Some basic rules for avoiding pet allergens in hotels.
Not an exhaustive list, but a reflection of what I've learned so far.
Find chains that do not allow pets.
On a recent road trip in the southern United States, I stayed at Hampton Inns whenever possible. As a rule, they are pet-free. But there are exceptions, so be sure to check the hotel website for their pet policies before you go.
Do not trust everything you read on the website.
I hoped to book a room at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in New Jersey after seeing the following on their website (as of 8/5/2017): Not all rooms or room types allow pets. Please check with the hotel if you have any questions. I called the reservation number and the representative was kind enough to call the front desk to see what was available only to be informed that all rooms were pet friendly. Confirm with the property before finalizing a reservation.
Find chains that provide allergen-free rooms.
I have stayed in several Hyatt Hotels that offer Pure Rooms. There was a surplus charge but it was well worth it. Not only don't you have to worry about pet allergies, neither do you have to worry about other people's allergies. Hilton also offers a Pure Room option at some properties. A friend with similar allergies raved about the experience, or really the lack of a bad experience.
Find hotels with pet-free room options.
The Omni Bedford Springs sets aside pet-free rooms. I am not sure if all Omni hotels are so enlightened but I am investigating. Even if a property doesn't set aside pet-free rooms, it may set aside pet-free areas. I love the Paddington Hilton in London and not just because of its unbelievable convenience. (What's not to love in a hotel that keeps a Paddington Bear in its mini-bar?) However, I love it for a third, more relevant reason. Although the Paddington Hilton accepts pets, it does not allow them in its Tower rooms. It is a more costly solution, but many solutions regarding pet allergies are.
Find a hotel with pet floors.
I am not sure if all W hotels follow the same policy, but I used to stay at the W in the financial section of Manhattan on occasion. They loved pets so much that they had a section for them on the room service menu. However, they did have a floor devoted to animals. That didn't officially render the other floors pet-free, but it did mean there was a better shot that the rooms on those floors had not had an animal guest.
Never stay in an ADA accessible room.
Many individuals require the assistance of support animals that are always allowed in hotels. I work on the assumption that a larger number of those individuals are booking ADA-accessible rooms. It is not a guarantee, but it is a safety measure I adopted.
Check out a hotel's linen policy.
Some hotels are so proud of their housekeeping policies that they include a description on their website. These days it is not hard to find a hotel that has jettisoned bedspreads in favor of all-white linens including duvet covers that are laundered every day.
If all else fails, look at the website pictures.
If you are unable to find a hotel with any pet-free options, check out the photos of the guest rooms on the hotel website. What you are looking to avoid are old or dark bedspreads that can hide a lot of sins. If a hotel does not state that its all-white linens are washed between each guest, there is a better shot they wash the cover more often than a dark bedspread.
Remove all bed accessories.
Even if you are in a room with white bed accessories that are washed every night, you might find that some decorative elements have been added. Remove any decorative panels or throws that might harbor dander from earlier non-human guests.
Pick a room on a higher floor. (I'm thinking dogs only)
I am only guessing about this, but it is my thought that dog owners would like to have the best access to an exit for walking their dog and will probably want to avoid elevator rides. So, if I have not been able to guarantee that I will not follow an animal into a hotel room, I pick a room on a higher floor.
Wait Thirty Minutes.
If you are unable to follow any of these tips and find yourself in a hotel room that meets none of the qualifications, test the room. Do not settle in, do not unpack until you've been in the room long enough to see if you will experience an allergy attack. Look around. Although dander is invisible, pet hairs are a giveaway that an animal has been around.
A lot to think about and time-consuming, but the time spent researching can prevent time lost to allergy reactions.
Not an exhaustive list, but a reflection of what I've learned so far.
Find chains that do not allow pets.
On a recent road trip in the southern United States, I stayed at Hampton Inns whenever possible. As a rule, they are pet-free. But there are exceptions, so be sure to check the hotel website for their pet policies before you go.
Do not trust everything you read on the website.
I hoped to book a room at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in New Jersey after seeing the following on their website (as of 8/5/2017): Not all rooms or room types allow pets. Please check with the hotel if you have any questions. I called the reservation number and the representative was kind enough to call the front desk to see what was available only to be informed that all rooms were pet friendly. Confirm with the property before finalizing a reservation.
Find chains that provide allergen-free rooms.
I have stayed in several Hyatt Hotels that offer Pure Rooms. There was a surplus charge but it was well worth it. Not only don't you have to worry about pet allergies, neither do you have to worry about other people's allergies. Hilton also offers a Pure Room option at some properties. A friend with similar allergies raved about the experience, or really the lack of a bad experience.
Find hotels with pet-free room options.
The Omni Bedford Springs sets aside pet-free rooms. I am not sure if all Omni hotels are so enlightened but I am investigating. Even if a property doesn't set aside pet-free rooms, it may set aside pet-free areas. I love the Paddington Hilton in London and not just because of its unbelievable convenience. (What's not to love in a hotel that keeps a Paddington Bear in its mini-bar?) However, I love it for a third, more relevant reason. Although the Paddington Hilton accepts pets, it does not allow them in its Tower rooms. It is a more costly solution, but many solutions regarding pet allergies are.
Find a hotel with pet floors.
I am not sure if all W hotels follow the same policy, but I used to stay at the W in the financial section of Manhattan on occasion. They loved pets so much that they had a section for them on the room service menu. However, they did have a floor devoted to animals. That didn't officially render the other floors pet-free, but it did mean there was a better shot that the rooms on those floors had not had an animal guest.
Never stay in an ADA accessible room.
Many individuals require the assistance of support animals that are always allowed in hotels. I work on the assumption that a larger number of those individuals are booking ADA-accessible rooms. It is not a guarantee, but it is a safety measure I adopted.
Check out a hotel's linen policy.
Some hotels are so proud of their housekeeping policies that they include a description on their website. These days it is not hard to find a hotel that has jettisoned bedspreads in favor of all-white linens including duvet covers that are laundered every day.
If all else fails, look at the website pictures.
If you are unable to find a hotel with any pet-free options, check out the photos of the guest rooms on the hotel website. What you are looking to avoid are old or dark bedspreads that can hide a lot of sins. If a hotel does not state that its all-white linens are washed between each guest, there is a better shot they wash the cover more often than a dark bedspread.
Remove all bed accessories.
Even if you are in a room with white bed accessories that are washed every night, you might find that some decorative elements have been added. Remove any decorative panels or throws that might harbor dander from earlier non-human guests.
Pick a room on a higher floor. (I'm thinking dogs only)
I am only guessing about this, but it is my thought that dog owners would like to have the best access to an exit for walking their dog and will probably want to avoid elevator rides. So, if I have not been able to guarantee that I will not follow an animal into a hotel room, I pick a room on a higher floor.
Wait Thirty Minutes.
If you are unable to follow any of these tips and find yourself in a hotel room that meets none of the qualifications, test the room. Do not settle in, do not unpack until you've been in the room long enough to see if you will experience an allergy attack. Look around. Although dander is invisible, pet hairs are a giveaway that an animal has been around.
A lot to think about and time-consuming, but the time spent researching can prevent time lost to allergy reactions.
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