Pet-Friendly Hotels That Really Deck the Halls for Christmas

Posted by Erin Ballinger

Deck the halls with bones and holly! These dog-friendly resorts extend a special holiday welcome to you and your furry elf, with over-the-top decorations that include everything from magical light shows and visits with Santa to ice skating and enormous Christmas trees. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of a pet-friendly stay that is sure to bring joy to your and Fido’s world.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort

Scottsdale, AZ
Canine ambassador Bixby welcomes guests in the festive lobby. Photo by @fairmontscotsdl

Christmas in the desert may not be the first thing you think of when you picture the holidays. However, once you visit the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort with your dog, you’ll never forget the experience. The hotel sparkles with 4-6 million LED twinkle lights in palm trees and a four-story Christmas tree with light shows set to carols and songs.

#ChristmasatthePrincess also goes all out with an ice-skating rink, photos at Santa’s Secret Workshop, and The Village, complete with an Alpine Skate Trail carousel, Ferris wheel, and campfire for roasting marshmallows. Enjoy holiday dining specials on the patio with your pup at the on-site restaurants, La Hacienda and Ironwood American Kitchen. At the end of the day, Fido can dream of sugar plums in his Posh Paws dog bed.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess welcomes two pets for an additional fee of $50 per pet, per night, plus $150 per stay.

Topnotch Resort

Stowe, VT
Photo by Facebook.com/TopnotchResort

Kick off the holiday season the right way by picking out the family Christmas tree with Topnotch Resort. The O’ Christmas Tree Package includes the perfect fresh, organically grown tree, wrapped, packaged and tied to your car roof, luxury overnight accommodations, and a holiday ornament from Paine's Tree Farm. Topnotch also hosts Christmas dinner at the on-site pet-friendly restaurant, The Roost, where outdoor tables around fire pits overlook snow-capped mountains. Dogs are welcome anywhere in the resort on the first floor, plus the entire grounds. Four-legged guests also receive bowls and beds at check-in.

Topnotch Resort allows two dogs of any size for an additional fee of $100 per night.

The Resort at Paws Up

Greenough, MT
Dashing through the snow! Photo by Resort at Paws Up

The Resort at Paws Up, a ruggedly luxurious retreat at a working cattle ranch in Montana, celebrates the holidays with classic festive style throughout December. Families can stay in a private lodge outfitted with a custom-decorated Christmas tree. Fido will get a personal welcome note from the owner’s dog, Coco, along with a doggy bed, bowls, a tennis ball and treats. All meals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are also included, plus freshly made treats are available on the pet-friendly room service menu. On Christmas Eve, chow down on a yuletide dinner prepared by Executive Chef Sunny Jin then receive a visit from Santa. Holiday activities include a gingerbread house making competition, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and even sleigh rides. Best of all, Fido is welcome to join you on hiking trails and most outdoor activities.

The Resort at Paws Up permits dogs of any size for an additional fee of $50 per pet, per night.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite

Fish Camp, CA
"And where's my hat?" Photo by @lifestyle_with_linds

With its stunning location at an elevation of 5,288 feet next to Yosemite National Park’s South Gate, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite provides a breathtaking setting for your holiday merriment. You and your dog can admire the biggest sustainably harvested fir tree in Central California in the lobby and can snowshoe in an evergreen forest outside. There is also complimentary hot chocolate in the lobby every day of December. Other holiday activities include an ornament decorating workshop, Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt, and breakfast with Santa. Fido is also welcome for Christmas dinner at the on-site restaurant.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite accepts two dogs up to 70 lbs for an additional fee of $100 every five nights, and three dogs up to 70 lbs for $125 every five nights.

Omni Grove Park Inn

Asheville, NC
Treat your pup to a joyous holiday in the mountains. Photo by @bonlove

At the dog-friendly Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC, thousands of twinkling lights and the warmth of two 36-foot majestic fireplaces create the perfect mountain setting for you and your pet to celebrate the holidays. Settle into one of the rocking chairs next to the Christmas tree and share holiday tales by the fire while your tail-wagger lounges at your feet. 80 illuminated trees and an array of holiday trimmings adorn the property. The resort's 30th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition contenders will be on display throughout the season and registered resort pets are welcome to check out the creations.

