Tail wags, treats, and cozy beds: Mikki and Merlot share the ultimate B.C. dog-friendly escapes.

When we travel, we love to bring our dogs Mikki and Merlot with us. We estimate that our furry four-legged children have spent more than 60 nights with us in in hotels, motels, and Airbnbs.

When you travel as much as we do with our dogs, you quickly learn that there’s a big difference between hotels that allow dogs and those that truly welcome them.

We’ll share our top eight Mikki and Merlot approved stays and some tips on making the most of your dog-friendly adventures.

What we’ve learned along the way is that some places allow pets, but really it just feels like they’ve found another way to charge you more money for your stay.

Some places allow you to bring your dogs, but they have so many restrictions that you feel like you’re breaking the rules the whole time. 

“I know I’m welcome when there’s a treat waiting at check-in and someone scratches behind my ears like they’ve been expecting me.”

Mikki

Then there are those special gems where our pups have been treated like honoured guests. Over the years, we’ve stayed in some wonderful spots across British Columbia that go above and beyond to help make travelling with Mikki and Merlot a joy.  Here are a few of our favourite dog-friendly stays. These are a few places that don’t just open their doors, but also their hearts to four-legged travellers.

Here are eight B.C. hotels that every pup dreams about, in no particular order.  

Watermark Beach Resort, Osoyoos

Osoyoos is one of our favourite dog travel destinations, and Watermark Beach Resort sets the bar high for dog hospitality. There’s plenty of green space nearby for morning walks, and the lakeside path is perfect for sniff-filled strolls. Mikki and Merlot always get a little welcome gift when they arrive in the room. On our most recent stay, their welcome gift included a ball, some treats, a map of dog-friendly walks in the area, and a $5 gift card for a local pet shop in town, called Blue Barn Pets. The four of us took a walk to Blue Barn, and we let Mikki and Merlot pick out some new treats while we were in town. The whole experience at Watermark felt warm and genuine. We’ve stayed here a few times with our dogs, and we always enjoy seeing other dogs here, where dogs are not just permitted, but truly welcomed.

Spirit Ridge, Osoyoos

Just up the hill from Watermark, Spirit Ridge offers a luxury experience that’s as enjoyable for the dogs as it is for us. There’s space to roam, nearby trails, and easy access to Nk’Mip Cellars for a glass of wine on the patio (yes, the dogs can join!). The views of the desert landscape and lake below make it a favourite for all four of us. We enjoy walking with the dogs around the property, through the vineyard, and down to the lake. Our tip: call ahead to book a dog-friendly room, and ask for one of the ground floor rooms with direct access to grass. 

Old House Hotel, Courtenay

The Old House Hotel is the kind of place that understands that dogs are part of the family. From the beautiful river walk right outside the door to the thoughtful pet touches, we always feel at home here. The welcome gift with treats, a dog towel, and a list of nearby dog parks was such a thoughtful gesture. It rained a number of times while we were in Courtenay, so having a dark towel to use on our wet dogs was one of our favourite little details. 

Hotel Zed, Victoria

If your dogs have as much personality as ours, they’ll fit right in at Hotel Zed. Funky, colourful, and playful, this hotel embraces the fun side of travel. Mikki loved the attention from the staff, while Merlot was happy just to curl up on our laps and people-watch. This delightful destination was one of the most dog-welcoming places we’ve ever stayed. There’s a large grassy area, complete with comfy chairs and a fire pit where we spent many hours. Mikki and Merlot were also welcomed in the pool area, so we could take turns swimming and hot tubbing, while the other was close by in the comfy chairs with the dogs watching all the fun. The Hotel Zed chain loves dogs. There are no limits on the number of dogs or other pets at the hotel, and $1 from each pet fee goes to the BC Humane Society. It also has one of the lowest pet fees we’ve found. 

Oceanside Hotel, Sechelt

A true coastal gem! The Oceanside Hotel is casual, comfortable, and just steps from the water. It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours exploring beaches, trails, and tide pools with the dogs. There’s nothing better than a sunset walk on the boardwalk followed by cozy downtime — sandy paws and all. We were lucky enough to score a ground floor room with direct access from our patio door to the grassy area outside our room. It was awesome to be able to sit outside with the dogs and soak up an incredible Sechelt sunset from our patio. 

The Balcomo, Penticton

This warm and welcoming hotel is a great spot to stay with the dogs. We’ve stayed here at the Balcomo a few times, and it’s always a relaxing stay for us and the dogs. They have one of the nicest courtyards we’ve ever seen at a hotel. Penticton’s walkable downtown meant we could grab a coffee, walk to the lake, then hit a brewery patio all with the pups in tow. Our tip: Call to book and ask for a room with courtyard access, so you and your pups can walk out of your room, onto your patio, and onto the path around the courtyard in seconds.

Summerland Waterfront Resort, Summerland

Right on the lake, with one of our favourite walking paths just outside the door, the Summerland Waterfront Resort is heaven for dogs (and their humans). The staff were very welcoming, and we loved all the incredible amenities at this resort. Mikki and Merlot were given treats both in the room, and every time we walked by the front desk. We even had one of the staff come and bring treats for the dogs when we were sitting outside relaxing by the fire table. Our tip: There are only a few pet-friendly rooms, so be sure to book your stay here well in advance.   

