New York City: Your Number One Pet Friendly Destination
Thinking about traveling to New York City in the near future, but can't bear the thought of leaving your beloved animal companion to stay with strangers while you're gone?
Think no more—visitors to the Big Apple will be pleasantly surprised to learn that New York City is one of the pet friendliest cities on the planet, a destination where just about every basic pet need can be accommodated. With hundreds of pet friendly hotels, dog runs, restaurants, attractions, pet stores—and dog and cat sitters galore—you can do it all here in the city that never sleeps! In other words, your pet companion never really has to leave your side. Just call up a pet friendly taxi or chauffeur, grab your leash or carrier, and start navigating the city, and you and your pet are good to go. In New York City "location is everything", and that applies not only to the resident New Yorker. It also applies to pet owner tourists and visitors to the city who want to a find conveniently located pet friendly things, all of which can be found here on NYC.com.
Our Pet Friendly Hotel Guide gives you information below about: • Top Ten Facts about Pet Friendly Hotels & Motels • Recommended Pet Friendly Hotels • Traveling To New York City With Your Pet • Ten Items To Bring Along When Traveling With Your Pet To NYC • Pet Documentation for Travel to the United States/ New York City • Getting Around New York City with Your Pet Companion • NYC Parks / Dog Run Guidelines • Pet Friendly Restaurants In New York City • Pet Sitters In New York City
Home to over 120,000 dogs, countless cats, birds, fish, and other exotic creatures, New York City was recently ranked as the number one pet friendliest city in the United States by Animal Fair Magazine. Over 100 hotels in the city accept and cater to visitors arriving in the Big Apple with pet companions in tow. In fact, if you're willing and able to spend a little money on your pet during your stay in New York City, your pet might feel so lovingly pampered here that he or she might not want to leave when it is time to head back home.
NYC.com’s Top Ten Facts about Pet Friendly Hotels & Motels
All the above facts generally apply when making reservations for New York City pet friendly hotels or motels. In addition to understanding this pet relevant information, you will also need to decide on the right location of your hotel and the types of pet services and amenities you would like during your visit.
At the low end of the pet friendly hotel scale, you can book a "pet tolerant" hotel which allows your pet to stay with you in your room, but offers very little in terms of pet creature comforts or pampering. Sometimes this can actually mean that you are booked into a room that is normally reserved for hotel guests who smoke, and you are pretty much left to your own devices regarding the care and supervision of the pet traveling with you. At the high end of the pet friendly hotel scale are established hotels which not only welcome your pet, but also offer numerous services and amenities intended to provide them with a kind of royal pet treatment. Gold-plated id tags, massages, bone-shaped pillows, customized pet beds, complimentary toys and treats, boutique products, spa treatments and grooming services, even pet psychic consultations can be arranged at pet friendly hotels which operate according to the maxim that not only the customer, but also the pet, is king.
The advantage of booking a "pet tolerant" is, of course, price. So if you are concerned about the additional costs involved in staying in New York City with your pet, and feel comfortable shouldering the burden of responsibility in taking care of every aspect of your pet's accommodations and overall well-being, this is definitely the way to go.
NYC.com’s Recommended Pet Friendly Hotels
If you are willing to pay a bit more during your stay, there are a number of New York City hotels that provide the highest level of creature comforts and services specifically catering to the conscientious and perhaps more well-to-do pet owner traveling to New York City:
The entire Affinia chain of hotels is extremely pet-friendly, with each of their New York hotels offering first-class service for pet owners and their beloved companions, going so far as to offer a Jet Set Pets program, which includes services like grooming, walking, training, and—we couldn't make this up if we tried—pet psychics. For example, the Affinia Dumont at 150 East 34th Street, is a distinguished, all-suite hotel located in the Murray Hill neighborhood that greets your pet with gourmet treats, rooms equipped with food and water bowls, and information on local pet resources. Their other properties in New York are just as accommodating to pets, so check out the Affinia 50, Affinia Manhattan, Affinia Gardens, and the Affinia Shelburne for more great places for you and your pet. The Hilton Waldorf Towers also offers a Hilton Pet Friendly program, which includes the Crypton Clean Pet Pillow, bowls, and a placemat, as well as a list of local pet services.
