Global Getaways: The Most Exclusive Pet-Friendly Destinations of 2025

Remember those depressing choices pet owners used to face? Leave Fido at some dubious kennel or kiss goodbye to those five-star dreams? Well, throw that outdated travel dilemma in the trash where it belongs.

Luxury travel has finally—FINALLY—caught up with what wealthy pet parents have demanded for years. No more sneaking your Yorkie in through service entrances or settling for that one sad "pet-friendly" room next to the ice machine.

Let's talk about where the smart money goes when Rover deserves the royal treatment, too.

OK, so here's the deal. Rich people changed how they treated their pets at home, and hotels finally got the memo. Took them long enough, right?

The shift happened because some marketing genius at a luxury hotel chain probably noticed something obvious: when billionaires renovate their Manhattan penthouses, they now spend as much on pet spaces as they do on guest rooms.

Hotels basically went: "Oh crap, we're missing out on a whole segment of wealthy travelers who won't leave their Goldendoodles behind." And let's be real—they weren't wrong! Some statistics floating around the industry suggest that pet owners spend up to 40% more on travel than non-pet owners.

Alright, let's deal with the boring but essential stuff first. No luxury hotel on earth can save you if you're stuck at customs because you forgot your pet's paperwork.

International pet travel means paperwork. Health certificates (usually valid for just 10 days—why so short?), proof of rabies vaccines, and microchipping. Some countries go extra with their demands.

When it comes to actual travel day, anxiety is the biggest pet mood-killer. That's why vet-formulated CBD dog treats have become super popular with the private jet crowd. They take the edge off without the heavy sedation. Your pup stays aware enough to enjoy the journey but chills out during turbulence and weird airport noises.

Smart packers bring:

• Health paperwork (get extras and stick them in different bags)

• Their stinkiest, most-loved blanket from home (yes, unwashed—that's the point)

• Portable blackout covers for hotel crates

Hawaii and pets traditionally mixed about as well as pineapple and pizza (fight me on this). Their quarantine laws were so strict that bringing Fido basically meant sending him to an island prison for ages.

That's what makes The Surfjack Hotel in Honolulu such a breath of fresh air. They've somehow figured out how to make the Hawaii pet experience actually enjoyable rather than a bureaucratic nightmare.

Dogs aren't banished to designated "pet areas" (aka the sad corner next to the dumpsters). They're welcome pretty much everywhere. And—wait for it—they don't charge those ridiculous "pet cleaning fees" that somehow always cost more than an actual professional cleaning service. Seriously, other hotels, what's up with those $250 "deep cleaning" charges for a 12-pound Shih Tzu who slept the entire time?

Italy and pet travel? Kind of a mixed bag, if we're being honest. Some restaurants welcome your pooch to the table like family. Others? They'll act like your miniature Schnauzer might somehow damage a 500-year-old fresco from twenty feet away.

But the Rosewood in Tuscany—now that's something special. Nestled in that UNESCO Val d'Orcia region (you know, the one with all those perfect rolling hills that look fake but aren't), they've figured something out that seems obvious but apparently isn't: gorgeous views are better when your whole family enjoys them.

What's smart about this place is that they don't do that annoying thing where pets are "welcome" but then banned from 90% of the property. They get that separation anxiety works both ways—humans don't enjoy fancy dinners while worrying if their pet is howling in the room.

Miami's Intercontinental gets something fundamental that many luxury hotels miss: pets are social creatures. Being "allowed" in a hotel room isn't the same as being welcomed into the social fabric of a property.

They've built these amazing outdoor spaces where—get this—dogs and humans actually hang out together. Revolutionary concept, right? Their waterfront location gives you gorgeous walking routes that don't involve dodging traffic or navigating sketchy neighborhoods.

Throughout the year, they host these pet events that sound ridiculous but are actually pretty awesome. Their Halloween costume contest draws locals who aren't even staying at the hotel. It's like a very fancy dog park with cocktail service.

Let's talk SPACE. Not the outer kind—the run-your-heart-out, roll-in-the-grass, chase-a-rabbit kind that city dogs only dream about.

The Four Seasons Hampshire sprawls across 500 acres of English countryside. We're talking proper Jane Austen territory here—all rolling meadows and ancient trees. For dogs used to New York sidewalks or London parks, this place is basically heaven with room service.

What's hilarious is watching city dogs encounter farm animals for the first time. According to a friend who works there, they had a Pomeranian from Manhattan who thought sheep were large, confused poodles.

And get this—when they do their famous afternoon tea service (very proper, very British), your dog gets their own version! Little meaty treats on a mini stand. Totally ridiculous and completely Instagram-worthy.

London presents a special challenge for luxury pet travelers. It's densely packed, has some genuinely stuffy establishments, and the weather... well, let's just say waterproof everything is essential dog gear here.

The Hotel Café Royal somehow manages to be both quintessentially British (traditional, proper, historic) AND genuinely pet-friendly—a combo that's rarer than you might think.

Perfectly positioned between Regent's Park (huge green space, essential for dog walks) and Regent Street (shopping heaven, essential for human walks), the location alone makes it a pet parent's dream.

Their dog menu deserves special mention because it's not just kibble on a plate with a sprig of parsley. They do seasonal options that change throughout the year. Fancy AF? Absolutely. Unnecessarily extravagant? Maybe. But isn't that what luxury is all about?

The luxury pet travel world keeps evolving faster than a Labrador chasing a squirrel. Industry folks are buzzing about what's coming next, and honestly, some of it sounds pretty cool.

Some hotels are playing around with in-room cameras connected to hotel apps. Imagine checking on your napping pup from the spa without setting up your own janky camera system.

The most interesting trend might be all the sensory stuff happening for pets in hotels. Places are installing scent-based enrichment features that change daily (dogs explore the world nose-first, after all) and interactive puzzle elements that keep bored pets busy while owners relax.

One thing's clear—luxury isn't luxury unless the whole family is included, paws and all.

• Best for Island Escape: The Surfjack, Honolulu – No quarantine headaches and zero pet fees

• Best for Scenic Views: Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco – UNESCO-worthy landscapes your dog can actually enjoy

• Best for Social Pets: Intercontinental Miami – Where your dog makes friends at poolside "yappy hours"

• Best for Space to Roam: Four Seasons Hampshire – 500 acres of English countryside for off-leash adventures

• Best Urban Sanctuary: Hotel Café Royal, London – Prime location between park and shopping with seasonal pet menus