2011.03.24
K9-friendly B&Bs in Va
The folks at Fido Friendly, a must-read publication for folks who like to travel with their dogs, have released a list of 10 bed-and-breakfasts that it finds most appealing.
Two of these B&Bs are right here in the commonwealth.
Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast and Cottage Suites in Fairfield made the list. The magazine describes it as having “three dozen acres of roaming space, endless fields for playing Frisbee, friendly horses and a lake-fed stream…” Apparently if you get lost somewhere in those 36 acres, the inn has a border collie-mix named Ellie who will safely herd you back to your room.
If you and your pooch have a disagreement, the innkeeper is a professional animal communicator and could help mediate the spat.
Also on the list is Garden and Sea Inn in New Church (pictured here), a five-acre estate near Chincoteague Island –a place I have always wanted to visit since I read the “Misty” books in the third grade. This B&B offers two guest rooms that share a screened porch (a big plus for greyhounds) and one that has it’s own yard.
The inn, with two dog-friendly beaches nearby, also offers pet-sitting and an on-site kennel in case you and your pet need a little time apart.
If you travel with your best four-legged friend, what vacation destinations do you recommend?
The sad part is even those who have dogs and love dogs will not stay in a room that accepts dogs, even though the inns are very thorough in their cleaning process.
So for those who have “dog rooms” they do not rent as often as those that are NON dog rooms. It is a catch 22 for innkeepers.
But the good news is ALL VA STATE PARKS CABINS allow FIDO! There are 35 va state parks and many with cabins, and NEW cabins. It is way less than a kennel and FIDO gets to hike and run and be with the FAM!
Comment by Shellie Leete — March 24, 2011 @ 8:42 am
These B&B sounds great for people traveling with their pets! I also occasionally travel with my pet so that is good to know other times I may get a petsitter like myself.
Comment by Madeline — March 24, 2011 @ 11:00 am
I do love the VA State parks and use them often. The pups and I are planning a weekend escape soon to celebrate Kenzie’s 10th birthday (and because I need some R&R time!). I was just laying in bed last night wondering if there were other options I may be able to try (other than the state parks). This article is very timely for me! Thank you for finding it Nona! You rock!
Comment by Amy — March 24, 2011 @ 11:08 am
I have to respectfully disagree with Shellie above. As an avid pet owner and travel enthusiast, I must tell you that in all my years of traveling with my dogs, it has never been a problem staying in designated pet rooms. My dogs delight in sniffing around when we first check in, finding new scents to explore, but quickly tire of this and relax as if they were at home. I have found that over the years, the more we travel with our dogs, the more they adapt and I could not think of leaving them with a sitter or at a kennel as I would miss them too much. For me, I stay longer at a destination with Fido by my side. Across the country I have also encountered ‘full capacity’ for dog designated rooms, not rooms left un-rented. I guess its just one of those things I have personally experienced. We also have fun staying at a cabins and private homes. There is such a fun world out there for people and pets!
Comment by Rebecca Ryan — March 24, 2011 @ 12:26 pm
The picture looks so inviting and I have to say, you are missing out on a wonderful experience if you never visit Chincoteague. There are modern hotels and other tourist-y sites on the island,but basically the whole town is like a step backwards in time. You won’t be disappointed!
BTW- do they have cat-friendly rooms at these B&B’s?
Comment by Sandy — March 25, 2011 @ 8:23 am
I’m not a dog person at all, and due to our allergies, we would not stay in any establishment that permitted pets unless the pet-free rooms were pretty well separated. I have a reasonable tolerance developed with my brood of cats, but the moment I get around someone else’s, the allergies hit hard. Cats are worse than dogs, according to my allergy doctor, but I get more sneezy and red-eyed when a dog is around.
Comment by Other John — March 25, 2011 @ 10:53 am
Thanks, Nona for the mention — this is Sue, innkeeper/owner (and chef, gardener, concierge, etc., etc.) at Fox Hill B&B and Cottage Suites. Five of our six rooms are pet friendly (we keep one room pet free for people who may have allergies), and I must say we sometimes do wonder if people who don’t have dogs might be reluctant to stay at our property. (As Shellie mentioned above, we are indeed very thorough in our cleaning process — my husband, Mark, does all the cleaning and he knows I check every room when he’s done
) However, it doesn’t seem to be a turn-off, and our experience is a bit different than Shellie’s — we find our dog-friendly rooms are almost always the first to book, whether people are traveling with dogs or not. And our guests who do visit with their dogs are typically very careful, considerate, and their dogs are well-behaved and just so happy to have a chance to explore our property.
Comment by Sue Erwin — March 28, 2011 @ 11:34 am