Kimpton's whimsical Monaco brand, located in cities across the United States, wants you and your pet to experience Monte Carlo-style hospitality. But should you be unable to travel with your pooch or kitty, you may borrow a goldfish to keep you company during your stay. Other Kimpton hotels include the elegant, minimalist Palomar and the traditional Sir Francis Drake in San Francisco, the Summit Lodge in Whistler, BC, and The Alexis in Seattle. All of Kimpton's boutique-style hotels and resorts are pet-friendly.

Loews initiated "Loews Loves Pets" to rave reviews in June 2000. All 17 Loews properties participate, some with individual packages that go beyond the corporate program. "Yappy Hour" at the House of Blues, a Loews hotel in Chicago, is a perfect example. Once a month the hotel will host a cocktail party to which guests are encouraged to bring their pooches. While guests munch people appetizers, sip margaritas and mingle amongst themselves, the dogs get designer water and biscuits and can schmooze with each other.

Loews Miami Beach

Since its opening in December 1998, Loews Miami Beach has become the South Beach hotel to visit en famille, with its varied programs for kids. Now it is also the place to stay with a pet. Special paths and a dog pool are available, guests are provided a "Loews Loves Pets" food dish and mat upon check-in, and the requisite disposable pooper-scooper comes with the package. A special "Did You Forget?" closet provides dog and cat beds in various sizes, pet videos, leashes and collars. Guests can also purchase essential items including kitty litter boxes, additional pooper-scoopers and pet toys.

Most of the hotels and resorts report few, if any, problems relating to pets within their walls, and most hotel staff seem to really enjoy having the pets visit.

"Problems? Not really," says Keith Douglas, general manager of Chicago's House of Blues Hotel. "We did have an amorous pair of boxers stay with us once. They were amorous everywhere-in the lobby, in the elevators. They were all the guests could talk about for days."

As for pets other than dogs and cats, Loews welcomes all of them.

"We had a guest make a reservation," says Douglas, "stating that he was traveling with a pet. He showed up with a 20-foot boa constrictor wrapped around his neck. The front desk checked him in, gave him his key and never said a word about it. Business as usual."

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