Historic Hotels That Welcome Four-Legged Guests

By Catherine Siskos

With their antiques and often luxurious accommodations, you might think historic hotels would be the last place to welcome guests with pets. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, however, counts no fewer than 60 pet-friendly historic hotels across the United States, and that list (see www.historichotels.org/ vacations_leisure/22) is far from comprehensive.

Still, the globe-trotting cat or dog (or even ferret, parrot, or hamster) can expect some house rules. Pets can't be left alone for long periods in a room and aren't allowed on the furniture. Some hotels restrict Rover's size by imposing weight limits of 40 pounds or less, and a $25 daily fee for each pet is common, although occasionally a deposit of $50 or more, often refundable, is charged instead. And even though guests with pets can only stay in designated rooms, "they're just as nice as the other rooms," says Eileen Barish, author of Vacationing with Your Pet, who has stayed in historic hotels with her two golden retrievers.

In fact, many hotels go the extra mile to ensure a comfy stay for their four-legged guests. The Beaux Arts Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, supplies pet beds with wrought-iron frames and velvet cushions in small, medium, and large sizes. There's even a room service pet menu prepared by the hotel's chefs, and at California's historic Napa River Inn, dog biscuits made with real wine are handed out as a canine version of an afternoon aperitif. Many hotels also provide lists of pet-friendly places to visit. Because policies sometimes change, Barish recommends that you always confirm that the hotel still allows pets before you bring your menagerie along.

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