The hotel chains most likely to charge no pet fee in the US are Kimpton, which has no fee and no size, breed or number limit as a chain-wide policy; Motel 6, where pets stay free at Motel 6 properties; and Red Roof, where the first pet stays free and a second costs extra. Virgin Hotels waives the fee at several locations but not all. Most other big chains, including La Quinta, Best Western and Aloft, let each hotel set its own pet fee, so a free stay depends on the property.
We checked each chain's own policy page in October 2026, and the table below shows what they say. Policies change and individual hotels sometimes differ from the chain, so always confirm with the property before you book. For tips on finding and vetting pet-friendly hotels in general, see our guide to finding pet-friendly hotels.
The chains, compared
| Chain | Pet fee | Limits | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimpton (IHG) | None, chain-wide policy | No size, weight, breed or number limit in the chain policy; some hotels add their own caps | Large dogs, multiple pets, city stays |
| Motel 6 | None at Motel 6 properties | Commonly two pets per room; local rules can apply | Budget road trips and moves |
| Studio 6 | $10 per day, up to $100 per stay | Varies by location | Longer stays |
| Red Roof Inn and Red Roof PLUS+ | First pet free; second pet $15 per night | Up to two pets, 80 pounds each | One dog or cat on a budget |
| Virgin Hotels | None at several locations; $100 per stay at others | Varies by hotel | City stays, check the specific hotel |
| La Quinta (Wyndham) | Up to $25 per night, capped per stay | Two pets per room; some hotels set weight limits | Highway stops, budget |
| Aloft (Marriott) | Set by each hotel; a few charge nothing | Many cap pets at about 40 pounds | Check property listing |
| Best Western | Set by each hotel | Often one or two dogs, with weight limits | Check property listing |
Kimpton: the most generous chain policy
Kimpton, the boutique brand owned by IHG, is the chain most often named for free pet stays, and its own pet-friendly hotels page backs that up: pets of any size, weight or breed, with no added charge, no deposit and no limit on the number of pets. Many hotels add loaner pet beds, bowls and a list of nearby parks and pet shops. Kimpton properties are mostly in city centers, so they suit a stay in a destination city more than a highway stop.
Two cautions. Some individual Kimpton listings show their own limits, such as a cap on pets per room, so read the hotel's page before booking with several animals. And while there is no pet fee, many city hotels charge for parking and a daily amenity or destination fee, which can make the total cost higher than a budget motel with a pet fee.
Motel 6: free for pets, built for road trips
Motel 6 has long been the budget traveler's answer. Its reservation policies say pets stay free at Motel 6 properties, while Studio 6 extended-stay locations charge $10 per day up to $100 per stay. Local property pages commonly allow up to two dogs or cats per room. Pets must be declared at check-in, kept on a leash or attended outside the room, and not left alone in the room, and housekeeping will not service a room with an unattended pet. Some state and local laws allow only service animals, so a handful of locations may not accept pets at all.
Because Motel 6 locations sit along most interstates, it is often the easiest no-fee option on a long-distance drive.
Red Roof: first pet free
Red Roof's pet policy welcomes up to two well-behaved domestic pets, meaning cats or dogs, of no more than 80 pounds each per room at Red Roof Inn and Red Roof PLUS+ hotels. The first pet stays free. A second pet costs $15 per night, capped for stays of seven nights or more. Policies vary at HomeTowne Studios and The Red Collection, and a few hotels do not accept pets at all, so check the property page. Service animals are always welcome and do not count toward the pet fee.
Virgin Hotels: free at some, not all
Virgin Hotels is a good example of why you should check each property. Its Chicago hotel's pet page says pets stay free with no size or breed restrictions, and Nashville and Dallas list no pet fee either. But the New York and New Orleans hotels charge a one-time $100 pet fee per stay. Some Virgin hotels also charge a daily amenity fee unrelated to pets.
Chains where it depends on the hotel
Most large chains are "pet friendly" at the brand level but leave the fee to each property. La Quinta's pet-friendly page describes an optional fee of up to $25 per night with a cap per stay, two pets per room, and cats and dogs only, and some La Quinta hotels add their own weight limits. Best Western properties we checked charged from about $10 to $40 per day, often with an 80-pound limit. Aloft hotels vary widely: many charge a nightly or per-stay fee with a weight cap around 40 pounds, while a few list no fee at all.
For these chains, the only reliable way to find a free stay is to check the specific hotel's listing and then call.
What "no pet fee" does not cover
A hotel that charges no pet fee can still charge for damage. If your dog chews a door frame or your cat has an accident on the carpet, expect a cleaning or repair bill. Some hotels also take a refundable deposit or a credit card hold. And "pets stay free" usually means one or two pets of an ordinary size. If you are traveling with three cats or a 120-pound dog, read the limits before you assume you are covered.
