My wife is allergic to pets. Even a cleaning does not change the fact she breaks out within 1 hr of being in the same room. I already can't stay at a Residence. I am running out of non pet Masrriott properties. I don't want to stay in a kennel. Please help

I attempted to make reservations for two nights at the Courtyard Marriot in Keene NH. Other hotels in the area charge a $25 fee for pets for the stay. Here I was told that the fee is $25 per pet per night. We usually travel with our two dogs and this would cost an additional $100 dollars. That's more than if I brought two children with me. What's up with that!

I recently went to Atlanta and took along my dogs. I had to stay somewhere other than a Marriott because of the exorbitant non-refundable fee. I stayed at the Homewood Suites because they did not charge a pet fee and I had 3 small dogs. It was clean and nice but not a Marriot! Seems as though you could have certain pet-friendly rooms set aside for pet lovers. I own a time share at Marriot and enjoy my time there but I cannot take my pets.

I see you are calling Residence Inns "pet friendly". What is pet friendly about a $100 fee? I have been a loyal Marriott customer for years and I now travel with a 5 (five) lb. Chorkie dog. In some cases, I would be paying more for this 5 lb. bundle of joy, than for myself.
She does not smell, she does not shed. I have total empathy for those allergic and understand the need to use separate rooms for animals. As has been mentioned, unruly children make more havoc and trouble than a well mannered dog. Of course some dogs cause damage and I understand those owners should be held accountable. By the way, do you charge people with children for their damage?
So I am forced to stay and real "pet friendly" hotels.
I agree with Melanie Murphy, do an inspection and make fee refundable.
In fact, if you get your marketing department on board you could be creative and cater to animals in one section of the hotel. You can certainly offer those rooms to non dog people if hotel is full. Not everyone without a dog is allergic.
Possibly put a few dog treats in those rooms, a dog bed that can be washed, etc.
I would try this in hotels along major routes. Perhaps 95 on the east coast. Lots of snowbirds travel with animals.
Well, until some changes are made, I will be staying at other hotels with my adorable companion.
Thank you for your consideration, Linda Mortensen

I'm looking at posts from 2 years ago -- and nothing seems to have changed with regard to exorbitant fees and limited availability with regard to pet-friendly Marriott properties. We are also big Marriott fans, as well as Marriott Rewards members, but have not been able to stay at any of your properties during any recent trips because we, too, travel with our pet -- a 10-pound well-behaved Miniature Pinscher. (I'd be willing to bet that our pet causes less damage and/or wear in any given hotel room than 90% of the children we encounter during our stays.)
PLEASE, if you can't lower or do away with your incredibly high (routinely $75-$100) pet fees, at least make them refundable, following an in-room inspection by housekeeping prior to check-out.
In closing, simply put: love your hotels...hate your pet policy.

I've noticed that not that many Mariotts allow pets. I know none of the ones in the Boston area do. I think that the Mariott hotels should become pet friendly, so people won't be forced to board their pet, or stay at another hotel operated by a different brand.

I understand love of a pet, but please be sure you're pet doesn't have pests that it leaves behind when you stay in a hotel room. I am currently covered in flea bites from staying in a Marriott room after a dog had been there. Love your pet, leave the fleas.

great blog entry about exercise and your pal Murphy, I liked it so much I blogged about it on my blog. Thanks Again for making Marriott pet friendly

Dear Bill, thanks for sharing this story about your dog. I, too, am a dog lover and have two wonderful cocker spaniels. Unfortunately, I have not found Marriott to be very pet-friendly. Very few of your hotels allow pets, and the ones that do...such as some Residence Inns and TownPlace Suites...usually charge $100 cleaning fee. That is crazy for a one night stay. In these tough economic times, surely Marriott could use the business of people like me. On a recent trip to Arizona, I stayed at a Drury Inn and a La Quinta because both of those chains allow pets for free in ALL of their locations. I would have rather stayed at Marriott. Likewise, I stayed at the Four Seasons Residence Club in Scottsdale rather than Marriott's Canyon Villas timeshare resort. Four Seasons allows pets. I know some people have allergies, but surely you could have some pet-friendly rooms set aside in both your hotels and timeshares for those who want to travel with their pets. This shouldn't be too hard...especially in your large resorts with multiple buildings such as Canyon Villas and Newport Coast Villas and even Summit Watch. You could have a pet friendly building or two. You are missing out on a growing segment of the market. Best wishes for the holiday and the new year.

