"Pet-friendly" is one of the most inconsistently used labels in the accommodation industry. At one end of the spectrum, it means a dedicated welcome pack, a dog bed in the room, a bowl of water in the lobby, and a designated dog walk on the grounds. At the other end, it means "we'll tolerate a small dog in one specific room if you pay a €30 per night surcharge and don't let it on the furniture."
Both of those properties will describe themselves as "pet-friendly."
This guide helps you cut through the label and find accommodation that actually works for your dog or cat — where the rules are clear, the welcome is genuine, and you're not paying through the nose for the privilege of bringing your animal with you.
Using this as part of your broader travel preparation? Pet accommodation is one piece of the planning puzzle. For the complete pre-travel checklist — documents, vet visits, transport booking, and packing — see: Pet Travel Checklist: Everything You Need Before Travelling with a Dog or Cat.
The disconnect between what "pet-friendly" means to a property and what it means to a pet owner is a source of real frustration for travelling pet owners. Here are the most common gaps:
Size restrictions. A hotel that accepts pets may accept only dogs under 10kg. Your Labrador — regardless of how well-behaved — is not welcome. This is rarely prominently displayed on the booking page.
Breed restrictions. Some accommodation providers maintain lists of restricted breeds, either for insurance reasons or owner preference. Bully breeds, large working breeds, and occasionally any specific breed the owner has decided they don't want are sometimes excluded even where the property is broadly "pet-friendly."
Room restrictions. Many hotels allow pets but only in specific rooms — often ground-floor rooms, rooms without carpet, or rooms in an older wing. These rooms sell out fast. Booking last-minute with a pet is a gamble.
Per-night surcharges. A supplement of €10–€50 per night is common. Some properties charge a one-time cleaning fee instead. Some charge both. This cost rarely shows up clearly in the initial price comparison and only appears at checkout.
What "pet-friendly" means for cats specifically. Most accommodation that accepts pets assumes dogs. Cats — who need an environment that can be safely enclosed so they can't escape — require more careful verification. Not every dog-friendly room is safe for a cat.
The major booking platforms (Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Airbnb) all have pet-friendly filters — but the filter itself doesn't discriminate between "minimum fee, no restrictions, genuinely welcoming" and "we'll put you in the basement for €40 extra per night."
When using these platforms:
Specialist platforms that focus specifically on pet-friendly accommodation sometimes provide more reliable filtering because pet policies are their primary organising principle rather than an afterthought. BringFido and similar services are worth checking for the destination you're travelling to.
For hotels, booking directly gives you an opportunity to confirm the actual pet policy before committing. Call or email and ask:
A hotel that fields these questions smoothly and answers them in detail is genuinely set up for pets. A hotel that fumbles the answers or has to check with management on all of them may be less experienced with pet-travelling guests than their listing suggests.
The best pet-friendly accommodation tends to share certain features:
Some properties go further: dog beds and bowls in the room, a welcome treat, a map of local dog walks. These are nice extras, but they're not the minimum. The minimum is a clear policy, appropriate space, and staff who don't make you feel like you're causing a problem by having an animal with you.
Pros: Consistent standards, usually good location, easy to book.
Cons: Pet policies are often restrictive on size and breed, per-night fees add up on longer stays, room availability for pets is limited.
Best for: Short stays, city breaks, travellers who need the convenience of a central location.
Tip: Independent hotels and boutique properties are often more genuinely pet-welcoming than large chain hotels, where pet policies tend to be more standardised and restrictive.
Pros: More space for larger dogs, kitchen means you can manage your pet's feeding routine, garden or outdoor space common, often more affordable for longer stays.
Cons: Quality and genuine pet-friendliness varies enormously between properties and owners; policies are owner-set and can be changed; security for cats requires careful verification.
Best for: Longer stays, large dogs, cats, families with multiple pets.
