As an avid traveler, I’ve always appreciated the convenience and affordability of all-inclusive resorts for our family. With everything from food to activities included in the price, all-inclusive vacations take the unpredictability of a la carte dining, activities, and hidden fees out of your bill. And some of my favorite all-inclusives even let me bring the family pet along.
Because I love bringing our four-legged family members along with us on family vacations, whenever I find an all-inclusive property that also embraces pets, I’m likely to return time and again − as I have at many of the pet-friendly all-inclusive resorts on this list. If you’re also a pet owner who enjoys bringing your furry friends on vacation, you’ve got options. Here are 10 of my favorite all-inclusive resorts that allow pets.
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1. Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
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In the heart of Cabo San Lucas, Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos is a pet-friendly property that allows up to two small pets (cats or dogs) up to 50 pounds each in select rooms as part of the resort chain’s beloved Unleashed program. For a fee of $150 per pet, you can expect amenities including a plush dog bed, welcome treats for your pet or pets, and certain areas of the resort to be open and accessible to pets. It’s also fun to take your dog for a walk on the beach.
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The pet-friendly all-inclusive is about a 20-minute drive from Cabo San Lucas International Airport and boasts six outdoor pools, a kids club, bowling alley, and an award-winning spa. Contemporary rooms and suites feature luxurious Egyptian cotton linens, spacious bathrooms with double vanities, and flatscreen TVs. Guest room patios promote outdoor living with lounge chairs and dining areas where you can hang out with your pet.
Cabo San Lucas is known for its nightlife, but I love that it’s also a walkable city with many places that allow dogs. Stroll along the waterfront and be sure to stop by the Marina Mercado, where you’ll find local artisans selling handmade crafts. You might also want to set aside a morning to check out the Pirate Cruise on Buccaneer Los Cabos, where you can learn about maritime history and possibly spot whales. I love the early morning snorkeling tours, where a hearty breakfast of eggs and pancakes is served on the boat as you take in the beautiful views of the Sea of Cortez.
Other Hard Rock properties with pet-friendly rooms and perks include locations in Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach, Florida; Sioux City, Iowa; and Lake Tahoe on the border of California and Nevada.
2. Zoetry Montego Bay
Montego Bay, Jamaica
An all-inclusive Hyatt resort, Zoetry Montego Bay allows small dogs up to 22 pounds for $75. This popular spot in Jamaica provides food bowls, treats, toys and a sumptuous bed for your dog. At press time, it’s also the only all-inclusive resort in Jamaica that allows pets. That’s especially notable because many of Jamaica’s most beautiful beaches are dog-friendly.
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There’s a luxurious full-service spa here, along with many activity options, such as kayaking, deep-sea fishing and scuba diving. There are also five restaurants, many of which make for nice al fresco dining with your dog. I recommend having an al fresco brunch at Coyaba with your pet. One of my favorite memories at this pet-friendly all-inclusive resort was dining there and people-watching with our pup.
If you’re an avid golfer, head over to Cinnamon Hill Golf Club, where you can get in a round or two. Work with the hotel’s concierge to arrange a visit to the Montpelier Estate, a plantation rich with history dating back to the early 18th century. The property offers hiking, ziplining,and even tubing down the Great River.
You’ll need to contact the resort directly to make reservations and confirm availability for your dog.
3. TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort and Rumfish Beach Resort
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Situated right on St. Pete Beach, TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort and the next-door RumFish Beach Resort welcome up to two pets (weighing up to 80 pounds) for a $30 fee per night. The twin oceanfront resorts offers brightly colored rooms with traditional West Indies furnishings along with modern comforts such as flatscreen TVs, fridges, microwaves and coffee machines. Suites have a separate sitting area in addition to kitchenettes. All hotel rooms and villas at both resorts are pet-friendly.
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At TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, pups can enjoy some off-leash time in the Pet Play Zone, a large grassy area with a drinking fountain and faux fire hydrants. The property also has a designated dog walking zone along a meandering waterway and a doggie shop selling essentials such as treats, towels and toys you might have left at home. Rumfish Beach Resort, while lacking the bells and whistles of Island Grand’s Pet Play Zone, also has a designated dog walking zone. Many of the resorts’ restaurants are dog-friendly as well.
If you’re out and about, head over to the newly opened Mutts and Martinis in St. Petersburg, a sports bar that welcomes dogs of all sizes. There’s even a doggy splash pad for those hot Florida nights.
4. Breathless Punta Cana Resort and Spa Adults Only
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
At the adults-only and pet-friendly all-inclusive Breathless Punta Cana, you can bring one dog under 22 pounds for $65. Fido is warmly welcomed with food and water bowls, a dog bed, toys and treats. This hip Caribbean property has 10 restaurants, eight bars, a casino and four pools, and they pull out all the stops here for your dog, which is one of the reasons I loved visiting with my pet.
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The 750 all-suite resort is beautifully designed with bright captivating colors of the tropics. Suites feature sitting areas, large bathrooms, and balconies. Some suites offer terraces with hot tubs and direct access to pools. Water activities are popular here; you can book a sailing trip, go windsurfing or rent a stand-up paddle board.
Take your pup for a long walk along the hotel’s beach, which stretches for miles. Relax and enjoy a casual lunch at the Barefoot Grill, which has a nice outdoor patio and spectacular ocean views. And treat yourself to a spa service at the Spa by Pevonia, where you can enjoy a sauna and steam room before your appointment.
Make sure to visit Coquette at least once before you depart. The restaurant serves a combination of traditional and inventive French cuisine. Order plates to share. I also highly suggest saving room for dessert.
