Kimpton and Joie de Vivre, the leading boutique hotel players in Northern California, are also leaders of the pack when it comes to dog-friendly policies.
JDV dropped both weight limits and pet fees at 13 of its 35 properties in 2009, including seven in San Francisco, three in the East Bay and Marin County, and one in Silicon Valley. It also perked up in the amenities department to offer in-room dog beds, food, bowls and other amenities, along with lots of suggestions for folks paying the bill.
Kimpton Hotels, with 13 properties in Northern California, was the first full-service brand to go completely dog-friendly. Its HosPETality program makes available everything from beds to travel tags, doggie massage and gourmet cuisine. Lists of pet-friendly businesses are provided at check-in, and many properties have a four-legged “Director of Pet Relations” on site to welcome guests with a wet nose and wagging tail.