Key checks for rentals: Is the garden securely enclosed (important for dogs, essential for cats)? Are there any furnishings the owner wants kept clear of pets? Is there a local vet nearby? Is the property on the ground floor or does it require stairs that could be difficult for older dogs?
Pros: Highly dog-friendly in most cases; outdoor environment suits dogs very well; lower cost than hotels; flexibility.
Cons: Cats are impractical at most campsites (escape risk); weather dependency; campsite pet rules vary.
Best for: Outdoor-oriented dog owners on road trips or hiking holidays.
Often the most genuinely welcoming category for pet owners, particularly for dogs. Farmers and rural hosts typically have animals of their own, understand pets, have outdoor space naturally available, and don't charge extortionate supplements. The trade-off is that they may be off the main tourist routes.
Per-night pet supplement: The most common additional cost. €10–€50 per night is a typical range in Europe. Budget for it explicitly when comparing accommodation options.
One-time cleaning fee: Some properties charge a flat cleaning fee of €30–€100 per stay instead of a per-night supplement. For short stays, this is often more cost-effective. For longer stays, a per-night fee may be lower overall.
Damage deposit: Some properties require a refundable deposit at check-in for guests with pets. Typically €50–€200. Make sure you understand the conditions for its return.
"Approved floor only" policies: Some hotels restrict pets to specific floors or room types that are often at a premium. You may be paying a higher room rate in addition to a pet fee.
Unattended pet policies: Many hotels do not allow pets to be left unattended in rooms, or impose specific restrictions (e.g. pet must be crated if left alone). This affects what you can do in the evenings. Always check this before booking if you plan to eat at restaurants that don't allow dogs.
Bring their own bedding. Even in the best pet-friendly accommodation, familiar bedding makes a significant difference to how quickly a dog or cat settles in a new environment. Pack a familiar blanket or bed — one that smells like home.
Bring food and stick to the routine. Don't switch to local food brands unless your pet is accustomed to dietary changes. Digestive upset from a food change on top of travel stress is a bad combination.
Check in before you settle your pet. Have a look around the room before letting your pet out of their carrier or off the lead. Check for escape routes a cat could use, loose items a dog could chew, anything that looks like it could be a problem.
Introduce the room gradually for cats. Keep the carrier in the room for a while with the door open. Let the cat explore at their own pace rather than releasing them immediately. Close the bathroom door and check under furniture before letting them roam fully.
Notify the property about your pet on arrival. Even if you booked with a pet declared, remind the front desk. It ensures the right team is informed and avoids awkward moments if housekeeping comes to service the room.
Be a considerate pet guest. Leave the room tidy. Pick up after your dog in outdoor spaces. Keep noise levels manageable (a dog who barks all day while you're out is a problem for other guests). Being a good pet guest makes it easier for the next pet owner who stays there.
Use specialist filters on booking platforms but verify policies directly before booking. Call or email the property and ask specific questions: size limits, breed restrictions, fee structure, unattended pet policies, and access to outdoor space. Independent hotels, self-catering rentals, and rural B&Bs tend to be more genuinely accommodating than large chains.
No. Many pet-friendly hotels have size limits — commonly 10kg, 15kg, or 20kg. Always confirm the maximum weight or size limit for your dog before booking. Properties in rural areas or self-catering accommodation tend to be more flexible about large breeds.
This varies by property. Many hotels require pets to be crated if left alone, and some don't allow unattended pets at all. Check the property's policy before booking if this matters to your plans.
A per-night supplement of €10–€50 is typical across Europe. Some properties charge a flat cleaning fee of €30–€100 per stay instead. High-end hotels in popular tourist destinations tend to charge more; rural and independent properties tend to charge less or include pets at no extra cost.
Often yes — particularly for larger dogs, cats, and multiple pets. Self-catering rentals typically offer more space, outdoor areas, and flexibility around pet routines. The trade-off is that quality and genuineness of "pet-friendliness" varies more between individual properties than between hotels.
Accommodation pet policies change frequently. Always verify current policies directly with the property before booking.
Last updated: 2026