In looking up European hotel websites, I have noticed that many of them indicate that pets are welcome. In Australia, pets are definitely not allowed in hotels and I was wondering if this is common in Europe (and whether they are allowed in USA hotels).
Has anyone stayed in a hotel where pets are allowed, and was it noticeable that pets had stayed in the room?

Are you traveling with a pet yourself, or are you concerned about staying in a room after someone ELSE has been there with a pet?

Dear lonhro,
Are you allergic? That may cause problems but, otherwise, assuming that the housekeeping services are adequate, I don't think you would ever notice. Are you planning on staying at a 4 star property? In this case, you need not worry. And, yes, hotels in the US allow pets as well, several chains in particular (Marriott for one) but it is not as common as in Europe, where pets are given many more privileges.

We travel with our dog (English cocker) all the time--have stayed in many hotels in Europe, mostly in the Accor group (our favorites so far are the Mercure Centre in Angers, France and the non-Accor Hofwirt Hotel in the beautiful little village of Seckau, Austria).
It's a fact of life that pets are accepted in most European hotels--few people put up any objection. We never leave our dog alone in the room, FYI.
BTilke (Brussels)

One of my biggest fears when hiring a property or a room is whether the previous occupant has had a pet in the room.
I and many others have a serious allergy to pets which would really destroy the trip.
If travellers must take pets always ensure the hotel allows it. In my experience in the UK pets are not generally allowed; however in some B&B the owners have pets that get in all the rooms !!
AAAAACCHHHHOOOOOOO !!

Muck

We bring our cat on trips around the UK, and stay in hotels or b&b that allow pets (although most have never encountered a cat on holiday). Johanssens listed hotels generally allow for pets but they are in the higher end of the price range and some of them have pets that 'share' the hotel with the guests. It seems like most low/mid range b&bs do not allow pets.

There are now 2 books out for 'pet friendly b&b/hotels' for UK - one by the AA even.

I'm sure it need not be told, but if you have pet-related allergies, always check with the hotel/b&b first. Most of them have allocated rooms for guests who bring pets.

I wish more hotels in the US allowed pets but at least some Holiday Inns allow them as well as Comfort Suites. Last weekend we took our dog with us to Hilton Head and I expected them to give us a smoking room because of the dog but they didn't and I didn't find the room had any pet odour what so ever.

We travel in the states with our pet occassionaly---

Trish- AAA has a book that you can purchase that lists the hotels in all the cities that accept pets..We keep it in the car when we travel..

Some Marriotts,Comfort Inns,La Quintas and an occasional Holiday Inn accept pets..The fancier hotels, like the Ritz Carlton,do not....

In Europe, even in the super fancy hotels, pets are accepted..We went for drinks in the bar of a fancy hotel at the Place Vendome and someone had the most adorable WELL MANNERED cocker spaniel....You will also see pets in restaurants (underneath the tables) in France and Germany...I have not seen this in England....and have not encountered it in Italy ( but it could have just been the hotel where we were staying)...

If you are allergic, tell the hotel when booking and I am sure they will try to make sure no pet has stayed in your room prior to your arrival....

Not sure about restaurants.....but I frequently see dogs in pubs, here in the UK. A lot of pubs serve food, so I guess that counts as a restaurant.

Andy, the Four Seasons chain does accept pets, they certainly fit in the "fancier" category.
I wonder why Europeans have such a low incidence of smoking and pet allergies, or at least a lower incidence of allergies so severe that others must accommodate them. They seem to be able to tolerate so many things that nonEuropeans can't.

BTilke-

Thanks for the heads up on the Four Seasons- My pet will love the upscale accommodations!!