Hotel Pet Fees by Brand: What Dogs & Cats Cost (2026)
Pet fees range from zero to more than the human's room rate. Here's the 2026 landscape by brand — flat fees, nightly fees, deposits, weight limits — and how to avoid paying twice for one dog.
Ben Campbell
2026-08-14 · Updated for 2026
The Three Fee Models
- Flat per-stay fee: most common at US chains — typically $50–$125 regardless of nights (short stays suffer most).
- Nightly fee: $25–$75/night at upscale brands; adds up brutally on week-long trips.
- Refundable deposit: increasingly rare; returned after a damage inspection.
Typical Costs by Brand Family (2026)
| Brand family | Typical pet cost | Weight/quantity limits |
|---|---|---|
| Kimpton (IHG) | Free — no fee, no weight limit | Famously unlimited; even non-standard pets |
| Motel 6 | Free (1–2 pets) | The budget standout for road trips |
| Red Roof Inn | Free (one pet) | Under ~80 lb typical |
| La Quinta (Wyndham) | $25–$40/stay at most locations | Two pets typical |
| Best Western | $30–$40/night, capped ~$150/stay | Varies by franchisee |
| Marriott brands | $75–$125/stay, property-set | Residence Inn commonly $100+/stay |
| Hilton brands | $50–$125/stay ('Hilton Pets' standardising) | Two pets, ~75 lb typical |
| Hyatt | $100±/stay at full-service, varies | Often 1–2 dogs, 50 lb |
| Four Seasons / luxury | Often free or ~$100+, amenity-led | Beds, bowls, menus included |
Franchised properties set their own numbers, so always confirm the exact fee with the specific hotel — the brand page gives the range, the property gives the price.
Rules That Surprise People
- Service animals are never charged in the US under the ADA, and no pet policy applies to them. Emotional-support animals, however, are treated as pets by most brands since 2021.
- Pets usually can't be left unattended in rooms; housekeeping will skip the room or the hotel may call you back.
- 'Pet-friendly' often means specific pet rooms — book early; inventory is small.
- Cats are excluded at some 'dog-friendly' properties; confirm species, not just 'pets'.
- Undeclared pets trigger deep-cleaning charges of $250+ — always declare.
Keeping the Cost Down
- For short stays, prefer nightly-fee hotels; for long stays, flat-fee ones — the crossover is usually around night 3.
- Kimpton, Motel 6 and Red Roof form a genuinely free itinerary backbone across the US.
- Loyalty status occasionally waives pet fees at boutique brands — ask, it's discretionary.
- Extended-stay brands' flat fees amortise well on weekly bookings, and kitchens beat room service for pet routines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hotel chains allow pets for free?
Kimpton, Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn are the consistently free names in the US — Kimpton with no weight limits at all. Many luxury properties waive fees as an amenity, at their discretion.
How much is a typical hotel pet fee?
Budget chains: $0–$40. Midscale: $25–$75 per stay or night. Upscale: commonly $75–$125 per stay in 2026. Always confirm whether the number is per stay or per night — that distinction is the whole game.
Are hotel pet fees refundable?
Fees are not; deposits are, after inspection. If a listing says 'pet deposit', ask explicitly whether it returns at checkout.
Can hotels charge for service dogs?
No — in the US, service animals under the ADA are exempt from all pet fees and pet policies. Emotional-support animals no longer share that protection at most brands.
