Pet-Friendly Holiday Travel

The holiday season is traditionally a time to be with family members--and for many travelers this includes their pets.

According to the Travel Industry Association, Fluffy and Fido are popular travel companions, with nearly 30 million U.S. adults reporting they have traveled with a pet on a trip of 50 miles or more, one-way, away from home in the past three years.

Loews Hotels, the first national hotel brand to recognize the importance of pets in their guests' lives with its innovative "Loews Loves Pets" program, rolls out the red carpet for four-legged guests this holiday season with its "Houndly Holidays" package. Designed for canine and feline family members, the program features a special rate on a one-night stay, an in-room holiday meal for pets, Loews Loves Pets amenities and other pet-friendly offerings.

The package is available at 17 Loews Hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada from October 19, 2009 to January 10, 2010; prices vary by date and location. Examples of starting prices are $134 for the Loews Denver and Loews New Orleans hotels. Package prices are based on double occupancy and are subject to availability.

"Our aim at Loews Hotels is to offer our guests a 'home away from home' whether they arrive on two legs or four," commented Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels and proud owner of Minnie a Maltipoo puppy. "For many, the holiday season means spending time and traveling with our loved ones. We designed this program to help make our guests and their pets feel especially welcome at our hotels."

As part of Loews Loves Pets program, all animals are "Very Important Pets" (VIPs). Each is welcomed with a Loews Loves Pets brochure, which includes a listing of pet services available at the hotel, including dog-walking routes and information on nearby veterinarians, pet shops, groomers, pet attractions, pet-friendly restaurants and other resources. Guests also receive a special amenity that includes pet placemats with food and water bowls, dog tags, treats, scoop bags and a "Do Not Disturb" sign that lets housekeeping know when a pet is in the room. Pet walking and pet sitting services are available through the hotels' concierge desks. Loews Hotels also offer a "Puppy Pager" service, which equips pet-owning guests with a pager or cell phone to allow hotel staff to contact them immediately if there is a pet-related emergency.

Loews Hotesl is just one example of the growing number of properties that have developed pet-friendly programs and policies. Web sites such as PetFriendlyTravel.com and BringFido.com offer visitors comprehensive information on pet-friendly hotels and tips for traveling with a pet.