Looking to visit the Sunshine State with your furry friend? Luckily for you, Florida has several pet-friendly hotel destinations that each have their benefits and unique selling points!
The best Floridian hotels offer dog welcome packs, activities and events for your pet, fabulous views and sceneries you can share with your furry pal, and pet-friendly restaurants nearby.
In this guide, we’ll explore:
- Eight of the best dog- and pet-friendly hotels in Florida and where they’re located
- Key features, amenities, and general activities and benefits for your pets
- Each hotel’s pet fees, policies, and other limitations to be aware of.
Let’s get to it!
Southern Oaks Inn
- Address: 2800 N Ponce de Leon Boulevard, St. Augustine, FL 32084
- Key feature: Dog park
- Pet price: $25 per day per stay
Highly rated both on BringFido and TripAdvisor, Southern Oaks Inn is a pet-friendly hotel that welcomes you and up to two pets per room (both cats and dogs allowed!). The pet fee is $25 per day per stay, and there are no weight, height, or type restrictions.
Though centrally located, Southern Oaks also offers a free shuttle to downtown for convenience. And if you’re bringing your own car, the hotel has free parking available.
One of the perks of the Southern Oaks is the fenced dog area for your pet to go off the leash and zoom around in!
With a little agility tube and bridge, a treehouse gazebo, and a large tree if your pup needs shade, this is a perfect location for your two- and four-legged children.
The inn also provides dog beds and dishes, and you might have to fend off your pup with the delicious breakfast that comes with the room. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast, and pancakes are on the menu!
If your pet is super well-behaved, you can even mosey on down to the lobby for a dog treat — cookies for owners are available, too!
Aloft Orlando Downtown
- Address: 500 S Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
- Key feature: Only hotel dog adoption program in Central Florida
- Pet price: $0
Aloft Orlando Downtown is a pet-friendly location that welcomes dogs, cats, and fish only (sorry, scaly friends!). Here, you’re allowed to bring up to two pets with you.
One key feature of this property is that there’s no pet fee for you to bring furry friends along. At check-in, you simply have to sign a waiver – and that’s it! The front desk even provides dog bones and other treats.
You can tell Aloft is more than just a hotel that says it’s “pet-friendly” when you hear about its active approach to facilitating dog adoptions with Greater Orlando’s Pet Alliance.
In fact, in 2019, Aloft celebrated its 100th puppy adoption with a “Bow Wow Luau” event that included a dog house “PAWction” bidding, a “Pawaiian” costume contest, and nibbles!
If you’re a dog lover and had to leave your furry friend behind this time, the pup up for adoption in the lobby of the hotel is always ready to go on walks with guests. Who knows: you might be leaving with another pooch to keep your one at home company!
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld
- Address: 10100 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
- Key feature: Homemade treats for dogs and humans
- Pet price: $30
At DoubleTree SeaWorld by Hilton, resort suites specifically for dog owners are on offer, provided that you check in (a smooth and efficient process) with a pet that weighs under 70 pounds and pay the “pet tax”.
For a non-refundable $30 fee, your pooch gets to stay with you and sleep in a luxurious hotel room (not some random kennel outside)!
There are many grassy areas in the vicinity for your dogs to relieve themselves and which are accessible via outside entrances for each “dog-specific”, ground-floor room.
If you’re bringing all family members — not just the furry ones — then DoubleTree also provides several fun activities such as mini golf, ping pong, a pool table, life-size Checkers, as well as an outdoor Saturday movie night!
We’ll let you in on a little secret: DoubleTree has cookies for humans, for free. To make sure your pets don’t miss out, DoubleTree also offers dog treats to special pups. The staff here is extremely friendly and will go out of their way to learn your pet’s name!
Amid all the restaurants that will astonish your palate, other hotel-goers have recommended the Baja Shrimp — a cajun-spiced shrimp dish with a tangy topping.
A note on the room preferences: The “tower” may be considered nicer, but it’s not as conveniently located near dog relief areas as the ground-floor rooms. Which room you decide on is specific to you and your pet’s needs!
Marriott Stanton South Beach
- Address: 161 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 331339
- Key feature: Dog-friendly beach
- Pet price: $150 per week
If you’re opting for a longer-term stay — something for a few weeks, rather than just a weekend trip — we definitely recommend the Marriott Stanton South Beach on Ocean Drive.
At a non-refundable $150 fee per week for two pets (weighing up to 30 pounds each) per room, Marriott Stanton welcomes furry friends that are well-behaved and trained to be left unattended in your suite.
When you check in, expect treats and a bed for your pets, sophisticated Bohemian beach vibes, and fantastic views over the dog-friendly shore.
From the concierge to the valet and the restaurant staff, you’ll be treated to great service and dog-friendly interactions all the way.
Even people who aren’t staying at the hotel roam the hotel’s restaurants; the two Japanese-styled, 2022 Michelin-starred restaurants (Azabu Miami Beach and The Den) are highly regarded, and Lolo’s Surf Cantina (Mexican cuisine) and Starbucks (for the morning drowsiness) are very popular as well.
You can even take your pooch with you to Starbucks and order from the outside window to get a coffee for yourself and a little treat for your dog! The cafe will happily provide water so you don’t have to worry about your pup getting dehydrated.
Though there’s no green area on the Stanton property, you’ll find a lush park right next to the hotels so you’ll have somewhere nearby you can take your pup for bathroom breaks!
