Thanksgiving and Christmas are the busiest travel holidays of the year. This is no surprise, but a statistic that is changing is how many people travel with their pets. The percentage has drastically increased in the last decade. With that being said, up next in our 12 Days of Holiday Planning for Pet Parents blog series is holiday pet travel tips. Whether you’re bringing your dog to visit family or you have to leave them at a dog boarding facility, I have some useful tips and advice for you!
Our Stay at the Pet-Friendly Amara Resort & Spa in Sedona, AZ
Last week I lost my job. Crappy, right?! Meh, not really. Lack of training sure does make a job difficult! I almost have a sense of relief, and now I can focus on my blog again! I’m going to enjoy my time by going on more adventures with Wynston. To celebrate life, I decided to head up north to Sedona, AZ for a couple days to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. On the IHG website (I always stay at IHG hotels) I found the Kimpton Amara Resort & Spa in Sedona. What got me was their pet policy: “At every Kimpton boutique hotel, we invite you to bring your furry, feathery or scaly family member — no matter their size, weight, or breed, all at no extra charge. If your pet fits through the door, we’ll welcome them in.” Incredible, right?! I booked a room and started on our 2.5 hour drive a couple days later. Well, let me tell you – the resort did not disappoint. In fact, I received the best service EVER, and I travel a lot…
We Made it to Sunny San Angelo!
Smooth flights, rude American Airlines employees and a luggage issue later (surprise, surprise) we made it to Texas! Ultimately I’m glad we didn’t have any delayed or cancelled flights – aside from our first flight being initially cancelled and rescheduled. Wynston was the most incredible travel companion, of course, but there are some things I would have changed about our overall experience. The best part of our journey was keeping a tally of all the people who mentioned how great/cute/well-behaved Wynston is. And yes, I literally kept a tally.
Now let’s start with the less-than-pleasant employees…
The Dog-Friendly Staybridge Suites in Irving, TX!
I have a newfound love for IHG Hotels. The dog-friendliness and superior customer service of the hotel chain have shamelessly turned me into one of those “I will only stay at these hotels” people. Throw in a full kitchenette and you have completely won me over. My last stay at an IHG hotel was when Wynston and I visited El Paso, TX in early September. I fell in love with Candlewood Suites and everything they had to offer. It was after that trip that I decided I wanted to continue exploring the country by way of IHG, which brought Wynston and I to Irving, TX to check out Staybridge Suites.