The Loews Regency at 540 Park Avenue pampers pets with sleep mats, bowls, and a special menu. The hotel can also provide grooming, dog walkers, catnip, and pet videos. The "Loews Loves Pets" program features information on local dog-walking routes, pet services like groomers, and pet-friendly restaurants. The concierge desk can arrange pet walking and pet sitting. The "Did You Forget?" closet includes pet beds, toys, and leashes. And the pet room service menu, developed by a veterinarian, offers nutritious cat and dog specialties (including vegetarian entrées), bottled water and milk.
At the gorgeous Le Parker Meridien at 118 West 57th Street pets can enjoy mood music, scratch pads, and a "Feed the Party Animal" menu that features such delicacies as steak tartare. Le Parker Meridien welcomes all pets from aardvarks to zebras. The luxurious Peninsula Hotel at 700 Fifth Avenue features a welcome biscuit, in-room toys and dreamy bed, staff dog walkers, and a pet menu with items such as minced meat pies, and home-baked treats. The moderately priced Hotel Pennsylvania, one of New York’s larger hotels, is across the street from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden and is no stranger to hosting pets: It is the host hotel for the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Hotel Pennsylvania allows up to two dogs per room with no weight restrictions.
At the chic and trendy Sofitel New York, located at 45 West 44th Street, all pets are welcome–dogs, cats, birds, even ferrets.
Starwood Hotels—which owns the Sheraton, Westin and W brands—has rolled out a brand-wide "LTD (Love that Dog)" program that greets pets up to 25 pounds with a welcome goodie gift box, food and water bowls, temporary ID tags with hotel contact info, and custom-designed beds that mirror the human beds and guestroom décor. Other amenities include plush robes, leashes and collars, even turndown treats. New York City’s W properties offer in-room doggie massages by a licensed dog massage therapist. Cats are given special treatment as well!
The Westin New York Times Square at 270 West 43rd Street features sleek, stylish, and sophisticated comfort, complete with "Heavenly Rest" beds. The flagship W New York at 541 Lexington Avenue is both cool and chic. The W New York Union Square" at 201 Park Avenue South is just diagonally across the street from an off-leash dog run. The W New York Times Square at 1567 Broadway is an oasis of tranquility amidst busy Times Square.
The Sheraton Manhattan at 790 Seventh Avenue and the Sheraton New York Hotel And Towers at 811 Seventh Avenue (just across the street), are steps away from the lights and drama of Broadway. The 1904 Beaux-Arts landmark in the heart of Midtown, Starwood's St. Regis at 2 East 55th Street welcomes pets and provides grand hotel atmosphere – from the crystal chandeliers to the silk wall coverings.
"Heavenly rest" pet beds are de rigueur at the luxurious Jumeirah Essex House at 160 Central Park South, with their new "Canine Turndown Program" designed to pamper even the most discerning four-legged guests. Run by "doggie designer to the stars" Amy Kizer (of the highly-acclaimed Wagwear New York City boutique), the program offers luxurious five-star canine amenities so that hotel guests and their fine furry friends can indulge in the lap of luxury together.
The Benjamin at 125 East 50th Street offers their own "Dream Dog" program, which includes a lush bathrobe, gourmet room service, spa treatments, specially designed dog beds, ceramic food and water bowls, even a consultation with a pet psychic. This luxurious program is offered to all pet owners booking at any rate, during any time period.
At the Tribeca Grand, 2 Sixth Avenue, upon request they can have your guestroom set up with pet bed, food and water bowls, and treats—all at no extra cost. They also loan kennels and pet beds of various sizes, food and water bowls, and kitty litter boxes. Along with complimentary treats at the front desk, they provide a pet food menu through room service, arrange for pet sitters, dog walkers, pet spas (all grooming done off property) and veterinary care through their concierge team. And if you don't have a pet, they'll even provide you with a pet goldfish upon request!
