Most pet-friendly hotels are set up for a weekend; however, a month-long stay is a different requirement entirely.
51% of Americans consider their pets just as much family as any person in the household,¹ and with 53% of U.S. households now owning a dog,² the number of travelers who won’t book a trip without their pet has become a meaningful share of the extended stay market.³ The hotel industry is catching up slowly.
Today, the team behind Sonesta’s pet-friendly program, PAWs, will walk your through what an extended, pet-accompanied stay looks like, and give you the exact questions to ask before you book, the features that matter for a longer stay, and a packing list built for a month on the road.
Table of Contents
How to Evaluate a Hotel’s Pet Policy
The pet policy is the right place to start.
The questions our PAWS team recommends asking every time, before you commit to any property, include:
1. What animals are accepted beyond dogs?
Most hotels that advertise as pet-friendly accept dogs only.
Many Sonesta ES Suites and Simply Suites hotels also welcome cats and other small pets, making them a suitable option for guests traveling with animals other than dogs. Confirm the specific animal policy directly with the property before booking.
2. Are there breed restrictions?
Some pet-friendly properties enforce strict breed restrictions for dogs that are categorized as potentially aggressive, such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans. This will usually be highlighted in their pet policy section.
Many Sonesta extended stay properties do not enforce breed restrictions, which means one less thing to worry about before you book.
3. Is there a weight limit?
It is easier to accommodate smaller pets, specifically toy dog breeds, as many hotels have weight limits that may start at 35 or 50 lbs.
Sonesta ES Suites and Simply Suites mostly do not impose a standard weight restriction. Confirm with the specific property before booking, as individual locations may have variations.
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4. How many pets are allowed per room?
Policies on multiple animals vary significantly across properties and are not always clearly stated in listings. Guests traveling with more than one pet should confirm the per-room pet limit directly with the property before booking.
5. What is the total pet fee for a 30-day stay, and is a flat or monthly rate available?
Pet fees can add up quickly on a longer stay.
Sonesta Simply Suites’ pet fees for long-term stays are capped, which makes the total cost of traveling with a dog predictable from the moment you book. Always ask about flat or monthly fee structures before committing to a longer stay.
6. Are there any additional deposits or cleaning fees?
Some properties charge a refundable pet deposit and a cleaning fee on top of the nightly pet rate. Getting the full breakdown of pet-related charges at booking prevents unexpected costs at checkout. Ask specifically about deposits, cleaning fees, and whether any charges are non-refundable before confirming.
Most of these answers are available in a property’s pet policy page, booking FAQs, or onsite chatbot. If a question isn’t addressed there, particularly fee structures and breed policies, call the property directly before booking.
Once the policy checks out, the next step is making sure the property itself is actually set up for a month with your dog.
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4 Hotel Features to Look for When Traveling with a Pet
Planning a 30-day stay with a pet means choosing a hotel that works for both of you. A good rate and a convenient address are just the starting point. Here’s what to look for.
1. Location: Green Space, Walkability, and Nearby Veterinary Access
For a month-long stay with a dog, the neighborhood around your hotel becomes part of your daily routine. Green space, walking paths, and dog-friendly parks within easy reach are the baselines.
Sonesta ES Suites and Sonesta Simply Suites properties are mostly located in suburban and business corridor neighborhoods, which provides a contained, low-traffic space for daily outdoor time without leaving the property.
Many Sonesta ES Suites locations also have courtyard-style layouts, which makes a real difference when you need a safe, low-key spot for your dog to get some air without venturing too far.
Look for designated pet relief areas near the building and pay attention to the surface types around it. Grass and dirt paths are much easier on paws than concrete and gravel, especially over weeks of daily walks.
Check how close the nearest dog park is, and whether there are walking trails or green space within a reasonable distance.
Locate the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic before you arrive. A new environment, new routines, and the stress of travel can affect pets in unexpected ways.
If you have some flexibility on timing, spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions for extended stays with a dog. Temperatures are milder for nearly every breed, and extended stay rates tend to be lower before seasonal demand picks up.
Location checklist:
- Designated pet relief area on or near the property
- Green space and walking paths within easy distance
- Dog-friendly park nearby
- 24-hour emergency vet within 10 miles
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2. Room setup
According to Pew Research, 97% of pet owners say their pets positively impact their mental health. A room that doesn’t work for your dog pretty quickly stops working for you too.
If you have a larger or older dog, ask about ground floor room availability. Stairs and elevators can be a real challenge for dogs with mobility issues or anxiety, and it makes the daily in and out so much easier on both of you.
A spacious room layout matters more over 30 days than it does for a weekend because dogs need enough space to establish a routine. Unlike a one-night stay, weeks in a cramped space can lead to confinement stress, especially for larger or more active breeds.
One thing the PAWS team always reminds guests: the more you can replicate your dog’s routine at home, the faster they settle in. That means having a dedicated spot for their crate or bed from day one. A familiar sleep setup in a consistent corner of the room makes a bigger difference.
Look for suite-style layouts with a separate living area, or at minimum a studio with enough room for your dog to move around comfortably.
