The Most Pet-Friendly Hotels in Houston

The Hyatt couldn’t be much more centrally situated in Downtown Houston and is connected to the city’s Downtown Tunnels System, giving access to attractions via the more than 6mi (10km) of walkways 20ft (6m) below ground. Above ground, the hotel has a Dog Walk, a room on the sixth floor for canines and family to spend time, which offers dog treats, food, a dog bed and water bowls. Carry on in the elevator up to the 34th floor and you’ll be greeted by Spindletop, Houston’s only revolving restaurant, with wrap-around views of the city.

Aloft Houston trumpets the loft-like feel of its rooms, which have 9ft (2.7m) ceilings and large windows to let in plenty of Texas sunshine. Rooms also have an ergonomic workspace, useful if you’re in town for business and have an afternoon of Zoom calls. The hotel is located in the Uptown District close to Memorial Park, with 155 acres (63ha) of greenery and nature trails. Pets are welcome to a maximum of two per room at $75 each per day.

In the modern suburb of Memorial City to the west of Downtown Houston, Hotel ZaZa boasts some really funky themed rooms. The Magnificent Seven Suites include the Asian Beauty with red lacquer wet bar and the faux crocodile skin of the Breathless Suite, while among the Concept Suites is the New Orleans-inspired Big Easy. All rooms, including the regular guest rooms, have Egyptian cotton linens and robes. There is a dog park for your canines to enjoy, and at the Tipping Point Restaurant, they’d probably love the lamb lollipops – with feta, peppered honey drizzle and pistachio-mint pesto – but you should keep them for yourself.

This luxury hotel occupies the Downtown Samuel F Carter Skyscraper, once the headquarters of the bank, whose founder made it the tallest building in Texas when it opened in 1910. There’s the Spa by JW on the 11th floor or, if you can afford it, you can stay in a Spa Inspired King room, with an artisanal sculpted tub, spa lounger and mood lighting. You’ll pay a $125 non-refundable fee for your pet, which covers you however long your stay.

Hyatt House is right near the Galleria Mall in Uptown, the largest shopping center in Texas where you can ice skate or shop high-end department and electronics stores. The hotel’s morning spread breakfast is complimentary or you can treat yourself to something at the made-your-way omelette bar. All the suites are pet-friendly and have their own kitchen, which you can have stocked by the house host through the complimentary grocery shopping service. Houston Zoo, NRG Stadium – home of the Houston Texans – and the Museum District are all 15 minutes away by car.

Another authentic Downtown Houston hotel located in a former bank, Hotel Icon was once the headquarters of the Union National Bank of Houston and the original vault can still be seen in the lobby. Pets can stay for a small cleaning fee and the hotel is just a block from Market Square Park, which boasts one of the only dog parks in Downtown Houston. One of the palatial hospitality suites features an antique claw-foot tub, and the hand-battered Texas french toast at the Line & Lariat restaurant is a great way to start your day.

The Hotel Indigo, next to Houston Galleria, is another good option for mall rats. The social area by the lobby has a pub feel to it and Crossroads Bar & Bistro sells coffee from local artisan roasters Dodd Coffee. There’s a non-refundable fee of $75 for guests with pets, to a maximum of two, weighing up to 100lb (47kg) each, per room. Waterwall Park two blocks away is a six-story wall of water shaped like a horseshoe and a popular spot for Houston natives to declare their love.

The name of this boutique hotel plays on the Derrick structure used to support oil rigs across Texas. Houston’s oil-industry heritage is writ large in the vivid textiles and black granite floors of the lobby. The spirit of the Lone Star State’s wildcatters is also invoked in Arthur Meyerson’s photography, which features across the communal areas. In the evening, the AM coffee bar becomes pop-up bar Tap & Pour, serving a selection of more than 20 Texan craft beers on rotation. Pet-friendly rooms are available and the hotel even has a pet floor where dogs can roam.

This modern hotel is part of the Galleria Mall and the rooms and suites feature patented Westin Heavenly Beds for crashing out after you’ve shopped yourself to a standstill. Adjacent to the hotel, the Daily Grill serves authentic Texan fare – try the blackberry pork chop with 14oz double cut and Washington blackberry sauce served with a choice of two sides. Up to two pets are allowed per room and dogs up to 50lb (23kg) are welcome provided they’re kept in a carrier or on a leash. There’s an outdoor pool and the Westin Workout Fitness Studio, which includes free weights and Peloton bikes.

This Hilton is located right in the Downtown Financial District and is within walking distance of Sam Houston Park, Houston City Hall and The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, among other landmarks. There are 14 corner guest rooms with Peloton bikes for a workout with a view. The hotel is named after the Mother of Houston, Charlotte Baldwin, who financed the founding of the city in 1836 using her inheritance. Nowadays, C Baldwin has amenities its 19th-century pioneer namesake would not have been familiar with, such as the luxury nail salon Paloma, and boutique store Sloan/Hall.

This large and well-equipped hotel in Uptown, just across the freeway from Memorial Park, has undergone a $30 million renovation and the money has clearly been well spent. There are two outdoor pools surrounded by grass and trees, by which you can rent luxury cabanas or gather round the firepit for a drink in the evenings. The Mokara Spa has a relaxation lounge, salon and eight treatment rooms. If high-end whiskey is your thing, be sure to hit the LA Reserve Whisky Lounge for a tipple, after which you’re guaranteed a good night at the Black Swan Nightclub.