Last Updated: 4 months ago
Thanks to the internet, it can be relatively easy to find affordable pet hotels, though it may take a bit of time. By concentrating your search in the San Francisco area, you should discover lots of choices.
However, one thing to know is that many internet searches don’t seem to distinguish (yet!) between pet-friendly hotels and pet hotels. And there is definitely a difference.
There are also some inexpensive tools that you can use to make the most of your chosen pet hotel.
Pet-Friendly Hotels Vs Pet Hotels
Pet-friendly hotels accept your pet with you, but not without you. So if you’re traveling to San Francisco and you’re looking for a place to stay with your pet while you see the sights, a pet-friendly hotel is what you need.
Pet hotels, as the name suggests, are just for your pet. It can take time to find a budget pet hotel in the area, as the area isn’t the cheapest part of the country, but it can be done.
Here’s what can assist you in your search:
- Top search tools
- Explore databases
There are many databases of all different kinds of accommodations, including pet hotels. It’s worth knowing, though, that, as with any database, you’ll still have to contact the pet hotel to make sure that their rules, services, and fees are up-to-date.
Some venues can decide to make changes in what they provide, and you don’t want to get caught unawares. For instance, you don’t want to book a pet hotel that promises individual rooms with doggie beds just to arrive and discover that your pet will get a blanket on the floor!
Databases like Yelp can offer venues that you might not have thought of: one dog hotel in the San Francisco area is a dog training facility. So your dog can be looked after and may well come back to you even better trained!
Some places offer military discounts, so if you are eligible, this could be a helpful term to use in your search.
Be sure to start your search for a pet hotel in San Francisco in the part that’s most convenient for you, but don’t be surprised if you have to travel a bit further out to get the cheapest deals.
Another advantage of databases is that most of them include customer reviews, so you can read about what others have experienced and take into account any particularities of your dog. According to the reviews, senior dogs, dogs with medical conditions, shy or anxious dogs—all types of dogs—have found happy places to stay.
Other Ideas Worth Trying
Try an app
Today, there are many apps dedicated to dogs and their owners, and some have listings of dog-friendly venues such as restaurants and attractions and can include pet hotels. Just put San Francisco in the search area, and you’ll find several venues to choose from.
BringFido, for instance, is a popular app that offers information from locations worldwide. It allows you to not only find the best places for your pet but also tailor your trip without costing a fortune. Users share experiences on the app, too, so you can ask others for recommendations or read their reviews of various places.
Get a dog monitor
No matter where you decide to board your pet, it may be worth getting a dog monitor so that you can stay in touch for pennies.
There’s a Dog Monitor app that you can use wherever you have an internet connection so that you can check on your pet and even speak to him or her. This can be very handy if you are concerned that your dog might be stressed while away from you; the app lets you hear when they bark, so you can calm them down yourself if needed.
Try a pet sitter
One cheap option for a pet hotel is to find a pet sitter who will welcome your dog into their home. Pet sitters tend to be less expensive per day than large pet hotels since the sitter doesn’t have many overhead costs to contend with.
Think of a pet sitter as a budget pet hotel with VIP service; your dog may well be the only animal there. Plus, your dog gets to spend time in a home environment, which may suit him or her better than a larger space with lots of dogs.
Conclusion
San Francisco may be a relatively expensive part of the country, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find an affordable pet hotel to meet your needs. It’s all about being prepared, knowing what you want, and taking the time to get it.