5. The Resort at Paws Up
Greenough, Montana
A short 30-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Missoula, The Resort at Paws Up is an all-inclusive luxury ranch that’s dog-friendly and kid-friendly. Upon arrival, your canine companion will be welcomed with a dog bed, food bowls, treats and toys. Spread across 37,000 acres, this working dude ranch offers a diverse range of accommodations, from extravagant home rentals to glamping tents. You can even elect to do both.
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The Great Outdoors provides ample opportunities for hiking and trail running through canopy-covered forests; Lubrecht Experimental Forest sits adjacent to the property should you choose to expand your exploration. If you visit in the winter, try skijoring with your dog, a popular cold-weather pastime.
But the biggest pet-centered event at Paws Up is the annual walk-run-hike Canine Classic marathon for humans and their dogs to benefit the Humane Society of Western Montana. The night before the marathon, the resort hosts a dog-friendly dinner. Guests can expect an elegant and gourmet feast for both owner and dog. The resort charges an additional fee of $50 per pet per night.
6. Blackberry Farm
Walland, Tennessee
If you’ve never visited Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee, I recommend making a special point of doing so with your pet. The 4,200-acre estate, well known as a culinary destination, sits near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with access to 522,427 acres of trails for outdoor recreation.
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Dogs are welcomed with a basket containing food and water bowls, dog treats and balls for playing fetch. You can take your dog for a hike on the farm’s massive property, go on a geocaching adventure, or book a kayaking tour. You might want to go birdwatching or horseback riding or enjoy a spa treatment. I suggest ordering a boxed picnic lunch from the resort and bring it along on your hike with your dog.
Dinners are a fun and elevated experience at The Barn, where you get dressed up and enjoy the multicourse farm-to-table fare. The Dogwood offers a more casual experience with indoor and outdoor seating. My family loved dining with our pup as we enjoyed beautiful views of Chilhowee Mountain. The resort charges a nonrefundable $250 pet fee per stay. Not all rooms are dog-friendly, so be sure to ask in advance.
7. Canyon Ranch Lenox
Lenox, Massachusetts
Canyon Ranch Lenox is a health and wellness retreat that’s the epitome of New England charm. Nestled within the Berkshire mountains of western Massachusetts, the 120-acre pet-friendly all-inclusive resort offers a respite from the business of daily life, where you can unwind and reconnect with your four-legged friend by your side.
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You’ll have access to plenty of trails for hiking and biking with your dog here. The resort provides up to 30 daily activities for guests, some of which include fitness classes such as yoga, along with workshops for meditation and breathing. One recent workshop was called “How to Communicate with Your Pet,” led by expert pet communicator Diane Roadcap.
Wellness is at the heart of Canyon Ranch, so make sure to check out the 100,000-square-foot spa, which offers a full range of treatments along with indoor and outdoor pools. Meals are focused on locally grown, healthy ingredients, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. At the end of a relaxing day, settle into your room and enjoy the sunset with your precious pup.
8. Twin Farms
Barnard, Vermont
With more than 300 acres of rolling hills to explore, Twin Farms is an all-inclusive pet-friendly resort that’s the perfect place to adventure with your dog. Wake up to the sound of chirping birds in your private cottage as natural light filters in through the large windows. These accommodations feature a separate bedroom, living room and dining area. The farm allows up to two dogs (maximum weight 100 pounds each) for $75 per dog/per night in select cottages. Blankets, dog beds, and treats and bowls are provided.
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After a sumptuous breakfast of eggs and pancakes smothered in Vermont maple syrup, you may want to stroll through the forests on the property. There are miles of hiking trails to explore. Copper Pond is great for swimming, canoeing, or fly-fishing. During the winter, the resort is a nice location for cross-country skiing or sledding.
9. San Ysidro Ranch
Montecito, California
At the San Ysidro Ranch, your dog can expect five-star service through the resort’s Pampered Pet Program. The resort offers 38 roomy cottages with private entrances. Dogs of all sizes are welcome in select cottages with a one-time fee of $150. Upon arrival at this 500-acre ranch, dogs receive a platter of treats, along with bedding and bowls to make them feel right at home.
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Dating back to 1893, the historic property was the site of Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier’s marriage. It was also where President John F. Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy honeymooned. Inside you’ll find your own oasis with a luxurious four-poster bed, sunken tub, outdoor shower and stone fireplace where you can curl up with your dog and a good book. Order room service for you and your dog. The resort even has an in-room dining menu for your four-legged friend.
Start your day off with a hike at any of the nearby trails. Hot Springs Canyon Trailhead is a popular 3½-mile dog-friendly loop. For slightly less exertion, check out the Wiman Trail, a 1.1-mile out-and-back that’s a favorite of birdwatchers and joggers. Don’t miss booking a spa service for both you and your dog at the ranch. The spa has a menu of services for your pup, too!
10. Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Phoenix
Bring your furry friend along with you to the desert. The Arizona Biltmore welcomes up to two pets for a nonrefundable fee of $150. Your dogs can enjoy the resort’s 39 lush acres along with lots of al fresco dining options. Though the historic hotel dates to 1929, rooms and suites feature modern amenities with elegant furnishings. Some rooms have spacious patios and fire pits where you and your dog can enjoy the outdoor space.
The property has two golf courses, an award-winning spa, tennis courts and seven swimming pools. Resort activities include e-bike rentals, pickleball lessons, yoga, mat Pilates and historical tours. Make some time for retail therapy; there are trendy and sophisticated shops right on the premises. Should you feel restless, downtown Phoenix is a pet-friendly city and only a 10-minute drive away.
10 best pet-friendly all-inclusive resorts in the US, Mexico and Caribbean originally appeared onFamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations.