Hi, this is Jess. Looking for tips on booking pet-friendly hotels?
We just made our first road trip from San Diego to Laughlin, Nevada with Tutú (our Shih Tzu) over Thanksgiving 2025, staying at Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino.
My mom thought she had it all figured out when she booked online – but we almost lost our room because she missed one critical detail.
Here are 6 lessons we learned our first pet-friendly hotel experience so you don’t repeat them.
1. You Can’t Just Click ‘Book Now’ – Here’s Why
When my mom booked our stay at the Golden Nugget in Laughlin, the website let her reserve a room online without a problem.
She assumed we were all set, but she missed a crucial detail in the fine print: if you’re bringing a dog, you can’t actually book online—you have to call.
My parents didn’t catch it, but on the drive, my sister and I were reading through the site and spotted the mistake.
I immediately called from the car, and they confirmed that for their hotel, you must call to secure a pet-friendly room rather than booking online.
We got lucky—they had exactly one pet room left.
Crisis averted, but barely.
Here’s the thing: not all pet-friendly hotels work this way.
Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, for example, does let you book pet rooms online, but you need to note your pet’s details in the comments section when reserving.
The point is, don’t assume the standard online process includes your pet. Always verify the specific requirements, whether that means calling ahead or carefully reading the fine print.
A few minutes of double-checking could save you from showing up without a room for your furry friend.
2. Pet Fees Can Cost More Than Your Room – Do the Math First
When I called the Golden Nugget Hotel from the car, a nice receptionist named Samantha explained their pet room options: $75 per night for a room without a patio, or $85 if we wanted a patio.
We got lucky—they had one pet room left without a patio.
Side note: All pet rooms at the Golden Nugget are conveniently located on the first floor, yay!
But here’s where it got real. This $75 per night was just the pet fee—separate from the regular room cost for the adults.
As I repeated Samantha’s breakdown to my mom, I watched her face change: $75 x 4 nights = $300 just for Tutú’s accommodation.
I could hear my mom whispering on the side of the phone as I kept talking saying: “Why don’t we just hide Tutú? They’ll never know we have a dog!”
My sister had to remind her we were staying 4 nights and 5 days—not exactly a realistic plan with all the coming and going, especially with a Shih Tzu.
(My sister Jeanette later backed me up in the lobby during check-in—I walked Tutú outside while they checked in.
When Mom complained about the cost again, Jeanette reminded her this is standard for pet-friendly hotels and we were lucky to get the last pet room!)
The lesson?
Always ask about pet fees upfront and do the math before you fall in love with a hotel. Pet-friendly hotels might cost you more than you ever budgeted.
3. Expect a Pet Deposit on Top of Everything Else
Just when I thought we had the full cost figured out, I needed clarification.
“Just to understand correctly,” I asked Samantha while my brother drove, “on top of the $300 in pet fees, we also have a $100 pet deposit?“
“That’s correct,” she confirmed.
I glanced at my mom. Her eyes got wider. Then her whole face froze – like she’d just witnessed a scary scene and couldn’t move. My dad looked shocked too, but not like that.
I could feel my frustration building. My sister Jeanette just rolled her eyes at my mom’s expression giving me thumbs up to keep going.
I kept ignoring my mom’s dramatics and stayed professional on the phone. This is what it costs to travel with a pet. I knew what we were getting ourselves into – unlike my mom, apparently.
This $100 deposit wasn’t included in the nightly pet room fee – it was charged separately at check-in.
The good news? Golden Nugget’s deposit is refundable, assuming your dog doesn’t damage anything.
Spoiler: Tutú was a perfect guest – though my parents never want to travel with him ever again due to the hard work of traveling with dog! 😔
But here’s what caught me off guard: That $100 hit our credit card immediately at check-in – not at checkout.
So if you’re budgeting for a pet-friendly trip, factor this into your upfront costs, not your checkout costs.
The lesson? When calling to book, ask about the pet deposit specifically:
- How much is it?
- When is it charged?
- What could cause you to lose it?
- How long until it’s refunded after checkout?
Don’t assume “pet fee” includes everything. It usually doesn’t.
4. We Weren’t Crate Trained—and It Limited Our Entire Trip
We arrived at the Golden Nugget around 10:00 PM, utterly exhausted.
My sister and mom handled check-in while I walked Tutú to relieve him after the final two-hour leg of our drive.
That’s when the “mandatory policy” text arrived from my sister: Dogs must be crated when left alone in the room.
It was a non-negotiable rule for housekeeping safety and to prevent property damage.
My heart sank.
We didn’t have a crate, and Tutú had never been crate trained!
We could have technically lied and left him alone anyway, but I wouldn’t risk it.
Between the chance of housekeeping walking in and the fear of Tutú destroying the room out of anxiety, we chose the hard way: someone stayed with him at all times.
For five days, we were never truly together as a family. When they went to restaurants, I walk him around the area or sit with him in the car.
When they saw The Running Man at the theater, I stayed behind and walked him around the hotel property.
Even on road day trips to Oatman and Las Vegas, I mostly stayed behind walking him around the parking lots while everyone else explored.
We learned the hard way through this experience, but we’ve since realized that this rule is common across most pet-friendly hotels.
Don’t let a lack of preparation limit your freedom—the effort you put into training now is what allows you to actually enjoy your vacation later.
5. Bring Vaccine Records – Even If They Don’t Check
When I spoke with the hotel agent, Samantha, she emphasized that we needed proof of Tutú’s latest vaccinations. Most hotels require this to ensure all four-legged guests are healthy and up to date.
My mom, of course, didn’t pack them (shocking, I know! 😂).
Fortunately, I keep a dedicated “Tutú Folder” on my travel checklist. When we reached the front desk, my sister handed it over immediately.
The clerk barely glanced at the records, but having them saved us from a potential check-in disaster.
What they actually cared about was the paperwork. The registration forms were extensive, requiring us to:
- Acknowledge the mandatory crate policy.
- Provide emergency contact and registered vet information.
- Sign liability waivers for any room damage.
My sister took photos of everything she signed—a smart move in case of any disputes later.
My Advice: Don’t rely on a hotel being “relaxed.” While the Golden Nugget was casual about it, iconic pet-friendly hotels like the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego have much stricter verification processes.
It is always better to have the records and not need them than to be scrambling to find them during check-in.
What to Bring:
- Rabies vaccine (most important – often legally required)
- Bordetella (kennel cough) – some hotels require this
- DHPP vaccine (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza)
- Any medications your dog is on
- Vet contact information
Keep them in a folder or take photos on your phone for easy access.
6. Not All Dogs Are Welcome – Check Weight and Breed Restrictions
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that “pet-friendly” is a broad term. Every hotel has its own “fine print” regarding weight and breed. For our stay at the
Golden Nugget Laughlin, the rules were clear:
- Weight Limit: 55 pounds or less per dog.
- Pet Limit: Maximum 2 dogs per room.
- Species: Dogs only—no cats allowed.
Other hotels are even stricter. For example, the iconic
Hotel del Coronado in San Diego has a 40-pound weight limit and specifically restricts breeds like Pit Bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and Chows.
Interestingly, unlike the Golden Nugget, they do allow cats.
Why the restrictions? Usually, it comes down to insurance liability, room size, or noise management. It might not feel fair, but it’s their policy.
If you have a large dog or a restricted breed, try these steps:
- Call the hotel directly. Don’t just check the website. Speak to a manager and ask if they offer exceptions for well-trained dogs.
- Bring “Credentials.” Show proof of a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification or a temperament letter from your vet.
- Consider Rentals. If hotels aren’t biting, Airbnb or VRBO filters often help you find homes with large fenced yards and no breed bans.
The Lesson: Never assume. Always ask: “Do you have any specific breed or weight restrictions for the dates of my stay?”
Bottom Line After Our First Pet-Friendly Hotel Experience:
Booking pet-friendly hotels requires more planning than we expected.
Between the phone-only booking, surprise deposits, crate requirements, and breed restrictions, we learned these lessons the expensive and stressful way on our San Diego to Laughlin trip.
The good news? Now you know what to ask before booking.
And honestly? Despite the $400 in pet fees and missing Vegas because we weren’t crate trained, having Tutú with us for Thanksgiving was worth it.
Who this guide is perfect for: First-time pet-friendly hotel bookers who want to avoid our mistakes
Who should skip it: Experienced pet travelers (you probably know this already!)
We’re already planning our next trip – this time with a crate-trained Tutú but my sister and I are exploring our next adventure to Big Sur without our parents! 😉
