One&Only Palmilla
Los Cabos, Mexico
Most pet owners don’t realize that Mexico has some of the most pet-friendly resorts on the entire continent, and it’s easy to take pooches across the border (you just need a note from your vet indicating she’s in good health, that’s it!). Luxury resorts in Los Cabos like to spoil pets, and One&Only Palmilla is a fairytale setting for pet-friendly resorts. The five-star, über-luxurious property woos the A-list and their pets, and guests like Lisa Vanderpump have all flown in with their precious pups. For arriving guests, One&Only Palmilla’s pet-friendly services start at the airport. Upon pickup, pets are greeted with snacks and water and a posh bed in the private transfer. Once guests arrive at the resort, a photo is taken of the pet so guests can use it for the “doggie passport” that the pet will receive. My pup was thrilled with the spacious room but also the number of treats and toys she received, not to mention a pet dining menu and Doggie Turn Down. The resort also provides dog- gie umbrellas for pets chilling out at the pool, doggie life preservers for those who want to hit the sea, and even doggie cabanas for the resort’s beach (it’s one of few swimmable beaches in Cabo). Because Ruby is well behaved and super-cute, One&Only signature butlers were virtually fighting to walk the dog any time of day (for hours on end if needed), and 24-hour pet-sitting services are also available. One&Only Palmilla, Carretera Transpeninsular KM 7.5, Centro, Tel: 52-624-146-7000. www.palmilla.oneandonlyresorts.com
Monaco Alexandria
The Pines Lodge
A RockResort
Beaver Creek, Colorado
Colorado is one of the pet-friendliest states in the country, where pet owners traverse urban streets, sprawling parks, and rolling mountains with their pooches. Travelers are constantly tempted to bring their pets on their Colorado journeys considering the wealth of pet-friendly accommodations and outdoor adventures. Throughout the year, from snowy winters to gorgeous summers, The Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek makes every effort for pets to have memorable visits. In fact, the mountain retreat created a Pines Pup Bucket List that includes a wealth of
unique activities for furry guests, in and out of the hotel. Pets immerse in a significant, paws-friendly vacation personally tailored to them with activities that include hiking dog-friendly trails with GoPro rentals (with harness for a dog), dog spa treatments including massages, “yappy” hour at nearby restaurants, pup pillow service, and in-room pet din- ing. The Pines Lodge, 141 Scott Hill Road, Tel: 970-429-5043. www.pineslodge.rockresort.com
Fairmont Miramar
Hotel & Bungalows
Santa Monica, California
Traveling to Los Angeles without your pet is like visiting Wally World without the kids. LA is a dream destination for dogs, chockfull of parks, dog beaches, pet boutiques, pet hotels, and pet-friendly restaurants. Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is quick to please overnight, tail-wagging guests. Unlike most pet-friendly hotels in LA, pets here stay for free. The location, however, is something to truly brag about. Fairmont Miramar is mere steps from Palisades Park, which is teeming with dog walkers, as well as the boardwalk of Santa Monica beaches. While the hotel provides beach cruisers, I rented a bike at the nearby Izip store where Ruby fit comfortably in the basket, face in the wind as we rolled through the gorgeous landscape. Myriad outdoor activities are available for pets, though Ruby felt right at home at Fairmont Miramar. Not only does this storied, AAA-Four Diamond hotel offer a glittery Ocean Tower with magnificent ocean views with outdoor patios, it’s home to 32 garden bungalows where pooches can sprawl out in green grass under that trademark California sun. Pets receive the works (bowl, treats, doggie bed) and also have access to Healthy Spot, a dog grooming center at close hand, for massages, facials, and even dog sitting. Fairmont Santa Monica, 101 Wilshire Boulevard, Tel: 310-576-7777. www.fairmont.com/santa-monica
JImmy Im, Ruby, DJ Shane Young at Four Seasons Punta Mita
Four Seasons Punta Mita
Punta Mita, Mexico
As soon as Ruby arrived at Four Seasons Punta Mita, a bevy of staff were waiting for her arrival in the lobby, greeting her with a dog bowl
and treats. It’s just a typical day for a pet at this five-star getaway in the posh resort community of Punta Mita. Pets have all the terrain they could ask for: sprawling beach, perfectly manicured lawns, and a little bit of rainforest. Even indoors, pets get spoiled with dog beds, toys, treats, and their own pet station in the room with alphabet letters spelling out their name. What makes a stay exceptional for pets is that the staff is eager to have them and treat them like any other guests. Pets can seriously have deep memories here. Activities include everything a human might do: dog mani-pedis, yoga, standup paddle boarding, and surfing lessons. Thanks to our culture of instant gratification, on-demand dog walking and sitting is available, and a terrific in-room dining pet menu includes peanut butter cupcakes and seared angus meatloaf. Four Seasons Punta Mita, Mexico, Tel: 52- 329-291-6000. www.fourseasons.com/puntamita
The Chateau at Lake La Quinta
Palm Springs, California
For decades, The Greater Palm Springs area has been thriving with a strong pet culture. Dogs howl for the abundant walking trails and sprawling lawns, not to mention the number of restaurant and café patios that accept them. Ace Hotel has been at the forefront of pet- friendly hotels (it has an in-house dog park where dogs can roam freely at the pool), though more hotels are increasingly allowing pets. A resort that recently gave the green light for pooches is The Chateau at Lake La Quinta, and it’s about time. This quiet resort in La Quinta has the perfect set up for pooches with rolling lawns, intimate suites with patio and a lovely lake to amp the scenic views. Its recent $3.5 million renovation launched L’ Petit Pup, a pet program that allows four-legged guests under 25 pounds. Pets rejoice over the Martha Stewart pet bed, all-natural treats from Ry’s Ruffery (as seen on ABC’s Shark Tank), a Nyla bone, and fresh food from the pet menu created by Executive Chef Nestor Ruiz. Pets are welcome in common areas (like the pool) and are free to roam leash-free on the lakefront’s grassy patio, which is a rarity among top hotels in Palm Springs. The Chateau at Lake La Quinta, 78-120 Caleo Bay, Tel: 760-564-733. www.thechateaulakelaquinta.com
