How American Paws Club Verifies & Ranks Pet-Friendly Hotels 🐾
When you hit the road with your four-legged companion, you will surely look for a place that truly welcomes your pup like family. At American Paws Club, we believe your pet deserves just as much thought and care as you do. Thus, we built a detailed verification process because not all “pet-friendly” hotels live up to the promise.
Our Paw Approval Score grew out of that commitment. It’s our way of highlighting hotels based on various factors. When you spot our Paw Approval Score, you can feel good knowing the place has been paw-tested and heart-approved by travelers who care just as much as you do.
Step-by-Step: How We Verify Pet-Friendly Hotels
We believe every detail matters when it comes to your pet’s comfort and safety. Here’s exactly how we verify the hotels we recommend:
Step 1: Manual Review of Pet Policies
We don’t rely on vague “pets allowed” claims. For every hotel, we personally visit their websites and:
- Confirm the size, weight, and breed allowances
- Check the number of pets permitted per room
- Review pet fees, both nightly and per stay
- Note any restrictions (such as unattended pets, designated pet floors, or required deposits)
We look for hotels that allow pets and welcome them, with clear, fair, and transparent rules.
Step 2: Authentic Guest Review Analysis
We go straight to the source. This means our team combs through verified reviews from:
- Hotels.com
- Booking.com
- Google Reviews
- Yelp
We pay special attention to travelers who stayed with their pets, making sure we get an honest view of how both two-legged and four-legged guests were treated.
Step 3: Look for Real Comments About Pet Treatment and Amenities
It’s the little details that matter. We zero in on guest comments that tell us:
- How staff treated their pets (warm welcomes, special attention)
- What pet amenities were offered—beds, bowls, treats, and more
- Any extra touches that made pet parents and pups feel right at home
Furthermore, we look for heartfelt details that show genuine care for pets.
Step 4: Property Features Audit
A pet-friendly stay should go beyond the experience. We also check for:
- Grassy areas and on-site relief spaces
- Easy access to walking trails, parks, or beaches
- Special extras like treat stations, water bowls, or pet menus
We favor hotels where pets can enjoy the property as much as their humans do.
Step 5: Staff Attitude and Service Check
It’s not enough for a hotel to allow pets. They should celebrate them. We verify:
- If pets are genuinely welcomed, not just tolerated
- Reports of warm greetings, pet treats at check-in, and special accommodations for furry guests
The factors above are non-negotiable in our ranking.
Step 6: Cleanliness Standards Review
Cleanliness is important to us in pet rooms. We assess:
- Overall hotel cleanliness ratings
- Specific feedback from pet travelers about room freshness (no lingering odors, clean floors and bedding)
We only selected hotels that maintain high standards, even for rooms that host wagging guests.
Step 7: Price and Value Check
Pet fees should be fair and transparent. We check:
- The cost of pet fees and deposits relative to the hotel’s quality
- The balance between cost, amenities, and overall guest experience
Hotels that offer real value for pet travelers earn higher Paw Approval Scores.
How We Calculate the Final Paw Approval Score
After we carefully review each property through our step-by-step process, we calculate a hotel’s Paw Approval Score based on six weighted factors:
| Factor | Weight |
|---|---|
| Verified Pet Policy Clarity & Flexibility | 20% |
| Real Pet Owner Review Sentiment | 25% |
| Property Features for Pets (spaces, amenities) | 20% |
| Staff Attitude Toward Pets | 15% |
| Cleanliness in Pet-Friendly Rooms | 10% |
| Fairness of Pet Fees and Overall Value | 10% |
Scoring Process:
- Each category is rated individually on a 5-point scale based on our research.
- Weighted averages are used to create a final composite score out of 5.
- Scores are then translated visually with stars (⭐) for quick reference.
- Hotels with a final score of 4.5/5 and above earn a “Highly Recommended” badge from American Paws Club.
Important: If a hotel’s pet friendliness feels performative (lots of rules, little real warmth), or if multiple guest reviews note poor experiences, that property does not make our final lists — no matter how famous or luxurious it might be.
At American Paws Club, our goal is simple:
No guesswork. No gimmicks. Only the best stays for you and your best friend. 🐕🏡💛
🐾 Why Our Verification Matters
When a hotel says “pet friendly,” what does that mean?
At American Paws Club, true pet-friendliness should be welcoming them like honored guests. And trust us, there’s a world of difference between a hotel that tolerates pets and one that embraces them with wagging tails and open hearts.
Thus, our vetting process goes beyond surface claims:
- ✅ We dig into real guest experiences (not just the hotel’s marketing promises).
- ✅ We measure the walkability, relief areas, and little pet perks that make a real difference.
- ✅ We pay attention to how the staff treats furry visitors.
- ✅ We even assess the cleanliness of pet-friendly rooms (because no one wants to sleep next to yesterday’s muddy paw prints).
In short, we approach every hotel as if we’re traveling with our pups, because many of us at APC are pet parents too.
Our “Paw Approval Score” is your shortcut to a stay that’s joyful, stress-free, and tailored to pet travelers.
It’s our way of making sure you and your four-legged companion stay somewhere and belong there.
Because at the end of the day, you deserve more than a hotel that says “pets allowed.”
You deserve one that says: “We’re so happy you’re here—tails and all.” 🐶✨
Ready to Plan Your Pet-Friendly Getaway?
Now that you know how we verify and rank every hotel with real care, it’s time to explore!
Browse our American Paws Club hotel guides by destination to find stays where your pup is welcomed and celebrated.
Look for the Paw Approval Score on each listing for honest, vet-approved recommendations you can trust.
And if you know a fellow pet parent planning their next trip, share our verified guides. A little insider knowledge can help us.
Because every pet deserves a five-star stay.