Top Picks

Pied-a-terres with Pets

By: Alex Swanson

One could be considered loony, lonely or even loco if they booked a hotel based its resident pet. But—puppies. Need I say more? So, without further ado, here’s a list of hotels that come with the best amenity ever: loveable pets. 

Montage Deer Valley

Carving up the slopes at Montage Deer Valley’s is a seasonal requirement for any powder hound. 45 minutes north of Salt Lake City, the property is actually ski-in/ski-out, the spa is gigantic and acclaimed, rooms are the mountain’s largest and arguably most stylish: modern palazzo meets full-on log-cabin. Yet none of these are Montage’s top selling point. No, no, that honor goes to Monty and Park, the resident Bernese Mountain concierge dogs, who wag tails at guests twice daily.

The Jefferson

As the name of this D.C. staple promises, the 99-room Jefferson features many nods to one of America’s Founding Fathers. There are 18th-Century maps outlining his wine country travels and tons of signed original documents around—and then there’s Lord Monticello, the belly rub-loving resident beagle named after Jefferson’s Virginia estate. After being saved by PAW Rescue in 2014, Monti permanently checked into the hotel and now serves as the hotel’s Executive Canine Officer / spokesperson for the hotel’s dog-friendly attitude (pups are pampered almost as luxuriously as guests). Fun fact: he’s running for President in 2020 and, given D.C.’s current state, he’s got our vote #Monti4prez!

Relais Borgo Santo Pietro

A member of Conde Nast’s “Gold List,” Relais Borgo Santo Pietro is a masterpiece of Baroque revival. It’s set inside a 13th-Century villa and decorated with candelabras, patinated mirrors and carved fireplaces—yet, Borgo would rather flaunt its farm-to-table ethos—they try to grow everything on their expansive estate: herbs, vegetables and, unexpectedly, wool. Not any old wool though. Borgo is home to a bunch of wooly-faced alpacas! If your little ones like playing with friendly beasts as much as you appreciate first-class Chianti, start packing your bags!

Le Bristol

Le Bristol is one of Paris’s most well-manicured grand dames. It’s Old World extravagance is second to none: period Louis XVI furnishings, 19th-Century paintings, toile wallpapering—all lit by crystal chandeliers. France’s top-tier aristocrats, like Fa-Raon and Kleopatre, stay here. No, those aren’t zany designers; they’re the concierge cats, lounging on centuries-old chairs or rubbing against antique wallpapers, though Kleopatre happens to be summering at

Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa right now. Both are bejeweled with Goyard bow-tie collars (complete with Christofle medal) and they reside in a private apartment designed by street artist Zenk.

Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco

Ah, Tuscany. There’s many a reason to fall in love with the vineyard-blanketed hills. We can now add two more: Mary and Rose, the chocolate and white labrador pups of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco. This Rosewood is set in central Tuscany, about 45 minutes south of Siena, and occupies an on old Medieval borgo in the heart of the Brunello region. Estate-sourced vintages and a 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed private golf course are just some of the amenities guests here will enjoy. Yet, without a doubt, the jaw-stopping sight is the little fluffballs rolling around—next to baroque flower pots and neat hedgerows. Catch ‘em before they grow up!