Public Access: Emotional Support Laws Don’t Apply to Hotels
Service animals have a right to public access, meaning that most hotels will accommodate them.
This does not hold up for therapy animals and, unfortunately, an ESA’s legal rights end at flying and renting accommodation. They do not have a legal right to public access. As hotels are public places, a hotel is not legally obligated to allow any types of animals to stay with them.
Read this: ESAs and the Air Carrier Access Act
The Air Carrier Access Act allows travelers to fly with their ESAs without paying pet fees. Read this if you are looking for an ESA Travel Letter.
Read this: ESAs and the Fair Housing Act
The FHA allows tenants with mental or emotional disabilities to request a reasonable accommodation for their Emotional Support Animals. Read if you are looking for a housing letter.
Are Service Animals Allowed in All Hotels Near Me?
In short: Yes. Not only are service animals allowed in hotels, but they are also welcome in the public areas of hotels, and do not have to pay any additional pet fees.
If the Hotel Says No Pets, It is Not an Emotional Support Animal Hotel!
Any place that is pet-friendly, will allow you to bring your ESA. Luckily, there are many hotels and hotel chains that accept pets as guests. The same goes for any pet-friendly restaurants, bars, parks or beaches!
ESA owners can always state their case (politely) to a hotel with a no pets policy, and ask whether they may bring their furry friend along! It will of course help if you present them with a (legitimate) emotional support animal letter!
The ESA Application process at CertaPet starts with a fast, free screening test that you can take right now. It takes only 5 minutes and shows if you may qualify for an ESA right away.
Attitude is Everything for Dog Friendly Hotel Chains!
Luckily not every hotel closes its doors to beloved pets or ESAs who want to enjoy their “vacay” as a family.
These establishments do not only “accept” or “allow” your furry friend, but they have ESA hotel laws in place that make everyone feel welcome.
4 Things Hotels That Take Dogs Have in Common
- Pet Swag: As part of their pet and ESA hotel laws, they provide Fido or Mittens with everything from food and water bowls, to toys, treats and pet beds.
- A Doggy Menu: That’s right. There is a menu for dogs that has everything from specific dog food brands to cooked meals like beef stew!
- Access: Pet-friendly hotels often grant pets and ESAs access to their grounds. Some grounds include parks and walks, and even pools and beaches!
- Luxury: Some ESA hotel laws even include luxuries like plush towels, dog walking services, and pupsicles!
A pet-friendly accommodation with wonderful ESA hotel laws in place is just a quick Google or Facebook search away! We’ll help to get you started!
La Quinta Pet Policy
This chain welcomes any domesticated animals. They only allow 2 pets per room, and some of their establishments have a weight limit on pets, so just phone ahead before you make your reservation.
Red Roof Inn Pet Policy
These guys LOVE animals. They love pets so much that they don’t even charge an additional pet fee!
Holiday Inn Pet Policy (Including Holiday Inn Express Pet Policy)
Their pet policy varies from one branch to the next. It’s best to call the branch you plan on visiting and asking what their ESA hotel laws are!
Hampton Inn Pet Policy
These Inns have the same approach as Holiday Inns. Their pet fees and weight limitations vary a lot.
Super 8 Pet Policy
Only 8 branches will allow your assistance animal, so double check with them whether you can bring Fido along!
Marriott Pet Policy
Only certain branches are pet-friendly hotels and allow support animals and pets. They also have very particular pet fees and weight or size limitations.
Quality Pet Policy
They allow 2 pets per room and are not fussed with size restrictions. You will have to pay a (small) pet fee though!
Comfort Inn Pet Policy
The branches of Comfort Inn that do allow pets, really love pets, and have loads of ways to make Fido’s stay fun and comfortable.
Are There Hotels That Accept Cats?
There is a long list of cat-friendly hotels. They all have different ESA hotel laws, so be sure to call ahead and ask!
Remember: Hotels That Accept Pets will Accept Your ESA!
If it’s pet-friendly, it’s ESA friendly! You still have to abide by the ESA hotel laws though. Just because your animal is an ESA, that doesn’t mean they’ll get any “special treatment”.
Just Make Sure Fido Has Good Manners!
A well behaved ESA dog is a welcome dog. Although ESAs do not HAVE to be trained, that doesn’t mean they should be UNTRAINED. A little bit of obedience training can go a long way!
Understanding the Difference Between Pets and Emotional Support Animals
With so many support animals out and about, the general public often confuses these dogs with other assistance animals such as service animals or psychiatric service animals.
It is incredibly important for everyone, including every ESA support dog owner, to know the differences between these animals and the legal protection the different types of assistance animals have.
The Difference Between a Service Dog, an Emotional Support Dog, and a Psychiatric Service Dog
Assistance animals that help individuals with disabilities fall under three broad categories. These are:
Service Animals
Service dogs (or the occasional miniature horses) are animals that have received intensive training to perform specific tasks for people with a range of (mostly physiological) disabilities. A common example of a service dog is a seeing-eye dog that assists a visually impaired person. Another example is a guide dog for someone with auditory impairments.
Service animals have a legal right to public access and public accommodation. This means that they are allowed to accompany their owner in most places where the general public is allowed.
Psychiatric Service Dogs
These dogs have the same legal protection as service animals. They also undergo intensive training to help people with disabilities. Examples of people who these dogs help are people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), manic depression or panic attacks. Remember, a disabled person might not be in a wheelchair. Their mental health is the problem, and you can’t always see it.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional support animals do not legally have to be trained in any way. Their sole purpose is to bring comfort and companionship to people suffering from mental illness or mood disorders. Dogs and cats are naturals at making people feel calm and loved, hence the “no training required”.
This type of assistance animal can help someone with a mental disability have a better quality of life.
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