Exclusive Feature: Once upon a time having a pet sometimes meant having to give up your travel plans or perhaps paying a hefty fee to keep your four-legged friends in kennels or relying on friends to come by and feed your mewling moggy.

But those times are swiftly passing by as travelling with an animal becomes easier, from the advent of the pet passport and to global airlines now allowing some flyers to travel with their pets in front of their seats, to the hotels letting guests bring their dogs and cats on holiday with them.

And it is not just the weird and wonderful brand of independent hotel that are offering such a service, but big international chains that have opened up their doors to take away the stress some owners feel at leaving their furry friends behind.

Best Western is one of those hotels opening its doors to people and their pets as it recognises the "ever growing needs for pet friendly accommodations". But while some may think that by "pet" I mean "dogs", actually the hotel chain offers the opportunity for animals including, the usual dog and cat, but also monkey, birds and snakes – at the discretion of each property.

And it's not only Best Western that offers such a service.

Marriott recognises that pets are "considered part of the family" and as such offers pet-friendly hotels promising to treat their guests' animals to the same "outstanding services" as their human guests.

Still, it's not just the internationally known brand hotels that offer such a service. Mr and Mrs Smith boutique and luxury hotels promises that if "leaving your mutt behind laces your luxury break with guilt" one of the pet-welcoming properties will make sure your animal is not left at home, even going to the trouble of providing dog beds, special menus and "plenty of stick throwing opportunities".

All of this means that now pet owners have no excuse to stay at home with their furry – or maybe not furry – friends, and every opportunity to get out, find a nice hotel and enjoy a long weekend or maybe longer away.

There are even website that helps pet owners choose where they want to travel to and what options there are for accommodation. BringFido.com allows people to browse for pet-friendly destinations worldwide, as do websites such as petswelcome.com.

Meanwhile, other search sites such as booking.com and hotels.com provide options for finding accommodation for those travellers looking to bring their dogs, cats and other pets to international destinations.

So don't be put off from taking a trip to see friends and family, or even to go a little further afield, just take your per with you and they will really be part of the family.

This is strictly an exclusive feature, reprints of this article in any shape or form without prior written approval from 4Hoteliers.com is not permitted.

Louise Osborne is a correspondent and editor based in Berlin, Germany. She began her career working at regional newspapers in the UK and now works with journalists across the globe as part of international journalism organization, Associated Reporters Abroad (ARA). Living abroad for the second time, she continues to be fascinated by places both near and far, and boards a plane eagerly, as often as she can.

Louise writes a weekly exclusive column for 4Hoteliers.com


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