Georgia’s largest city is a vibrant and eclectic place, home to approximately half a million welcoming inhabitants. This is the south, but perhaps not as you know it.

Along with stunning greenery, rich history and numerous temples to sport, there is also an edge, a culture, a progressiveness here that can be surprising to visitors given where Atlanta sits on the map. All in all, this is a place that everyone should check out at least once, and the good news for pet owners is that the city is ultra-welcoming to those who bring their furry friends along.

What considerations should a pet owner make when visiting Atlanta? Which of the city’s pet-friendly hotels are best? Read on to find out what Atlanta travelers consider when booking their trips, and where they aim.

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LITTLE HOTELIER TOP TIP : Attract more families to your hotel by updating your website and marketing images to include activities and smiling faces, while ensuring key amenities are listed on your homepage.

What is the best area to stay in Atlanta with pets?

Where is the best place for pets and their owners to stay in Atlanta? There are a few areas that stand out, including:

  • Downtown: Downtown is where most Atlanta action occurs. For pet owners, the gorgeous green spaces of Centennial Olympic Park, the hub of the 1996 Summer Olympics, is a great place to rest the day away.
  • Buckhead: This upscale suburb, found north of Downtown Atlanta, is where the city’s most hip, happening and wealthy residents hang out. And as often happens in affluent suburbs, a wealth of cafes, restaurants and galleries cater to the in crowd by being pet-friendly.
  • Cumberland: 10 miles northwest of Downtown Atlanta, Cumberland is found on the green banks of the Chattahoochee River. While the new and shiny skyscrapers tell a story of the area’s incredible growth as an economic hub, it is more famous for its woods and waterways, and is a fantastic place to visit with pets.

What are the best pet-friendly hotels in Atlanta?

Atlanta Midtown is best known for its culture and nightlife, but also for sprawling Piedmont Park which hosts many of the city’s biggest festivals. Canopy by Hilton Atlanta Midtown not only puts guests in prime position to enjoy the fun, it also offers a number of pet-friendly rooms ready to host dogs up to 75lb/34kg.

Another Midtown option is the opulent Loews Atlanta, a hotel that somehow belies its four-star rating. Modern, stylish and with all the amenities anyone could need, guests can bring their pets along for a small $75 fee!

As the website makes clear, “the Hotel Clermont loves friendly dogs!” This gorgeously appointed hotel, found east of downtown, allows guests to bring in two pets per room, and charges a flat fee of $75 per pet per stay.

LITTLE HOTELIER TOP TIP : Turn your guests into advocates – or better yet, ambassadors – by blending good old fashioned hospitality with modern technology. Reply to social media comments, keep track of and acknowledge repeat visits by using a property management platform with a mobile app included (such as Little Hotelier), and be sure to say “thank you!” – even if only over email. A personal touch still goes a long way.

Key considerations for guests when booking a pet-friendly hotel

The term ‘pet-friendly’ can mean different things to different airlines, hotels and local governments. Before a traveler leaves home they’ll be checking exactly what the rules are for each stage of their journey, particularly the hotel, by researching:

  • Terms and conditions: What does ‘pet-friendly’ mean to the hotel? Are there any restrictions on breed and size? Are pets restricted to certain suites and areas of the hotel? Do they need to be kept on a leash?
  • Fees: It’s rare to find a hotel that doesn’t charge some form of pet fee, though the way these fees are charged can vary: some hotels offer a flat rate, others charge on a per night basis. Guests must know how much the fees are, and how they’re charged.
  • Local area: Does the city have rules or restrictions on pets, such as where they can go and what they can do? Can green spaces, pet-friendly cafes, pet supply stores and vet clinics be found close by?

How to make it known your hotel accepts pets

Thanks to Google, it is now far easier for a hotel to declare itself pet-friendly, and to increase bookings on the back of it. With Google now more or less the gatekeeper of the internet, you need to ensure that the search engine knows you can host pets. 

Thankfully this is a simple matter of saying so on your website, ideally via a dedicated page. Google will note the presence of key terms like ‘pet-friendly’ and ‘dog-friendly’, then serve your hotel up via Google Maps and the Google search engine results page (SERP) when a pet owner is looking for somewhere to stay.

Ensure your pet policy is easy for website visitors to locate and understand. A page that clearly outlines rules and fees can save you time and confusion, and even increase bookings.

What is the best time of year to travel to Atlanta with a pet?

Atlanta oscillates from hot and humid in summer to quite chilly in winter. As such the best time to visit the city is in the transitional seasons of spring and autumn.

During these periods pets and owners are treated to the best of Atlanta’s stunning nature, whether in the form of spring blooms or a stunning autumnal palette. Rain, meanwhile, is perfectly consistent throughout the Atlanta year.

LITTLE HOTELIER TOP TIP : To get more bookings, test out fun promotions during your low season. Try offering significant discounts for a long-term stay, a free room upgrade, or a complimentary dinner on the first night.

We’re travelers too.

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By Dean Elphick

Dean is the Senior Content Marketing Specialist of Little Hotelier, the all-in-one software solution purpose-built to make the lives of small accommodation providers easier. Dean has made writing and creating content his passion for the entirety of his professional life, which includes more than six years at Little Hotelier. Through content, Dean aims to provide education, inspiration, assistance, and, ultimately, value for small accommodation businesses looking to improve the way they run their operations (and live their life).