The Best Pet-Friendly Hotels In Florida USA

Why should a family vacation to Florida exclude your furry friends? There’s nothing like getting to know a new destination with an eager, energetic explorer straining at the leash. From the sandy beaches of Sanibel Island to city neighborhoods in Orlando, there’s plenty to explore and these pet-friendly hotels in Florida will welcome you and your pet with open arms.

1. Tropical Winds Motel & Cottages

Hotel

A white beach cottage at Tropical Winds Motel & Cottages with two blue chairs on a small deck

Man’s best friend will be wild about the white-sand beaches at Tropical Winds Motel & Cottages. An Old Florida retreat set on stunning Sanibel Island, it accepts two pets up to 65lbs (29kg) in its beach units and cottages set back from the water. Whether you want to jog up and down the shore or loosen the leash in the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, less than 5mi (8km) away, there is plenty of pristine Florida scenery around these parts to share with Fido.

2. Aloft Orlando Downtown

Hotel

Downtown Orlando may not sound like a hound-dog hangout, but with friendly neighborhoods and quaint parks, it’s a perfect place for domestic critters. Aloft Orlando Downtown is a pet-friendly hotel steps away from the sports venue Amway Center and the Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. When you’re not bar-hopping on Wall Street Plaza, you can take your pooch for a stroll around peaceful Lake Eola, or the laid-back Thornton Park neighborhood.

3. Southern Oaks Inn

Hotel

Driveway into red-roofed Southern Oaks Inn surrounded by palm trees, shrubs and blue and yellow flowers

Half a mile (0.8km) from historic downtown St Augustine, the Southern Oaks Inn is well-versed in providing creature comforts for you and your pet. Waking in your warm wood-lined room you’ll be in time for homemade country breakfasts. Board the free shuttle into town while your roommate runs laps in the large fenced-in dog park. You may only bring two dogs per room, but there are zero restrictions on height, weight, or breed.

5. Marina Del Mar Resort and Marina

Hotel

Sandy, palm tree-shaded outdoor area facing the marina at Marina Del Mar Resort with wooden tables and plastic chairs

With its box-fresh, jauntily dressed suites and its mirror-still marina setting, this is the home-from-home we all dream of. And dogs (two) up to 30lbs (14kg) each are welcome here, too. You can get into fishing, diving, and snorkeling, but if you’d rather not leave anyone out, charter a boat for you and your pup, and set forth on the water for an afternoon in the sun. Just be back for calamari and a chilled sunset white at the marina’s poolside tiki bar.

6. The Don CeSar

Hotel, Luxury

White and blue sun beds on a sandy beach, with the imposing pink exterior of the Don CeSar behind

Canines can enjoy la vie en rose at the legendary Pink Palace of St Pete Beach: officially the Don CeSar. Opened in the late 1920s – the Great Gatsby era – it’s still a timeless collection of super-comfortable rooms and beach-house suites for dog-tired guests of every shape. Sink your teeth into a Gulf-fish sandwich with sangria poolside at the Beachcomber Bar & Grill. And don’t let your pet deter you from a long spa session – after all, that’s the tail wagging the dog.

7. Waterside Inn on the Beach

Hotel

A wooden balcony at Waterside Inn on the Beach with views of palm trees, colourful beach cottages and their pools

Palms, blossoms and sugar-sand beaches to scamper free on: simple boutique resort Waterside Inn on the Beach, on Sanibel Island, is a slice of paradise for pooches – and cats. Hole up in one of the Gulf-front cottages, with bentwood chairs and tropical colors. Relax, then rise early to sniff out seashells on the beach, as the calm Gulf waters lap the shore. This is a quiet spot for souls in need of a reboot. Swim, sleep and generally press “paws” on life.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.