Virgin Hotels welcomes dogs with no size or breed restrictions, and at most of its hotels pets stay free. Dallas, Nashville, Edinburgh and London-Shoreditch charge no pet fee. Virgin Hotels New York and Virgin Hotels New Orleans charge a one-time USD 100 non-refundable pet fee per stay, although Virgin's VIP(ets) Stay offer lists both among the hotels where pets stay free. Every pet-friendly room comes with a dog bed, food and water dishes and treats. You are responsible for any damage, and staff will not clean the room while an unattended pet is inside.
This guide is built from Virgin Hotels' own pages, read in October 2026: the brand's pet-friendly rooms page, the VIP(ets) Stay offer, and the pets page and FAQ for each hotel, including the Nashville FAQ and the New York pets page. Hotel rules change, and the brand's line-up has shifted in the last two years, so check with your hotel before you travel.
Virgin Hotels pet policy by hotel
The table sets out what each hotel's own pages say. Where a hotel does not mention something, the cell says so.
| Hotel | Pet fee | Size or breed limits | Pets per room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Hotels Dallas | Free | None | Not stated |
| Virgin Hotels Nashville | Free, no pet fees | None | No limit, per the FAQ |
| Virgin Hotels New Orleans | USD 100 per stay, non-refundable | All sizes welcome | 2 maximum, per one FAQ |
| Virgin Hotels New York | USD 100 per stay, non-refundable | None stated | Not stated |
| Virgin Hotels Edinburgh | Free | None | 2 dogs maximum |
| Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch | Free | None | Not stated |
Do pets really stay free at Virgin Hotels?
At four of the six hotels on Virgin's current site, yes. The Dallas pets page says "pets stay free", the Nashville FAQ says "No pet fees", and Edinburgh and London-Shoreditch both say pets stay free with no size or breed restrictions. That puts Virgin in a small group of upscale brands that charge nothing for a dog, alongside Kimpton and a handful of others covered in our list of hotels with no pet fee.
New York and New Orleans are the exceptions. Both the pets page and the FAQ for each hotel say a one-time USD 100 non-refundable pet fee applies per stay. Because the fee is per stay rather than per night, it works out at USD 20 a night on a five night trip.
The VIP(ets) Stay offer and the New York and New Orleans fee
Virgin runs a bookable package called VIP(ets) Stay. The offer page says pets stay free at participating hotels, with no size or breed restrictions, in-room pet amenities and access to pet-friendly events, and it lists Dallas, Edinburgh, Nashville, New Orleans, New York and London as participating. The Dallas version adds a Brutus Broth pet pack. So if you are heading to New York or New Orleans, compare the VIP(ets) Stay rate with the standard rate. If the package waives the USD 100 fee and the room rate is similar, it is the cheaper choice. Ask the hotel to confirm in writing that no pet fee will be charged when you book through the offer, because the regular pages still show the fee.
Is there a weight limit or breed ban?
No. Virgin says there are no size or breed restrictions at Dallas, Edinburgh and London-Shoreditch and on the VIP(ets) Stay offer, and the New Orleans FAQ says all sizes are welcome. London-Shoreditch puts it as welcoming everything "from chihuahuas to chow-chows". This is a real difference from many chains. Hilton hotels commonly cap dogs at 75 pounds, and many Hyatt and Omni hotels set limits of 25 to 50 pounds. If you travel with a Bernese, a Rottweiler or a pit bull type dog that other hotels turn away, Virgin is one of the easier options in the cities it covers.
How many pets can you bring?
The rules vary by hotel. The Nashville FAQ says there is no limit on the number of pets per room. Edinburgh allows a maximum of two dogs per room, and one New Orleans FAQ says two pets maximum per guest room. Dallas, New York and London do not state a number on the pages we read. If you have three or more animals, call the hotel and get the answer before you book.
Dogs only, or cats too?
Virgin's pet pages are written almost entirely about dogs, with dog beds, a dog menu in Edinburgh and a Virgin Hotels bandana. The rooms are described as pet-friendly, but none of the pages we read mention cats by name. If you want to bring a cat, ask the hotel first and ask whether it can supply a litter tray, because the standard pet kit is built for dogs.
What is in a Virgin Hotels pet-friendly room
The US hotel pages list the same core kit: a pet-friendly room, a dog bed "as comfortable as your human's", food and water dishes, treats, and a Virgin Hotels bandana. Virgin's official pet partner is Shameless Pets, a treat brand that uses upcycled fruit and vegetables. Edinburgh goes further, with a handmade tartan dog bed made locally by Bark and Hare, a blanket and towel, and an in-room dog menu named after the hotel's resident dog, Bonnar, whose job title is Director of Pawsitivity.
