Does your hotel of choice just tolerate pets, or does it welcome them with open arms, locally sourced dog treats, and plush dog beds? These dog friendly luxury hotels do, and your dog can smell the difference a mile away.

There are a number of dog friendly luxury hotels in Vancouver so you don’t have to sacrifice to bring your fur kid along for the adventure.

As animal lovers, we love bringing our dogs with us for staycations and any chance we get. Meet Trevor, Stacy, Margo and Rocco who have all stayed at the finest hotels Vancouver has to offer. In this review they’ll guide you through the ins-and-outs of each hotel so you know where to bring your furry friend next time you stay in Vancouver.

Things To Consider When Choosing Dog Friendly Luxury Hotels:

• Pet fees/cleaning fees: Of course service dogs are always welcome at no charge. Otherwise, some hotels charge fees, some don’t.
• Grassy areas: Where will you take your dog out? Is there a grassy area nearby or will they have to hold it?
• Ease of access: Some hotels have busy lobbies and escalators, while others are relatively quiet.
• Weight restrictions: Does your pet make the weigh-in? Some hotels only accept smaller dogs.

1. Fairmont Vancouver Airport

Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel Pet Policy.

Pros

• The endless plane watching will keep you and your pet busy, and with triple-paned glass, you won’t have to worry about the noisy runway.
• Gold floor pet-friendly rooms are available.
• No weight restrictions for pets! (Maximum 2 per room).
• Dog bed and dog dishes provided upon check-in.
• There is a large grassy area with trees to the left of the main entrance to the Fairmont/USA departures terminal. For the bold pets, there’s even a revolving door to test the nerves.
• Next to the grassy area, there is a nice gravel trail with trees that leads to the employee parking lot. The place for a quick pee and to stretch the legs.
• The airport itself (YVR) is very pet friendly, with a therapy dog program just having launched this past summer for distressed travelers.
• There are even pet-friendly restrooms that have been installed so passengers don’t have to clear security again, just to take their pet out.

Cons

• Depending on your travel goals, it could be a pro or a con that the Fairmont Vancouver Airport is in Richmond, about a 30 minute drive away from Vancouver’s city center.
• Pet/cleaning fees: $25 CAD night.

2. Fairmont Pacific Rim

Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel Pet Policy.

Pros

• Stanley Park, voted the best park in the world, awaits right outside the front doors of the Fairmont Pacific Rim, providing plenty of breathtaking opportunities to go for a run and see the sights with your dog.
• No weight restrictions for pets!
• Pet bed, walking map, dog dishes provided upon check-in.
• Pet-sitting services are available.
• No pet cleaning fees! (With the exception of a deep clean if required).

Cons

• The Fairmont Pacific Rim lobby is a Vancouver hotspot in the evenings, and gets extremely busy as a result. This can be a challenge to get your pet outside if they are sensitive to loud noises, slippery tile floors, and crowds of people. Plan accordingly.
• Certain rooms are not pet friendly.

3. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Pros

• Plenty of pet amenities including a welcome mat in the room, dog dishes, welcome treats, toy, information sheet on pet activities.
• If you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet one of the Fairmont’s Canine Ambassadors who will welcome you and aim to create a ‘paw-sitively’ wonderful home away from home.
• Treat your dog and order some room service from the special canine in-room dining menu!
• No weight restrictions for pets!
• Just down the street is a decent size grassy area, cascading water, and open concrete area next to the church where you can take your dog to the bathroom.

Cons

• Pet/cleaning fees: $25 CAD night.

4. Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver

Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver Pet Policy.

Pros

• Forgot to pack dinner? No problem, just order off the room service menu made just for dogs and get a chef prepared meal brought to the room.
• Take home some Four Seasons branded swag. There are dog leashes, beds and feeding mats to choose from.
• No weight restrictions for pets!
• No pet cleaning fees! (With the exception of a deep clean if required).
• Plenty of pet amenities including a dog bed, homemade treats, bottled water, dog dishes, and doggy bags.

Cons

• Only a small grassy area near the art gallery across the street to go to the bathroom.
• If the elevator is out of order in the lower lobby (like it was when we stayed last time), you’ll have to take the escalator up to the main lobby which can be challenging for some dogs!

5. Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Rosewood Hotel Georgia Pet Policy: Call for details. 1 888 767 3966.

Pros

• High quality pet amenities provided upon check-in, including a plush dog bed, water bowls, feeding mat, and bottled water.
• Accommodating to larger dogs, despite a mix up with booking the room. When I booked through American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts, I told the concierge I was bringing two German Shepherds, certainly over the 25lb weight restriction. However this information wasn’t passed along to the Rosewood Hotel Georgia front desk, because upon check-in they were quite surprised to see Trevor and Stacy! Nonetheless, they handled it very professionally, and welcomed them both.

Cons

• Just like the Four Seasons (which is right next door), there is only a small grassy area near the art gallery across the street to go to the bathroom, however, the rest of the area is quite open which provides an escape from the crowds which you’ll be met with immediately outside the hotel.
• Slippery tile floor in the lobby can be challenging for some pets who are a little nervous.
• Weight restriction of 25lbs.
• $50/night pet fee. (Yikes, this is the most expensive pet fee I’ve encountered!).

Lets Paws and Reflect

Bringing dogs to a city center hotel can certainly be challenging, especially when there isn’t a good place to take them outside, and you’re having to fight crowds of people to do it. And if you have bigger dogs (like Trevor and Stacy), you’ll have to be aware of weight restrictions, and make sure they have an opportunity to get plenty of exercise so they’ll settle into the hotel room without issue.

Our favourite is still the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, despite the $25/night pet fee. Our dogs seem the most relaxed here, which I can only attribute to the endless plane watching through the big windows!

However, if you’re looking to be in the city center, consider the Four Seasons where there are no pet fees, no weight restrictions, and plenty of amenities.

Needless to say, $50/night is quite steep for your pet to stay at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, especially since the Four Seasons right next door doesn’t charge fees or have weight restrictions.

The best dog-friendly city hotel goes to the Fairmont Pacific Rim, where every dog and owner can walk out the door and enjoy miles and miles of jogging through Stanley Park, taking in the truly west-coast sights and sounds.