Pet-free rooms are another detail. Many hotels keep pets to a set of designated rooms, often on the ground floor. That is convenient for walks but means those rooms can sell out first, especially on busy weekends or near holidays.
How to confirm a hotel's pet policy before you book
Policies on chain websites are a starting point, not a guarantee. Before you book, especially on a moving trip where you cannot easily find another room at 10 pm, run through these steps:
- Read the hotel's own listing, not only the chain's pet page. Look for the pet section and any weight or number limits.
- Call the front desk and ask: Do you accept my type and number of pets? Is there any fee, deposit or credit card hold? Are there size or weight limits? Can pets be left alone in the room?
- Ask for a pet-designated room to be noted on your reservation, and if the hotel is a ground-floor motel, ask for a room near an exit and a grassy area.
- Get it in writing. Save the confirmation email or note the name of the person you spoke with and the date.
Which no-fee option fits your trip
The right chain depends on where you are going and what you are traveling with. On an interstate road trip or a move, roadside budget chains win: Motel 6 and Red Roof sit near most highway exits, have ground-floor rooms with outside doors, and charge nothing for one pet. For a stay in a city, Kimpton is the standout, because it is one of the few chains with no fee for large dogs or several pets. If you have one small dog and are staying somewhere with lots of choice, it is worth comparing a Virgin, Aloft or La Quinta property that happens to waive its fee, since the room may be nicer for a similar total price.
If your trip mixes both, a common pattern is budget motels on the driving days and a pet-free-stay boutique hotel for the last night or two at the destination.
Big dogs and weight limits
Weight limits are the most common reason a "pet friendly" booking falls through. Red Roof caps each pet at 80 pounds. Many Aloft hotels cap pets at around 40 pounds, and Best Western properties often set 80 pounds per dog. Motel 6 locations often limit the combined weight of pets in a room. If you have a large breed such as a Great Dane, a Saint Bernard or a big Labrador, Kimpton's no-limit chain policy is the most reliable choice, and otherwise you need to ask each hotel directly. Do not assume the front desk will waive a limit on arrival after a long drive.
Booking sites versus the hotel itself
Travel booking sites let you filter for pet-friendly hotels, which is useful for building a shortlist. But the pet details on those sites are often out of date, incomplete or missing fees entirely, and a booking marked "pets allowed" may not mention a weight limit or a per-night charge. Use the filter to find candidates, then confirm on the hotel's own page and by phone. Booking directly with the hotel also makes it easier to add a note about your pet to the reservation and to change rooms if a pet-designated room is needed.
When the new home is not ready yet
Moves rarely line up perfectly. If you arrive before you can get into the new place, an extended-stay hotel can bridge the gap. Watch the fees here, because a nightly pet charge adds up over a week or two. Studio 6, for example, caps its pet fee at $100 per stay, and Red Roof caps its second-pet charge for long stays. A quiet extended-stay room with a kitchenette is often easier on pets than several moves between hotels. Keep the routine as close to home as you can: the same food, the same walk times and the same bed or blanket. Our guide to moving to another state with a dog covers how to time the move so the gap between homes is as short as possible.
Pet etiquette that keeps hotels pet friendly
Free pet policies only last as long as pet owners make them worth it. Use a crate or a sheet over the bed if your dog sleeps on furniture. Never leave a barking dog alone in the room. Pick up after your dog every time on hotel grounds. Bring your own towels for muddy paws rather than using the hotel's. And hang the Do Not Disturb sign if your pet is in the room, so staff do not open the door on a frightened animal. Our guide to pet-friendly hotels covers more etiquette.
Cats in hotels
Most chains above accept cats as well as dogs, but always check, because some properties that call themselves pet friendly mean dogs only. With a cat, the main risk is escape when the door opens, and hiding in places you cannot reach, such as inside a box spring. Bring a litter box, set the cat up in the bathroom while you unload, and block gaps under beds. Our guide to a road trip with a cat walks through the full overnight routine.
Planning overnight stops on a long move
If you are moving across the country with pets, hotel costs add up fast. Five nights with a $25 per night pet fee and a second pet charge can add well over $150 to the trip, which is one reason Motel 6 and Red Roof are popular with moving families. Plan your stops around how long your pets can comfortably ride each day; our guide to how long a dog can travel in a car helps you set daily distances. Book every night before you leave, so you are not searching for a pet-friendly room after a 10-hour drive.
If you are renting a car for the move, check the rental company's pet rules too. Our comparison of rental car pet policies covers the major companies. And if the drive is too much, a professional ground transporter handles overnight stops for your pets, often for less than the combined cost of hotels, fuel and time off work. Our guide to cross-country pet transport compares the options.
Service animals are different
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, hotels must allow service dogs and cannot charge pet fees or deposits for them, although guests are still responsible for any damage. Emotional support animals do not have the same protection in hotels, so pet rules and fees apply to them.