Great getaways for you and your best friends
Over the years, many stories of favorite getaways for NW pet parents have appeared in Spot. As we joyfully dive into the vacation season, here are a few of our readers’ favorite places to stay.
Bennington Properties
Family-owned Bennington Properties boasts nearly 200 vacation homes in beautiful Sunriver. Their resource-rich website will give you a great feel for the family and the vacation experience offered here. Take a peek:
“Sunriver ~ your 1.6 million acre dog park
Your best friend will feel like s/he died and went to doggy heaven with their first sniff of fresh mountain air. There is so much for you and your four-legged family members to do in Sunriver, there’s no reason for them to be left out of the fun.”
A generous list of “dog-loving activities” includes off leash recreation, dog wash, summer (and winter) activities, events and Yappy Hour. Click on any one of these for great info, ideas and suggestions. In addition to these resources, there is great info on dog safety in summer and things to bring for your dog. And yes, there’s more — the site explores nearby hiking, outdoor rec and dog parks, local pet-centric retail and rental businesses, and even a little note on a sweet bookstore that welcomes visitors’ best friends. Learn more at BenningtonProperties.com, and enter their photo contest in June for a free Sunriver vacay! Details here.
Looking Glass Inn
The Looking Glass Inn’s resident pooches, Rain and Paco, say, “We want all dogs to be comfortable at the Looking Glass Inn.” At check-in, all dog guests receive a basket to use during their stay. The basket includes two dog sheets, dog towels, two dog bowls, pooper scooper bags, and dog treats. The inn welcomes all shapes and sizes of dogs with a maximum of two dogs per room. Each dog is $15 per night.
The inn’s “Dog Blog,” featuring great photos and letters from guests, is a blast to look at and read, and give prospective guests a really good feel for the Looking Glass experience. Here’s a note from one happy family of guests.
"We stayed at your Inn in July and had a fantastic visit. Our dogs, (Chloe, a 10 year old black Lab, and Sophie, a 1 1/2 year old chocolate Lab), had a blast. Chloe is a veteran when it comes to retrieving and swimming in the ocean...so much so that we have to put a doggie life jacket on her because she doesn't know when to stop, safety first! This was Sophie's first trip to the ocean and she was scared to get in too deep, even though she wore a life jacket as well. They were happy that the Inn was conveniently located near the beach because they didn't have to walk too far to get back to our room after an exhausting day of play. You provided the finest (and cleanest) pet-friendly lodging that we have ever experienced. The hospitality was top-notch, too. Thank you! Hope to see you again."
Kind Regards, The Birney Family
Visit LookingGlass-Inn.com.
Idyllic Beach House
This sweet spot just 4 miles north of Pacific City in Tierra del Mar is truly a home away from home. Guests rave about the how clean and well-appointed these two nearby homes are, the incredible views, and the quiet, peaceful surroundings. Of course another high point here is the beach, and notes from guests confirm the dogs love it. Many who visit are quick to make reservations at the second home, as each property has unique attributes, and once guests enjoy one, they’re often eager to experience the other. Learn more at IdyllicBeachHouse.com.
Hallmark Inns
Hallmark Resorts’ pet-friendly approach can be traced back to its very beginning. In 1948, the property owners’ Cocker Spaniel Sissy sniffed out a ‘For Sale’ sign sitting high on a bluff dramatically overlooking the famed Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. Today pets are pampered at both locations — Cannon Beach and Newport, OR — where they receive special “doggie bags” that include their own sheet and towel, a custom water bottle and bowl for trips to the beach, a Frisbee throw toy, pooper scoopers, and doggie cookies. If miles of pristine beach isn’t enough, both resorts have two pet exercise areas, complete wash-down stations and dog treats available 24-7. Learn more at HallmarkInns.com.
McMenamins Pet-Friendly Properties
“Bring along your pet, we don’t mind”
The family- and pet-friendly folks at McMenamins say when out and about with Fido or Fluffy, stop by one of their pet-friendly locations. While not all McMenamins properties welcome pets, many do, including seven hotels. As for pubs, there are many more: 23 pet-friendly pubs in the Portland Metro area, 6 in greater Oregon, and 4 in Washington.
The vibe at all McMenamins properties is warm and friendly, and the prices are easy on the budget. In addition to loving these family properties for being pet lovers themselves, another popular feature of McMenamins is its Passport. Both hotel and pub guests are invited to “start your quest to fill the McMenamins Passport and become a Cosmic Tripster. On your journey you’ll visit your favorite pubs, all while discovering new ones. We’ll keep you nourished along the way as you earn free tots, burgers and fries. Collect pint glasses, T-shirts and other exclusive passport merchandise; each stamp gets you closer to the prizes. Learn more at McMenamins.com.