We enjoyed reading about your dog Murphy. My husband too, because of a triple by pass at the age of 42, is on the tread mill 5 days a week at 3:30 AM before going to work! Heart issues will change your attitude toward exercise! Anyway, we have a mini doxie(Moses) in a wheel chair or cart, who always travels with us, and stays at the Marriott too. He walks in as if he owns the hotel, greeting everyone! It takes him about 10 seconds to realize the hotel has an elevator and then he slams on the breaks and refuses to go any farther. Of course, everyone laughs when we tell him he knows there is an elevator on the first floor and he hates elevators!! So we have to carry him till we reach our floor. He is very happy and relaxed in His room especially rooms with a fire place. Thank You for thinking of us pet owners. We love staying at the Marriott because of the quality and the Pet Friendly Staff. We wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Great New Year.
Jim, Pat, Moses(Wheelie Man)

We have owned a time share for six years and didn't know until we brought our small dog with us a couple of years ago that he would not be allowed to stay. We had to board him, and even tho' it was a great place, our little boy whined for a whole year afterwards, telling us how unhappy he was he couldn't be with us. We went to Disneyworld last year and took him and our granddaughter and stayed in a different hotel that accepted pets. He loved it so much and still uses the pet bed that was included in the very small fee we paid to have him join us. Please try and provide a few first floor rooms for at least pets who have some sort of paper work, verifying they are well trained, etc. Thank you for your consideration.

My husband and I always travel with out dog, Sophie, a 20#Westie and am happy to find Marriott opening up their hotels for pets. I understand about the allergies, and would suggest a designated main floor aection, or better yet how about a Marriott Dog House? The upcoming babyboomers will be traveling a lot and business for pet friendly will increase. Thanks for understanding the love of a dog.

Now that I know that Marriott is pet friendly, I'll use it even more. Nice to see that you consider these other family members.

I have the privilege of working in the incentive travel industry and am able to call Marriott properties around the world home when I'm working. Walking into a Marriott in a far away place is like coming back to a good friend's home. I would love to see more pet-friendly properties for conscientious dog owners. We especially need a property close to our dog-friendly beach in Jupiter, FL, and we'll be happy to recommend it to all our visitors!

Dear Mr. Marriott:
My wife and I had a dog for thirteen years name baby. We never knew how much she was a part of our family until she died. Baby was the smartest dog we ever had. She was well trained and knew exactly what we wanted. Wow what a pet, we have not gotten another pet because the hole she left was too much. Especially when we look at photos which we always took of her it quit difficult, she will be greatly missed. I just wanted to share that with you since you were kind to share thought and feeling of your pet. I enjoy your hotels when we travel keep up the good job.
Brother Lentry Vance

I, too, have allergies (mostly in the form of asthma) to dogs and cats which is why I stay at Marriott in the first place: my family members all have pets. With respect to those who think their pets don't smell, that's somewhat like cigarette smokers who don't realize how strong the smell of cigarettes are until they actually stop smoking. Many of us who are allergic, can (fortunately) pick up the faintest whiff of pets. That indicates there will undoubtedly be allergens (proteins in the pet's dander, saliva or urine) in the area. Even if no smell is detected, if a pet has been in the area, there will probably be allergens.
Dogs and cats secrete fluids and shed dander (dead skin) that contain the allergens. The allergens collect on fur and other surfaces and will not lose their strength for a long time, sometimes for several months. They appear to be sticky and adhere to walls, clothing and other surfaces. The allergens get in the air with petting, grooming or stirring the air where the allergens have settled. Once airborne, the particles can stay suspended in the air for long periods of time. So even after the pet has left the room, and the room has been cleaned, cat and dog allergens remain.
Although pet owners believe that their pets are less messy and more obedient than children, and that may be the case, that is not the main issue to people with pet allergies. I would guess that children do not leave behind invisible (to the naked eye) allergens which can cause serious health complications to guests long after they have vacated the premises!
Finally, people with pet allergies don't have a choice in needing to stay at a pet-free hotel when away from home. Pet owners have choices and should exercise them. They should also be considerate of people who, by no choice of their own, have pet allergies.
Thank you, Bill Marriott, for hosting this blog.

