Pet-Friendly Hotels in Pensacola, Florida

The dog days of summer seem to last all year in the Florida sun. Thankfully, Mainstay Suites will keep you and your canine cool. There’s no shame in spending all day floating around the pool while your doberman curls up in your king suite. If you think you two can beat the heat, shoot down the I-10 to Lonnie G. Jones Dog Park for a bit of fun in the sun.

Right across from the terminal, Hyatt Place is super convenient for quick fly-bys to Pensacola. A high-floor king suite gives you room to stretch out and a separate cozy corner for your border collie. Not only is the Roger Scott Dog Park a block away, but you’re also within a 10-minute drive of the Bayview Dog Beach, where you can both cool off in the water.

Close to the highway yet within a leash-length of downtown Pensacola, At Home Inn & Suites is dedicated to keeping your tail wagging every moment of your stay. There’s a barbecue grill and picnic area perfect for spoiling your pooch with lunch in the sun. Want to head to a people-only destination the next day? Let Spot run wild at Camp Bow Wow while you spend the day on Pensacola Beach.

Go ahead and loosen up your pup’s collar at Clarion Inn. Its laid-back hotel rooms invite you to kick back and rest up together, while the Waffle House next door makes it effortless to grab a meal any time of the day. When Lassie is all rested, brew up a cup of coffee, snag a complimentary Grab ’n‘ Go breakfast and head down to Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park for some scent trailing through a wet prairie.

Jet over to the National Naval Aviation Museum with ease when you book a room at the Red Roof Inn & Suites. This pet-friendly hotel is also budget-friendly, to keep both your dog and your spending on a secure leash. When you want to give Fido a little room to run, spend the evening by the flat waters of the Bayou, or take the 1mi (1.6km) walk down to the Bark Park Dog Park at Lexington Park.

Pensacola Beach is all about fun – and this hotel knows it. Rooms are supremely unserious, decked out in suntan lotion-bottle shades of teal and blue, with full-size surfboards affixed to the walls. There’s a microwave and mini-fridge in each room – for keeping doggy bags of leftover food fresh – and pups will love the fully dog-accessible private beach out back. Feeling adventurous? Borrow one of the hotel’s paddleboards or kayaks, and help Rex find his sea legs.

Looking to fly – or drive – and flop? Then this branch of Hilton’s breezy, bubble gum-bright Home2 Suites brand, just off the interstate and less than 10 minutes from the airport, is a winner. As well as a smart gym and decent-sized outdoor pool, there are gas barbecues for guests to use (yes, Fido would love a bit of sausage), a romantic, bulb-festooned outdoor seating area and laundry facilities (in case the dog bed needs a refresh).

It’s another inland pad, but what this Marriott TownPlace Suites lacks in proximity to the beach (a 25-minute drive away), it makes up for with warm, homey decor, generously sized suites and the convenience of being close to the airport. Arrive late, or need a bite to eat in a pinch? Pop down to the appropriately named In a Pinch Market – for ice cream, microwave meals and even doggie toys.