If your dog is on a fresh, raw, or prescription diet, kitchen access is a must. A full-sized fridge and freezer mean you can stock up for the whole stay without worrying about running out or compromising their diet. Sonesta ES and Simply Suites properties come equipped with a full kitchen, including a stovetop, microwave, and utensils, so you have everything you need to keep your pet routine intact.
Room checklist:
- Ground floor room available
- Enough space for your dog to move around comfortably
- Space for a crate or pet bed
- Separate living and sleeping areas
- Full kitchen with fridge
Extended stay hotels typically provide a calmer environment for your furry friend
3. The on-property environment
Extended stay properties tend to attract quieter, longer-term guests, and that calmer atmosphere makes a real difference for dogs that are sensitive to noise or foot traffic, especially during the first week of settling in.
For instance, a pool area with open outdoor space gives your dog more room to stretch out and enjoy some fresh air. Courtyards and grassy common areas are great for a quick game of fetch or a morning walk without having to leave the property.
Some extended stay properties also have laundry facilities on site is a practical advantage over a month-long stay.
Look for properties that have made a deliberate commitment to pet hospitality rather than simply allowing pets.
A dedicated pet program, like PAWS by Sonesta, signals that the property has thought through what a longer stay with a pet actually requires, rather than simply allowing them.
Environment checklist:
- Quiet, low-traffic surroundings
- Outdoor space, courtyard, or pool area
- On-site laundry facilities
- Dedicated pet program in place
Once you’ve found the right property, the last thing to sort out before you hit the road is what to pack, because 30 days with a dog requires a very different list than a weekend away.
4. Parking
Traveling with a dog almost always means a road trip. Free on-site parking is one of those things that’s easy to overlook when booking but adds up fast over 30 days, and having your car close by makes the whole loading and unloading routine with a dog a lot less stressful.
Parking checklist:
- Free on-site parking
- Quick access to the building entrance
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What to Pack for 30 Days with Your Dog
Packing for a month with your dog is a completely different exercise than throwing a leash and some treats in your bag for a weekend, and most pet travel guides skip it entirely.
What Sonesta’s PAWS program provides
At participating Sonesta properties, a few things are already taken care of for your dog before you arrive. Through the PAWS program, guests traveling with pets can expect to find in their room:
- A waterproof feeding mat
- Food and water bowls
- A waterproof pet bed
What to bring regardless
Even with those basics covered, a month on the road with a dog requires considerably more preparation than a weekend trip.
A recommended packing list for a 30-day stay:
The basics
- Leash
- Collar with current ID tags
- Waste bags
Food and health
- Dog’s regular food, enough for the full stay plus a few extra days
- Full medication supply plus extras
- Certificate of Veterinary Inspection
Comfort and settling in
- Crate or travel bed
- Unwashed t-shirt from familiar smell
- Treats, toys, and a snuffle mat for downtime
For the outdoors
- Booties or paw balm for hot or cold terrain
- Towel for muddy or wet adventures
Grooming
- Grooming supplies for a longer stay
A month on the road with a dog requires considerably more preparation than a weekend trip.
Extended Stay with Your Dog: Sonesta ES Suites and Simply Suites
Sonesta ES Suites and Simply Suites are built specifically for stays of a week or longer, with over 300 pet-welcoming locations across the U.S. Both brands are designed around the space, consistency, and daily functionality that a longer stay with a dog requires.
Sonesta ES Suites
Sonesta ES Suites properties include fully equipped kitchens, complimentary daily breakfast, free Wi-Fi, on-site fitness centers, shared laundry, and outdoor spaces including The Yard.
Pets are welcome with a disclosed nightly fee, and there are no breed restrictions across the portfolio.
Sonesta Simply Suites
Sonesta Simply Suites properties include fully equipped kitchens, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour gym access, shared laundry, and complimentary morning coffee.
For guests on longer stays, Sonesta Simply Suites offers a flat pet fee for stays of seven nights or more, making the total cost of traveling with a dog predictable from the moment you book.
Sonesta Travel Pass
Sonesta Travel Pass is free to join and gives members access to reduced nightly rates across the full Sonesta portfolio, including Sonesta ES Suites and Simply Suites properties.
Members earn 10 points per dollar on qualifying room revenue at Sonesta ES Suites and 5 points per dollar at Simply Suites.
For a traveler making multiple extended stays in a year, those points accumulate toward free nights at no additional cost.
Sign up before you book at sonesta.com to access member rates from the first night.
To book a stay built around your dog’s comfort as much as yours, book direct at sonesta.com or call 1.800.Sonesta.
References:
¹ Pew Research, 2023. ² APPA, 2026. ³ The Highland Group / STR, 2025.
Disclaimer: The suggested itinerary and points of interest are provided for informational and planning purposes only. Guests are encouraged to independently verify opening hours, availability, travel times, and any potential changes prior to visiting. The inclusion of any businesses, attractions, or destinations does not imply affiliation with or endorsement by Sonesta or its affiliates. Sonesta makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided and assumes no responsibility for any inconvenience or loss arising from the use of this information.