When we travel we always take Shadow, our standard poodle, with us. We dearly appreciate accomodations that accept him. Where ever we have gone Shadow has brought enjoyment to those he has met. Even though he is often described as somewhat of a character, he is more gentlemanly than the average person. Please continue to look favorably at accepting all members of our families.

One of the things I admire most about the Marriott hotels is that they're pet friendly. If I need to travel with my dog, I know he'll be with me in a comfortable, home-like setting. Good to read that you have a Golden Retriever! They're the best. Yes, they like their routines, and sounds like your golden takes charge of your routine, too.

I have to agree with everyone here concerning changing the Marriott's pet policy, designating a certain area on the first floor, and no restriction on size. We have a German Shepherd who is probably about the same size as Murphy. Why should there be a size restriction? A dog is a dog is a dog and they are family, period. In these very tough economic times, I think that your policy needs to be changed. It would make you happy with the additional income and it would make us dog lovers even happier. When instituting a new policy, there should be a form to be signed making the pet owners responsible for any pet damage and the room should be inspected before the person checks out. In the meantime, Marriott loses my business as we stay at other pet-friendly hotels. Make it your number one priority for the New Year -- pet friendly hotels across the country. Thanks for reading and hopefully enacting what us dog lovers are asking for.

Just reading some of the comments posted here. Being allergic to pets I do understand some of the comments against pets. I have a Standard Poodle. Poodles are hypo-allergenic given they actually have hair similar to humans as opposed to fur. Occasionally I do get a room that bothers my allergies but I have never noticed a pet order in any hotel. More often it is the hotel heating/air conditioning system that bothers my allergies not a pet. Certainly there are pros/cons to each side. I can say Marriott would gain a larger share of my hotel stays if Marriott were pet friendly, without the fee. With all the brands Marriott has wouldn't it make sense to make one of the brands pet friendly?

Jeff, as far as a hotel making it clear whether they are pet friendly or not when you make a reservation isn't really up to the hotel. If everytime you made a reservation they started telling you all of the things that are/aren't their standard policies you would be on the phone forever. I think it would be up to you to ask about the pet policy if it is a concern to your stay.

I recently had the occasion to stay at a Fairfield Inn by Marriott and was pleasently suprised at the quality of the accommodations. However, the 2 treadmills in the Exercise Room had treads that were extremely worn and very slippery. I had to hold on the handles of the machine in order to keep from falling off and had to shorten my usual routine because of the situation. When I mentioned it to the clerk upon checkout, he thanked me for bringing it to their attention.

One more comment, the pets should not be restricted on size.

I would also like to bring my pet into the Marriott hotels and we also had to stay at other hotels due to the no pet policy. We are very considerate with our dog ensuring that he stays off the furniture and beds, sleeps in his kennel, etc. I feel we leave our room cleaner that some two legged folk. I think having designated rooms for pets that are the same quality as the non pet rooms would be a good idea. I also do not believe in extra charges for the dog but I do believe that if there is documented damage the pet owner should be made to pay.

In response to William and the smell of the dogs.....my dog is always clean and does not smell. I have never been in a room that had an odor at any Marriott. I too wish Marriott would assign at least some of their rooms to people w/pets. Our dog travels w/us everywhere - is well behaved and never barks when with us. She does not stay in the room alone. Come on Marriott, open up some rooms for us pet people!