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Pet Friendly Hotel Chains

Here are just some of the pet friendly hotel chains. There are others…have you stayed in any of them?

The Kimpton Group, offers “HosPETality,” with 11 of their properties having a Director of Pet Relations, a canine ambassador who gives you a wagging welcome. No fees and no weight limits.

“Loews Loves Pets”, offering a welcome package that includes a pet bowl, dog tag, and treats. Loews has also partnered with Banfield Pet Hospital to offer furry guests a complimentary examination and a 15% discount on services during their stay. There is a $25 fee.

The exclusive Mandarin Oriental group, known for the ultimate in Asian-inspired luxury and stellar service, extends their welcome to your whole furry family, although fees and weight limits vary at each hotel’s discretion. A $100 fee is charged.

All W Hotels in North America welcome four-legged guests with a custom W pet bed and food bowls with mat in their guestroom, as well as a welcome amenity package that includes a W pet tag, treats, and waste disposal bags. There is a $25 fee.

Some Ritz-Carlton Hotels accept pets and pamper them with services ranging from a loaner Burberry raincoat to certified canine massage therapists to treats, toys, loaner beds and bowls. The usual charge is between $125 and $250 non refundable pet fee.

Photographer William Wegman’s famous Weimaraners are the “spokesdogs” for Hilton’s pet program, and Wegman designed the in-room Crypton Clean Pet Pillow. Also included in Fido’s room are two dog bowls and a place mat, and at check-in your furry friend will get his or her own travel tote with organic treats, bio-degradable waste bags, and a travel-sized bottle of deodorizing disinfectant. There is a $75 charge.

For a stylish stay on a modest budget, Hotel Indigo is a great choice for four-legged travelers. All of the hotels are pet friendly, and while fees and weight limits vary (some do not charge a pet fee and weight limits are set by each individual hotel), expect some amenities like dog treats and water bowls. The Atlanta and San Diego hotels even host a weekly Canine Cocktails “Yappy Hour”, and have canine ambassadors in residence.

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Travel Websites

Recently I learned about two websites which will be useful in traveling.
www.fly.faa.gov shows a map of the US with flight delay information. It is not specific to your airline or flight number. But it does show cities where flight delays are occurring. This could be useful if you have connecting flights or are wondering where weather is hindering flights.
www.go-today.com is a Seattle based company that offers deals on European vacations, packages, etc. This is definitely worth checking out the next time you are looking at a trip to Europe. Friends have used this site and love their customer service.
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Saturday Lunch

Leafy vines and sunshine made it a beautiful day in Healdsburg.
Of course with a table set with this many wine glasses…the day could get better.
And it did…lunch was superb, wine was fantastic, and we had a great time. Thanks, Fred, Jamie, and crew.
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Travel Gadgets

Budget Travel recently listed some travel gadgets that might make your travels easier or more fun. Check them out…

E-Book Shield: Electronic readers have many strengths, but beach-friendliness has never been one of them. The new Kindle KlearKase, made from the same tough, transparent polycarbonate used in F22 fighter-jet windows, takes scratches, splashes, and errant grains of sand out of the equation

Protect Valuables: Nervous about taking a dip while your valuables sit unprotected on the sand? Tuck them in a Vacation Vault. The 7″ x 6″ x 4″ case keeps your keys and cash secure with a three-digit combination lock. The attached cable loops around picnic tables or beach chairs to ensure no one snags your things without making a scene.csnstores.com, $20

Futuristic Beach Blanket: Large towels are bulky and take forever to dry. Instead, flop down on the ingenious Grand Trunk Parasheet, a beach blanket made from nylon parachute material—it dries in minutes, is mildew resistant, and stays cool to the touch even in the blazing sun. Weigh it down via built-in corner pockets that can be filled with sand. llbean.com, $40

Waterproof Playing Cards: Stack the deck without getting it soggy with Invisible Playing Cards, by designer Peter Woudt. Made of transparent PVC, a flexible and durable plastic, the deck is easy to wipe down should it come in contact with saltwater or a melted ice cream cone. momastore.org, $8.50

Carry-on Sunscreen: Bulky bottles of sunscreen are decidedly TSA-unfriendly. SmartShield Towelettes provide waterproof (and sweatproof) SPF 30 protection that won’t trigger security. As a bonus, you get insect protection via chemical-free repellants like cedar essence and lemongrass, which remains effective up to four hours.smartshield.com, $16 (for a pack of 15)