Leaving your dog alone in the room
Virgin Hotels Dallas sets the clearest rule: please do not leave your pet unattended in your room for longer than 30 minutes at a time. Every US hotel FAQ also says the team will be unable to refresh your room if an unattended pet is present. A 30 minute limit is short, so plan meals and meetings around it. Options include taking your dog to a dog-friendly patio, booking a local walker or sitter, or using doggy daycare for longer outings. Our guide to how long you can leave a dog alone covers what is realistic for different dogs.
Damage and cleaning
The free policy does not cover damage. The Dallas, Nashville, New Orleans and New York pages all say owners are responsible for any damage their pet causes to hotel property. Chewed furniture, scratched doors or soiled carpet can lead to a charge on your card after check-out, so bring a crate if your dog is a chewer, cover the bed with your own sheet if your dog likes to sleep on it, and report any accident to the front desk straight away.
Dogs in Virgin Hotels restaurants
Edinburgh is the most open about dining. Dogs are welcome in the Eve restaurant and in Commons Club, but not in the Commons Club Kitchen area because of the open kitchen. The US pages do not say dogs can join you inside restaurants, and US health codes generally keep dogs out of indoor dining rooms other than service animals. Ask about patio seating instead.
What about Virgin Hotels Chicago and Las Vegas?
Older articles and some listings still describe pet rules at Virgin Hotels Chicago and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Neither hotel has a pet page on Virgin's current website, whose sitemap lists Dallas, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Edinburgh and London-Shoreditch. If you are booking either city, check the hotel's own website and booking confirmation for the current brand and pet policy rather than relying on an older article.
Service animals and emotional support animals
In US hotels, a trained service dog is not a pet under the Americans with Disabilities Act, so pet fees and pet limits do not apply, and staff may only ask two questions about it. The ADA service animal guidance sets out the rules. Emotional support animals do not have the same protection in hotels, so in New York or New Orleans an ESA can be charged the USD 100 pet fee. Our guide to service dog hotel rights explains the difference.
How to book a pet-friendly room
Each Virgin hotel page has a "Book A Pet Friendly Room" button, which tells you something useful: pet rooms are a set type of room rather than any room in the building. Book through that button or the VIP(ets) Stay offer, rather than a third-party site, so the reservation is flagged for a pet from the start. Then send the hotel a short note with your dog's name, breed, weight and arrival time. That gives the team time to put the bed and dishes in the room, and it gives you a written record of what the hotel agreed. If you book a pet room through a travel agent or an online travel site, call the hotel afterwards to make sure the pet note has come through, because these notes are often lost between systems.
Getting around the city with your dog
Virgin's US hotels sit in busy urban districts: Downtown Dallas near the Design District, Midtown Nashville near Music Row, the Warehouse District in New Orleans and NoMad in New York. That is great for walking but harder for relief breaks, because grass can be scarce and pavement gets hot. Ask the front desk where the nearest green space is when you check in, and walk early and late in summer. In New Orleans and Dallas, test the pavement with the back of your hand before a midday walk. For longer outings, line up a dog walker or daycare near the hotel before your trip rather than searching on the day.
Taking your dog to the UK hotels
Edinburgh and London-Shoreditch are dog-friendly and free, but getting a dog from the US to the UK is the hard part. Great Britain requires a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, a health certificate and, for dogs, a tapeworm treatment before entry, and most airlines can only fly pets into London Heathrow as cargo. Our pet transport to the UK guide covers the full process and costs.
A worked example: a weekend in Nashville with two dogs
Say you are driving to Nashville for three nights with a 60 pound Lab mix and a 20 pound terrier. Virgin Hotels Nashville charges no pet fee and its FAQ says there is no limit on the number of pets per room, so both dogs stay free. Book a pet-friendly room, mention both dogs when you book, and pack a crate for the terrier if it barks when left. Plan dinners around the dogs or book a sitter, because the room will not be serviced while the dogs are alone. The same trip at a chain charging USD 25 per pet per night would cost USD 150 in pet fees.
Common mistakes with Virgin Hotels pet stays
- Assuming every Virgin hotel is free. New York and New Orleans charge USD 100 per stay on standard rates.
- Leaving a dog alone for an evening. Dallas sets a 30 minute limit.
- Bringing a cat without checking. The pet program is built around dogs.
- Relying on old articles about Chicago or Las Vegas.
- Forgetting that damage is charged even when the stay is free.
Tips for a smooth stay
- Compare the VIP(ets) Stay rate with the standard rate in New York and New Orleans.
- Ask for a room near the elevator and a quick route outside.
- Pack your own food, waste bags and a crate. The hotel supplies the bed and dishes.
- Read our guide to finding pet-friendly hotels if you need a backup in a city Virgin does not cover.
- Follow the ASPCA's travel safety tips on the way there.
The bottom line on Virgin Hotels
Virgin Hotels is one of the best upscale options for big dogs: no size or breed limits, a proper pet kit, and free stays in Dallas, Nashville, Edinburgh and London. New York and New Orleans add a USD 100 per stay fee unless you book a package that waives it. Keep unattended time short and remember that damage is on you.