Pet-friendly Hotels

10 luxurious Texas hotels that pamper pets too

Getaways can leave more than just school and work behind; there are also four-legged friends to consider. Instead of getting a sitter, why not pack up your pet for some tail-wagging experiences that include the whole pack?

Here are 10 luxurious Texas hotels that treat you and Fido like family.

Austin

Hotel Ella
Rooted in Texas history, Hotel Ella offers a boutique experience with historical charm right next door to the University of Texas at Austin. Rooms are elegant yet modern with plenty of space for a pet bed, and two pets of any size are accepted for a fee of $50 per stay. This hotel is within a short walk of Pease Park, the Shoal Creek Greenbelt, and attractions like the Blanton Museum of Art and Harry Ransom Center. Goodall’s Kitchen & Bar, the onsite restaurant, also receives excellent reviews.

W Austin Hotel
Bordering the ever-popular ACL Live at the Moody Theater, the stylish and smart W Austin is just a 15-minute walk to the Capitol and a five-minute drive to top sites like Zilker Park and Barton Springs. Through the hotel's P.A.W. (Pets Are Welcome) program, pets receive a bed, bowls, and treats in the room. Additionally, concierge services like dog walking and sitting, veterinary care, and even birthday cake delivery are provided. At check-in, pets also receive a toy, tag, and clean-up bags. Dogs and cats less than 40 pounds are welcome with a $25 room fee and a $100 nonrefundable cleaning fee.

Dallas

Aloft Dallas Downtown
At the Aloft Dallas Downtown, you and your fur baby can lap up fun and comfort. Chic, colorful rooms are flooded with natural light and feature 14-foot ceilings, walk-in showers, and tons of pet-friendly perks. Two dogs up to 40 pounds can stay for free and enjoy complimentary beds, water bowls, treats, and toys. A doggie daycare is nearby as well. Pioneer Plaza is adjacent to the hotel, and it's a 20-minute walk to the Trinity River Greenbelt Park, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and Dallas World Aquarium.

Hotel Lumen
A contemporary and sleek design defines the Hotel Lumen, which has unique, luxury extras like an evening wine hour and yoga mats in each room. Multiple pets of any size stay for free, and the front desk can recommend pet-friendly activities and services. As a neighbor to Southern Methodist University, guests have easy access to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and green spaces Curtis Park and Katy Trail are a 20-minute walk away.

Fort Worth

The Ashton Hotel
Smack dab in the heart of downtown, the Ashton Hotel fuses contemporary elements with home-like accents in two historic buildings. All rooms are pet-friendly, and two pets of any size are allowed for a $50 nonrefundable fee. Sundance Square and the Sid Richardson Museum are a five-minute walk away, as are quality restaurants and the Fort Worth Convention Center. To give your beloved canine some running room, try stretching their legs at Trinity Park (20-minute walk) or the Fort Woof Dog Park (10-minute drive).

Houston

Hotel Granduca
This classic and cozy hotel has an Italian influence and a ton of amenities for both you and your pooch. Spacious rooms include kitchens, 24-hour room service, and free Wi-Fi; pets receive treats and bowls. A 24-hour concierge is available to provide information on all things pet-friendly, including dining, shopping, and entertainment. Two pets less than 60 pounds are allowed for a $125 nonrefundable deposit, but get this: A portion of the fee is donated to a no-kill animal shelter in Houston. For green space, the 1,500-acre Memorial Park plus the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center are just a 25-minute walk away.

Hotel ZaZa Houston
Luxury and relaxation combine at Hotel ZaZa Houston where lavish marble bathrooms and cozy neutrals blanket each room. And pets don’t have it too shabby either. Doggy goodie baskets, room service pet menus, and food and water bowls are provided, as are walking services. All rooms are pet-friendly, with two dogs or cats of any size allowed for a fee of $150 per pet. Plus, thanks to the hotel’s location in the Museum District, guests can walk to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Zoo, and Hermann Park. P.S. Hotel ZaZa Dallas is pet friendly too.

Marfa

Hotel Paisano
For your next magical adventure to West Texas, make reservations at Hotel Paisano. This historical hot spot offers a doggie bag upon check-in, and the front desk staff can also direct you to a nearby dog park. The quaint city of Marfa is very walkable, and Hotel Paisano's central location will practically beg you to take an evening stroll with your pooch. Pets under 20 pounds are allowed — just let the staff know when booking your stay and be prepared for a $20 nightly fee.

