Sonesta Pet Policy & Pet Friendly Locations

Sonesta is one of the fastest growing hotel chains in the world. We like to think it’s because all their properties are pet friendly and offer some great pet amenities including treats, comfy pet beds, and food and water bowls. Pet owners appreciate this because it means Sonesta doesn’t just tolerate animals, they truly welcome them, and so we’ve seen an uptick in Sonesta’s reservations. But beyond their pet-friendliness, their growth can also be attributed to their recent purchase of Red Lion Hotels which has increased the number of their properties by four hundred percent. They’ve also started a global franchising division that should greatly increase the numbers for Sonesta-named sub-brands. No matter how you look at it, though, Sonesta is briskly moving from being a well-kept secret a major player in the hospitality industry.

Beyond Red Lion Hotels (which we treat separately on our Hotel Chains page), Sonesta has five primary sub-brands that welcome pets with pretty much the same pet policy across the board. Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels & Resorts, and Sonesta Select allow up to two pets (cats and dogs) per room for $75 per stay with no breed or size limit. Sonesta ES Suites and Sonesta Simply Suites have the same policy but charge $150 for stays longer than seven nights.

Petswelcome users give high marks to Sonesta hotels with a maximum 5 stars for human friendliness, 4 stars for pet friendliness and 4 stars for overall satisfaction. Most of the comments were very complimentary regarding the staff and service, though there were some complaints for a very few properties about the conditions of the rooms, saying that they needed upgrading. Overall, though, pet owners were very satisfied with their stays.

Although they might feel like a new brand, Sonesta has a long history going back to 1937 when real estate mogul A.M. “Sonny” Sonnabend purchased the Preston Beach Hotel in Massachusetts with a group of investors. The success of that hotel turned his attention to the hospitality industry where he focused on building hotels that offered excellent service and authentic experiences. To that end, Sonesta expanded by providing specific brands to meet the diverse needs of travelers. These brands include Sonesta ES for extended stays, Sonesta Simply Suites that offer apartment-like amenities with kitchens and dedicated workspaces, Sonesta Select for affordability, and Royal Sonesta hotels that provide top-tier hospitality and comfort in some of the world’s most desirable destinations.

No matter what your needs, Sonesta has a hotel to suit your whole family. We suggest you get in on the Sonesta “secret” and give them a try on your next trip. Who knows, they might become a habit—or at least your go-to choice whenever you have your favorite animal in tow.