PET TRAVEL |
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WE HAVE GUESTS WHO MAKE OUR HOTELS HOME FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND SO [ WE ] WANT TO BE AS ACCOMMODATING AS WE CAN BE |
– BRITTANY HATTINGH ,
DIRECTOR OF BRAND
PROGRAMMING AND
INNOVATION , SONESTA
INTERNATIONAL HOTELS
eight nights ? “ We have a lot of guests in Sonesta ES Suites and Simply Suites that stay for 15 to 30 days or longer . We had to make the break somewhere and so it ’ s a clean cut-off at seven nights and , unfortunately , the eight-night guest pays a little more and the 30-night guests pays much less on a nightly basis ,” said Hattingh . “ We did have a sliding-scale rate at one point where there was a small , weekly supplemental cost after seven days , but it was confusing for our guests and hotels alike .”
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According to My Place ’ s Thomas , individual properties can adjust pet fees to meet the local competitive market pricing that is offered . “ Pricing is typically offered on a nightly , weekly or monthly basis ,” he said , with total pet weight allowed up to 80 pounds and two pets per room . Pets are not permitted to be left alone in the guestroom unless they are caged .
Toward that , only cats and dogs are okay for the My Place brand . Asked if someone who shows up from the road late at night with a guinea pig or a parakeet in a cage can get a pass , Thomas stressed , “ No other animals are permitted under our pet policy .”
Hattingh said Sonesta properties have encountered a large variety of domestic pets and have left the approval up to the hotels ’ leadership . “ We have guests who make our hotels home for a period of time and so [ we ] want to be as accommodating as we can be , while not risking the safety or security of any employees or guests ,” she said .
Two pets per guestroom are allowed but there are neither breed nor weight restrictions at Sonesta-branded hotels .
At the JW Marriott Desert Springs , the requirements for accepting pets , in this case , dogs , was provided at the corporate level by Marriott International . The policy includes an agreement that needs to be signed by the pet parent and a non-refundable pet fee of $ 150 per stay plus a $ 20 daily fee to
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cover the cost of “ additional and necessary ” cleaning .
Binder said the dog agreement form outlines the pet fees , behavior guidelines , pet-friendly areas on the 450- acre property , housekeeping guidelines , dog-relief areas and assessment for repair or replacement due to damage caused by the dog ( s ). The fees cover carpet shampooing , hair removal , furniture and drape cleaning , room deodorizing and maintenance of pet-relief areas and pet-friendly areas . Two dogs , each up to 50 pounds , are allowed per guestroom or suite .
A guest checks in with his faithful companion at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa .
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A dog relaxing on the lawn of the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in California . |
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28 hotelsmag . com September 2024 |