The glamorous and stylish Ritz Carlton New York Central Park at 50 Central Park South has a "Doggy and Me" weekend package that includes a gift photograph and a "VIP (Very Important Pooch)" program featuring use of ultra-chic pet carriers, 22-karat gold plated identification tags, aromatherapy coat spritz treatments, home-baked dog treats, and in case of bad weather, loan of rainproof trench coats, leather jackets, and cashmere sweaters. Pets up to 60 pounds are allowed, but the hotel will charge a fee and require a waiver be signed. At the downtown Ritz Carlton New York Battery Park at 2 West Street, pets are pampered with special sleeping bags and home-baked treats. Medium-sized pets are welcome at both. Like the Central Park location, this hotel requires a fee for pets ($125) and accepts pets up to 20lbs.
Other pampering properties include the Hotel 41 at Times Square at 200 West 41st Street, and the comfortable New York Marriott Marquis Times Square at 1535 Broadway, although the Marquis charges a non-refundable sanitation fee for pet owners to the tune of $250.
For smaller pets only:
At the Hilton Times Square at 234 West 42nd Street, room service can help with special food requests; and Concierge Teams can refer guests to dog walkers, pet groomers, and pet sitters. Pets under 12 lbs. are welcome. Pets under 15 lbs. are welcome at the Millenium Hilton at 55 Church Street across from Ground Zero in the heart of the Financial District. Four-footed guests are greeted with a biscuit the Waldorf Towers at 100 East 50th Street, an this Art Deco landmark that was one of the city’s first "grand hotels," and with advance notice, their skillful concierges can organize a litany of services if you'll be spending more time on the town than with your pet during your stay.
A timeless classic, The Carlyle at 35 East 76th Street is an elegant showcase of great art, a purveyor of privacy, and a sanctuary of refined taste that welcomes small pets. Be advised: the Carlyle charges a $50 per night fee and limits its pet guests to under 25lbs. Pets under 12 lbs. can enjoy the panoramic views of Central Park from their rooms at the elegant Helmsley Park Lane at 36 Central Park South.
The Muse Hotel at 130 West 46th Street offers the Pampered Pooch Package, starting at $249* per night. Upon arrival, you'll find a delightful amenity basket in your guestroom, filled with canine treats and food and water bowls and New York's only doggie playground, "Canine Court," with open land and an obstacle course close by. Hotel guests and their dogs are welcome to shop together at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany's, Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic and the Gap.
The deluxe and spectacular New York Palace at 455 Madison Avenue gracefully blends a landmark 19th-century residence with a contemporary 55-story tower. It boasts some of the largest rooms in the city, but only accepts pets fewer than 20lbs. The Novotel at 226 West 52nd Street combines European service and the ambience of Broadway and accepts small pets, as does the entire Kimpton family of hotels.
The London NYC at 151 West 54th Street, an Art Deco luxury property, accepts pets under seven lbs. Featuring an ultra-modern design, the Shoreham at 33 West 55th Street is pet-friendly and within leash distance of Central Park; pet-weight limit 15 lbs.
Hotel Plaza Athenee on the Upper East Side offers a "Pampered Pooches" packaged that includes an assortment of gifts for your dog from Harry Barker like Canines for Veterans treats, a hemp bone toy, "#2 pick-up bags," a cushioned bed, and stainless steel food and water bowls, all for $100 fee per stay. Owners of dogs weighing 25 pounds and over should contact the hotel about pricing. For an additional charge, the Hotel Plaza Athenee also offers dog-sitting and -walking services.
For a quick-reference list to pet-friendly hotels, just click here.
Traveling To New York City With Your Pet
Traveling to New York City can be a harrowing or stressful experience even without the company of a pet and the responsibilities that go along with accommodating your four-legged or two-legged friend along the way. You and your pet will need to deal with a host of contingencies which relate to logistical planning, coping with people traffic, transportation schedules, and a variety of safety issues. None of these challenges will be a problem if you follow the golden rule of planning your itinerary in advance, seeing to it that you ask yourself all the pertinent questions before departing for New York City.