Sheraton Suites Orlando International Airport
- Address: 7550 Augusta National Drive, Orlando, FL 32822
- Key feature: Accommodating of pet needs
- Pet price: $100 per stay
The Sheraton Suites Orlando International Airport encourages guests to bring two pets of up to 40 pounds for a non-refundable fee of $100 per stay.
Praised by one previous guest who was seeking refuge from Hurricane Ian with his pups, Sheraton is highly recommended and commended for its cleanliness and effective management.
Another guest advised letting the hotel know that you’re traveling with dogs (rather than indirectly through booking agencies), and asking for a room at the back of the hotel near a door that has exterior access to get out easily with your dogs.
If you’re trying to find accommodation in proximity to the International Airport, Sheraton Orlando is only a five-minute drive away!
The hotel also provides daily on-site parking for a per-day rate of $15. If you do need alternative transportation, the Sheraton offers a free shuttle to the airport.
From small Yorkshires to petite Havaneses or Shih Tzus, dogs will be in for a treat thanks to the extremely accommodating staff.
The hotel’s employees have also been known to respond rapidly to reservations and ensure that your check-in and room preparations are all finalized by the time you arrive with your pet!
For dog-friendly activities around Sheraton, the Jubilee Dog Park is just five minutes away by driving. A dog-friendly restaurant within walking distance to try out is Rock & Brews. The restaurant has an outdoor patio area for you to dine with your pets!
Residence Inn Sandestin at Grand Boulevard
- Address: 300 Grand Boulevard, Destin, FL 32550
- Key feature: Various recreational activities
- Pet price: $125
Regular travelers throughout Florida know that Residence Inns are all generally dog-friendly. The Residence Inn Sandestin at Grand Boulevard is no exception! Here, feel free to bring two furry friends of any size for a $125 charge per stay.
We really love the mix of recreational spaces that Residence Inn has for human guests, as well as four-legged ones.
From outdoor sports courts and a pool to reading libraries and picnic spots, expect to do a lot of walking around with your companion and taking in the beautiful scenery.
From check-in, you’ll be greeted by the warm staff who’ll hand you a form for your pet and a welcome pet pack (treats included).
They’ll also show you a small area for pets to do their business (with bags provided!), before letting you off to roam the serene surroundings of Sandestin.
Location is also another winning factor for many guests. Previous guests have praised Residence Inn for its proximity to shopping, parks, and dog-friendly restaurants in the nearby mall.
The Grand Boulevard, a complex that houses the Residence Inn, has plenty of different pet-friendly eateries with patio seating arrangements for you to sit down and enjoy a delicious dinner!
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Address: 1850 Animation Way, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
- Key feature: Pluto’s Welcome Kit
- Pet price: $50 per night
At $50 per night, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort allows guests to bring two dogs of any size on vacation!
This hotel is a treat for those who don’t like the policies of having to leash dogs or keeping them in cages while you’re out and about. Disney’s resort is unique in that pups can be left unattended as long as you hang up the Pluto “Room Occupied” door hanger.
When you arrive at this Disney Resort with your furry friend, they’ll receive Pluto’s Welcome Kit! This kit contains water and food bowls, a mat for those bowls, doggy bags, a sunny pet tag, a Pluto door hanger, and a map of walking trails and pet relief areas.
If the reception runs out of complimentary dog bowls, you’ll likely be compensated so that you can then buy them in their gift shop. And if they run out of welcome kits, some guests have said that the pet fee may even be discounted by 50%.
Wondering where you can take your dog to do their business? Disney has four locations by Buildings 2, 5, 6, and 8.
If you need to use the complimentary airport shuttle or the “Minnie Van”, you can do so with your dogs as long as they’re kept in a carrier during the ride (for health and safety reasons)!
Naples Bay Resort
- Address: 1500 5th Avenue S, Naples, FL 34102
- Key feature: Gorgeous views
- Pet price: $75 per stay
Situated on the marina, Naples Bay Resort and Marina welcomes two pets weighing up to 40 pounds for an extra charge of $75 per stay when you book.
Similar to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Naples Bay Resort also lets you leave your well-trained pets in their rooms without any supervision!
The valet and doormen are extremely knowledgeable, the receptionists are friendly and prompt, and the chefs are exceptional at delivering delectable culinary experiences.
When you arrive, your pets may even be greeted with special cookies in the reception area and water and food bowls in your room. For pup owners, there’s a well-equipped kitchen waiting for you too!
Guests have commented positively on the balcony with a view of Naples Bay, particularly the sunset marina walks with their fur babies.
For human activities, owners can lounge at the pool and lazy river or rent a bicycle to explore the pier, the 5th Avenue shopping area, Naples Beach, and Tin City.
For your pets, Naples Botanical Garden is a seven-minute drive away and is open to four-legged visitors on Tuesday and Sunday mornings for a fee. If you prefer something closer, Cambier Park is also a popular destination for many leashed pups to stroll around as well.
Key Takeaways
If you’re looking to take your furry family member out to a magnificent location with fantastic views, great choices include hotels like the Naples Bay Resort and the Residence Inn Sandestin at Grand Boulevard.
For treats and goodies, DoubleTree and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will fit the bill!
Finally, if you’re looking for accommodating and flexible hotels that really go the extra mile compared to the usual “dog-friendly” hotel, Sheraton Orlando and Aloft Orlando Downtown are options that you definitely should be taking a look at.
All in all, each hotel offers unique advantages, and there are sure to be several places that will pique your interest when it comes to a vacation with your pooch. If you’re visiting Florida frequently, why not try them all?