Coast Hillcrest Hotel, Revelstoke

Nestled in the mountains, the Coast Hillcrest Hotel in Revelstoke is a true alpine gem. We had a great dog-friendly room, and Mikki and Merlot received a nice welcome gift as well as some attention from the front desk staff whenever we walked by. The property is beautiful with a scenic trail, lots of green spaces, and dog-friendly common spaces inside the hotel. We spent plenty of time with the dogs in the large lobby relaxing on the comfy couches and reading by the fireplace. The onsite restaurant provides service in this lobby, which allowed us to bring our dogs to dinner. We also spent time on the dog-friendly patio, which featured stunning views, an outdoor fire table, and a hot tub. The welcoming atmosphere made Mikki and Merlot feel just as at home as we did. Revelstoke is a dog-friendly community, made for exploring, and this hotel makes adventuring with dogs a breeze.

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Bonus: Dog-friendly Airbnbs

We’ve also found some incredible Airbnbs that make travelling with dogs feel effortless. Our tip: always look for listings that mention fenced yards, nearby walking trails, and clear dog policies. The best hosts go beyond “pet-friendly” — they leave extra towels, dog bowls, a list of dog-friendly locations, and sometimes even a jar of dog treats.

Tips for travelling with your dogs

If you are thinking of taking your dogs with you on vacation, here are some of our tips:

• Search for dog-friendly accommodations in the location you are looking to visit. See what amenities they offer for dogs, if there are green spaces or walking trails in the area, and see what the pet fees and restrictions are. We’ve paid anywhere from $20 per night for both pets, up to $35 per pet per night, plus taxes. Pet fees can add up quickly.
• Don’t book online. Call the hotel directly and explain that you are bringing your dogs with you. Explain what you need and ask them to describe the dog-friendly room options. We once stayed in a dog-friendly room that required a long walk down a hallway, an elevator down, then a walk around the building to get to green space. It was not the best option for letting the dogs out multiple times per day.
• Bring what you need from home. We travel with our dog crate, food and water dishes, treats, pet food, blanket and toys. We try to make it as routine as possible for our dogs, so they stay calm and are comfortable.
• On the first day in a new destination, we don’t leave the dogs alone in the room, even to go to the hot tub or for dinner. We stay with them until they are settled in to our home away from home. We walk them all around the property and hotel so they are comfortable and so they work out their anxieties.
• Walk through the hotel room and see if there is anything that can be an issue for your dog. Can they get into something? We once stayed in a hotel that had long curtains that went to the ground. As soon as I saw Mikki sniffing the curtains, I checked them out and saw markings of many male dogs from before him. We tied the curtains up out of the way so they would be less of a temptation.
• Think about what you’ll be doing on your vacation. When we know we are going to spend a lot of time walking around, going for hikes, hanging out on the patio with our dogs, we like to bring them. If we are going to a place where we are going to spend a lot of time in spaces that aren’t dog friendly (such as hot springs, restaurants etc.) we leave the dogs at home with a dog sitter.
• Think about the time of year you are travelling. We like to travel with our dogs particularly in the spring and fall when the weather is nice and they can be outside with us for extended periods of time. We tend to head out in the morning with the dogs, and we’ll be out adventuring for hours at a time, so we need to know it won’t be too hot for the dogs to walk with us for hours.
• Read ahead about dog-friendly locations in the places you are visiting. We have found that coffee shops and breweries are the best options for eating out with dogs. Restaurants, even with patios, tend to not be very accommodating to dogs.

Tips for hoteliers: How to truly welcome dogs (and their people)

Over time, we’ve noticed a few simple touches that make a huge difference. If you’re a hotelier hoping to create an amazing experience for guests with dogs, here’s our wish list:

• Skip the “no dogs on furniture” rule. We travel with clean, well-behaved pups — and let’s be honest, they’re going to sneak up for cuddles anyway. 
• Provide a welcome bag. The best we’ve received included a towel, some treats, and a list of local dog parks and trails. The list of parks and trails helps a lot when we are in an unfamiliar area. 
• Share your local pet-friendly spots. A list of nearby restaurants, cafés, and breweries that welcome dogs goes a long way. 
• Have a designated dog-walking area on your property, and a garbage bin somewhere close by. It makes life easier for everyone, and it also helps keep your property tidy.
• Keep treats at the front desk. Mikki and Merlot can sniff them out from a mile away. When front desk staff reward them with a treat, it can go a long way.
• Offer dog dishes and beds. These small gestures make your four-legged guests feel truly cared for. 
• Don’t go overboard on the pet fees. Is it really necessary to charge $35 plus tax per pet per night? Add on a damage deposit, so if the pet damages something, the damage deposit can cover it.   

Some final thoughts

“I’m just here for the beach walks, the belly rubs, and that cozy spot at the end of the bed. Ten out of ten — would travel again.”

Merlot

Travelling with dogs doesn’t have to be stressful — not when you find places that genuinely welcome them.

These hotels and resorts across B.C. have given us countless memories with Mikki and Merlot, and they remind us that hospitality is about connection, care, and a warm welcome — for every member of the family.  

If you’ve found a hotel that went above and beyond for your furry companions, we’d love to hear about it. Share your favourites in the comments, because the more we celebrate truly dog-friendly places, the more of them there will be.