San Antonio

The Emily Morgan Hotel
This DoubleTree by Hilton is across the street from the Alamo and just a 10-minute walk from the central River Walk area. The Gothic Revival style with gargoyles and cast iron touches hark back to its history, while modern rooms offer excellent views. A $50 nonrefundable pet fee is required, and pets of any size are welcome. Doggy daycares and grooming spas are nearby, and both Madison Square Park and Hemisfair Park are within a 15-minute walk. Pet-friendly restaurants like Charlie Wants a Burger (five-minute walk) and The Cove (10-minute drive) are also close.

Hotel Havana
Hotel Havana has a refined yet comfy Mediterranean style and is nestled on the River Walk’s northern edge. This boutique hotel’s rooms are all pet-friendly, and dogs of any size are welcome for a fee of $25 per stay. Adjacent is the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, while Travis Park and Madison Square Park are a five-minute walk. Top attractions like the Alamo and the River Walk are a 10-minute walk away. The onsite restaurant Ocho and Havana Bar come highly recommended.

Dogs of all sizes are welcome at Hotel Havana in San Antonio.

Hotel Havana dog-friendly accommodations

Photo courtesy of Hotel Havana

Dogs of all sizes are welcome at Hotel Havana in San Antonio.

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Aerie in the sky

Nature-inspired hotel checks into Texas' tallest tower in Austin

Photo by Chase Daniel

Rooms at 1 Hotel Austin settle in simple and natural design.

A luxury hotel chain is checking into Austin, adding the Texas capital to a cohort of a dozen North American cities. Called 1 Hotel Austin, the 252-room stay is designed to blend with nature and tap into sustainable hospitality in the new Waterline building — the tallest tower in Texas. Reservations are open now for the hotel, opening in August.

A press release explains that 1 Hotel Austin looks at its surroundings where Waller Creek and Lady Bird Lake meet "through a contemporary, biophilic lens." Designers used natural materials, textures, and transitions from inside to outside — like balconies and terraces with plants, or floor-to-ceiling windows — to create a feeling of connecting with the natural world.

Foodies may already know that a highly regarded restaurant from Denver is moving in as the hotel's signature restaurant. Called Alteño Austin, the concept by Chef Johnny Curiel shows off cuisine from the Highlands of Jalisco, where he has a family connection.

$Alte\u00f1o Austin$ Alteño currently only has one location — the original — in Denver, Colorado, and one more on the way in Charleston, South Carolina.Rending courtesy of 1 Hotels

“There’s a respect for tradition in the way [Chef Curiel] cooks, but also a willingness to reinterpret it, and that balance is what makes his food so compelling," said Nicholas Demasi, senior vice president of food and beverage at Starwood Hotels, in the release.

There will also be two other food and beverage concepts: Watr, a "Japanese-leaning" rooftop restaurant and lounge designed to entertain guests from day to night, and Neighbors, a café and wine bar that can be accessed from the lobby and the street for coffee, juice, small plates, draft cocktails, and more, depending on the time of day.

1 Hotel Austin rooftoop Watr This rooftop restaurant will serve a Japanese-inspired menu.Rending courtesy of 1 Hotels

Focusing more on the amenities than the rooms, which include 60 luxury suites, the release draws attention to the building's proximity to the Rainey Street District and downtown, making both day and night activities easily accessible. Guests also have a direct connection to the more outdoorsy portion of town via the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around the lake.

Wellness amenities include a run club, sound baths, a 2,000-square-foot fitness center, and a yoga studio. Bamford Wellness Spa will operate a space offering retail and treatments, including couples' experiences. The spa claims inspiration through Hill Country bathhouses, placing a premium on simplicity and restoration.

1 Hotel Austin guest bath This guest bath is spa-like with a dramatic view.Photo by Chase Daniel

The hotel is working on its LEED Gold certification, which would verify that the property has earned certain credits in materials, energy, waste management, and more. Gold is the second highest certification. Sustainability initiatives at the hotel will include adopting waste reduction practices for hosted events, supplying reusable in-room glassware, and introducing travelers to the 1 Less Thing program, which encourages them to leave behind a piece of gently used clothing to donate to a local organization.

“I’ve long admired Austin for its creative energy and entrepreneurial spirit,” says Barry Sternlicht, founder of 1 Hotels and chairman of Starwood Hotels. “It’s a place where innovation thrives alongside a deep respect for the environment and community. Even as the city continues to grow and evolve, it has managed to balance progress with preservation."

1 Hotels Austin entrance The dramatic entrance exemplifies the transitional design from inside the building to nature outside.Rending courtesy of 1 Hotels

1 Hotel Austin is located at 96 Red River St., Austin. Reservations are open now at 1hotels.com. Available August room rates are currently discounted and start at $377.

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