I have been travelling with a dog for years, most recently with Lion through Andalusia and Portugal. He was welcome in almost every hotel – but almost always with restrictions, and often for a surcharge. Here is what I noticed in each country, and how I find hotels where the dog is not merely tolerated.
How it went, country by country
Spain: in the room yes, in the restaurant area no – I had breakfast in turns or in the room. In restaurants almost everywhere only outside on the terrace, which is not always cosy in winter.
Portugal: same as Spain. Even at the Tivoli Carvoeiro in the Algarve, Lion was not allowed into the dining area, restaurants only on the terrace. In the room, though, he was completely welcome.
Italy: practically never a problem, a dog in the restaurant is normal. At the Grand Hotel Arenzano in Liguria, Lion had his own cushion in front of the bed. In Sardinia many hotels charge about 20 euros per night extra.
Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland: relaxed – a surcharge yes, restrictions rarely.
How I find hotels where the dog is truly welcome
- On Booking.com set the «Pets allowed» filter – that already rules out half.
- Read the house rules: that is where it says whether a surcharge applies. «On request, charges may apply» usually means 10 to 30 euros per night.
- Before booking, drop the hotel a short line: how big may the dog be, what does he cost, is he allowed into the breakfast room, is there a patch of grass nearby? The answer tells you more than any star rating.
- Search the reviews for «dog» – other dog owners write honestly whether he was merely tolerated or truly welcome.
- Pack for the dog: collapsible bowl, his own blanket for the room, pet passport with valid rabies vaccination – without it you won't cross any border. My travel blanket was the Wolters «Vagabund» (100 × 70 cm): light, washable, and the dog has his piece of home even in a strange hotel room.
Hotels where Lion was welcome
Three hotels where I stayed with the dog myself and which I describe on their own pages: the Tivoli Carvoeiro in the Algarve, the Grand Hotel Arenzano in Liguria and The Flag Hotel in Estepona. Plus a hotel in Sardinia that explicitly welcomes dogs (20 euros per night): La Rosa dei Venti in Buggerru – I stayed there without a dog.
Your dog-friendly hotel tip
Stayed at a hotel with your dog and had a good or great experience? Tell me here. I collect the tips, check them and add the best ones to this page with your first name – helping everyone who travels with a dog.