Being that New York is the largest city in the country, it may not be at the top — or even on — the “to visit” list of those who love traveling with their pets, but our concrete jungle is actually home to a surprisingly large number of pet-friendly hotels.
And if you’re thinking “pet-friendly” translates to “fleabag,” you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that many luxury boutique hotels in New York welcome both human and four-legged guests.
One such property is the AAA Four Diamond Executive Hotel Le Soleil New York on West 36th Street, which recently began welcoming furry jetsetters through its Furry Comforts program.
“The whole idea was to create a little bit of a getaway for travelers and their four-legged friends, whether for a quick weekend or a staycation,” said General Manager Paul Ridguard.
The Executive Hotel Le Soleil provides gourmet treats, plush pet beds, bowls, toys, lavender-scented poop bags and dog-walking services can be arranged should parents want a night on the town sans the fur-kid.
The concierge can also provide a list of nearby pet-friendly restaurants, parks, pet boutiques and groomers, including The Pet Maven, whose staff comes to the hotel.
Like most pet-friendly hotels, Le Soleil has a weight limit (40 pounds), a two-pet maximum and a surcharge ($150), which covers a post-checkout deep clean as the hotel does not designate any of its 161 rooms, 96 of which are suites, or floors as pet-only.
“The idea behind that is people book all kinds of rooms and because you have pets, you don’t necessarily want to be relegated to a certain floor or room,” Ridguard explained.
While Executive Hotel Le Soleil sees about one or two pet guests a week, “we’d love to see more coming into the hotel to create a more paws-itive experience,” Ridguard added.
For a first-hand take from a pet’s point-of-view, let’s turn the story over to Kona, this reporter’s rescue pit bull, who recently enjoyed an overnight “Konacation” at the hotel.
3 of Kona’s favorite things about Executive Hotel Le Soleil
• Treats!
The first thing I noticed upon entering our 17th-floor suite were three delicious bone-shaped welcome treats made of pumpkin, barley and peanut butter that were just for me, which is good because I don’t like to share — even though I almost had to with Mom and Dad because they looked so good!
• Creature comforts
Our room not only had a big for-humans bed and sofa, but there was also a soft bed just for me that my parents moved over by the floor-to-ceiling windows so I could keep my eye on my city, which brings me to …
• The view
My fur-vorite part of my stay at the Executive Hotel Le Soleil, aside from my treats and getting a taste of the delicious room service burgers, was our view of Midtown’s lights. I may or may not have thrown a tantrum when my parents closed the curtains at bedtime, and I suggest you do the same if you want to keep watch all night as I did after they reopened them.
A (very) short list of other pet-friendly hotels in NYC
Sutton Court Hotel Residences
NYLO New York City
Westin New York at Times Square
Eventi Hotel
Stewart Hotel
Affinia Gardens
The Empire Hotel
Hotel Pennsylvania
Ink48 Hotel
The Benjamin
Sofitel New York