The Omni Grove Park Inn welcomes two dogs up to 60 pounds in Premium and Mountain View rooms for an additional fee of $250 per stay.

The Sagamore Resort

Bolton Landing, NY
Spend a white Christmas in the Adirondacks. Photo by @thesagamoreresort

Located on Lake George in the Adirondacks of upstate New York, The Sagamore Resort is adorned with boughs of holly and evergreen, bows, and sparkling lights for the holiday season. Spend Christmas at The Sagamore with your four-legged friend and he’ll be greeted with an Opal Paws gift bag full of useful goodies like dental stick treats and waste bags, as well as a mat and dog bowls for use during his stay. On Christmas Day, enjoy a holiday-themed dinner at the on-site restaurant.

The Sagamore Resort allows dogs up to 30 pounds for an additional fee of $75 per pet, per night.

The Cloister at Sea Island

Sea Island, GA
Spend the holidays in beautiful Sea Island. Photo by Facebook.com/seaisland

Bring Fido to The Cloister at Sea Island for holiday festivities all December long. From elf tuck-ins at night to live carolers, even the biggest Grinch will be in the spirit during Christmas at Sea Island. Let your dog don antlers and participate in the Sea Island Reindog Parade, where he may even win a prize! The resort hosts gingerbread house making classes, Christmas buffets, a Reindeer Dash Family Fun Run, and a family-style dinner on the 24th. Your pup won’t feel left out because you can order him a holiday meal from the doggy room service menu.

The Cloister at Sea Island permits two dogs up to 35 lbs for an additional fee of $175 per pet, per stay.

St. Regis Aspen Resort

Aspen, CO
Give yourself the gift of a pet-friendly holiday getaway. Photo by @kittythebernese

Have a jolly old time in the snow this holiday season at the St. Regis Aspen Resort. You and your pup may even be greeted by the hotel’s resident pooch, a Bernese Mountain Dog named Kitty who was delivered to the hotel by Santa in 2018. The dog-friendly resort hosts daily public Menorah lightings and has a 30-foot Christmas tree. Don't miss the daily Champagne Sabering & Kiddy Cocktails with Kitty, along with holiday fun like making gingerbread houses and s'mores in the evening. You can also participate in winter activities like skiing, ice skating, dog sledding and sleigh rides during your visit.

St. Regis Aspen Resort accepts two pets of any size for an additional fee of $100 per pet, per stay plus $25 per pet, per night.

Fairmont Banff Springs

Banff, AB
Oh what fun! Ride in Santa’s sleigh during Christmas at the Castle. Photo by @pursuingpretty

Located in Banff National Park and known as “Canada’s Castle in the Rockies,” the Fairmont Banff Springs is filled with holiday spirit during Christmas at the Castle. The pet-friendly resort is decorated with greenery, lights and a large Christmas tree. Fido can write letters to Santa, join you around a private campfire, and help in the outdoor candy cane search. Throughout December, Mrs. Claus hosts bedtime stories and a holiday crafts workshop, while Santa is available for private photo sessions for hotel guests.

Fairmont Banff Springs welcomes two pets of any size for an additional fee of 50 Canadian dollars per night.

Hotel del Coronado Curio Collection by Hilton

Coronado, CA
Photo by @lirathelagotto

Hotel del Coronado Curio Collection by Hilton in Coronado, CA turns into a beachfront winter wonderland throughout December. Thousands of twinkling lights, Christmas trees and garlands adorn the property and an ice rink surrounded by palm trees overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Every Saturday night of the season, leashed pups can join their humans for a holiday movie classic on the beach, or take a stroll through the “At First Light” Lightshow Spectacular which takes place nightly.

Hotel del Coronado Curio Collection by Hilton allows two dogs up to 40 lbs for an additional fee of $125 per stay (in Standard Rooms) and $200 per stay (in Suites or Beach Village rooms).

Which of these resorts would you bring Fido to this holiday season? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by Melissa Halliburton.