensure that the resort is free from droppings and bacteria from seagulls, pigeons and crows who would otherwise overrun the area. Joe trains the birds daily, and his lessons are fascinating. He uses drones, creances, jesses and other techniques while wearing protective gauntlets on his hands to act as a perch. All you have to do is perch yourself on a lounge chair and marvel as the birds do their stuff.
Hotel Jerome | Aspen, Colo.
Rocky with the bellmen at the historic Hotel Jerome — Photo courtesy of Hotel Jerome
Rocky is the only member of the warm and welcoming Hotel Jerome staff who doesn't wear the signature black Stetson – and the only one often found lying down on the job.
The adorable Bernese Mountain Dog, named after the mountains surrounding his historic home, was born on Christmas Eve five years ago and adopted from Bernese Auction Rescue Coalition out of Oklahoma City. An active member of the hotel team, he takes his job as Director of Cuddles very seriously and loves accompanying families on "trail-wagging" walks.