For starters, it would be advisable for pet owners to consider the following checklist of items which you may or may not need to bring along on your trip, depending on the type of animal accompanying you and his or her particular needs:
Ten Items To Bring Along When Traveling With Your Pet To NYC
Although many pet friendly hotels provide or sell items that your pet might need during your stay in New York, it is smarter to bring the above items with you. Doing so will not only spare you a great deal of time, but also the expense of buying pet supplies which often cost much more when purchased at your pet friendly hotel . If you prefer to travel light, and need to pick up a few pet supplies while you’re in the city, feel free to check out NYC.com’s list of local pet stores.
Pet Documentation for Travel to the United States/ New York City
Upon arrival at one of New York City's major airports—JFK, La Guardia, or Newark—pet owners traveling domestically within the U.S. should be able to present a valid United States Veterinary certificate, which is available online.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry. If the animal is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the owner's expense.
A valid rabies vaccination certificate should also accompany your animal. This certificate should be in English or be accompanied by a translation into English. It should identify the animal, the dates of vaccination, the expiration date of the rabies vaccine, and be signed by a licensed veterinarian. The rabies vaccination must be given at least 30 days prior to arrival in New York City.
If a vaccination has not been performed, or if the certificate is not valid, the animal may be admitted if it is confined immediately upon arrival at a place of the owner's choosing. The dog must be vaccinated within four days after arrival at the final destination, but no more than 10 days after arrival at the port of entry. The animal must remain in confinement for at least 30 days after being vaccinated.
International travelers arriving in NYC with a pet, as well as U.S. residents returning to the U.S., will need to present an official Certificate of Health from an international vet, as well as a valid rabies vaccination certificate when moving through U.S. customs at one of New York City's airports.
So in general, if you're traveling to New York City any time soon, the veterinarian certificate and documentation of a recent rabies vaccination are the two most important documents you will need to have with you.
Pet owners traveling to New York who need very specific information regarding their particular pet, especially if it is an exotic species, should consult the most recent guidelines and restrictions set out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Getting Around New York City with Your Pet Companion
Traveling to and from New York's major airports into Manhattan also poses a number of questions for both the first time and frequent pet owner visiting the city. If you are traveling with a conventional pet, such as a dog or cat, pet owners should have relatively little problem using mass transit options heading into the city from the airport, so long as your dog is leashed or your cat is properly contained in a kitty carrier. For those pet owners traveling with more exotic pets, pets of a large size, or those with special health concerns, we recommend that you contact in advance one of New York City's specialized pet friendly taxi services to help you on your way.
Pet Taxi 244 Fifth Avenue #2908 New York NY 10001 212-755-1757
Pet Chauffeur 212-696-9744 718-752-1767
Canine Cab Company 917-838-5557
These professional companies are well equipped and trained to handle any kind of problems that might come up in transporting you and your pet into and around the New York metropolitan area. Just give them a bit of advanced notice, especially if it's a busy time of day or on the weekend. They can also be very helpful in the unlikely and unfortunate case of emergency.
NYC Parks / Dog Run Guidelines
There are four signed designations for areas within NYC parkland:
Obey the rules and regulations:
Respect the park and others:
Pet Friendly Restaurants In New York City
Pet friendly restaurants in New York generally mean dog friendly, since it is rare for a cat or bird owner to show up at a restaurant with those types of pets. Many restaurants with outdoor cafes will permit you to dine with your dog, but make sure to call in advance and ask! Dogs must be leashed and well behaved so as not to disturb other customers or your party could be asked to leave. Most dog friendly restaurants in Manhattan will offer your dog a bowl of water upon request. Since outdoor tables are generally the rule, visits to these restaurants is usually only possible during the warmer spring, summer and early autumn months. The location of a pet friendly restaurant near your hotel can save you a lot of time and can be an important consideration in your choice of accommodations in New York City.
Pet Sitters In New York City In closing, should you desire some down time from your family member, perhaps consider hiring one of New York's reputable pet sitters.