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What's with dogs and hotels?
Hi there!! I've been doing a lot of searching for hotels around the Lake District and can only find hotels that allow dogs or small animals. Did anybody find this off putting as well? Is this the norm throughout Italy?<BR>Thanks<BR>
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Hi once again<BR>Yes you are right, it is very much the norm, you will probably find every hotel welcomes dogs and no, I don't approve of it at all. While staying in Innsbruck an italian family brought their dog to the breakfast room and this I thought was the absolutle last straw. So prepare yourself.<BR>In my country dogs are forbidden from all hotels and B & B's, farm stays might be a different matter.
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Should have clarified, I know Innsbruck is Austria, ha ha but it was the same in both countries.
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Thanks Kathy. That's shocking. I suppose we'll have to put up with. Not much good though if you're allergic to them.<BR>
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I don't find it off-putting. I don't have a dog but I have 2 cats and am an animal lover. I think it's great that people can travel with their pets and not have to put them in kennels or find someone to care for them.<BR><BR>However, I do understand that for people who are allergic, this can obviously be a problem. When in England, one of the B&Bs had a resident cat, and I thought it was very charming.<BR><BR>I'd keep searching, though. Not everyone wants animals around in hotels, and I would think there are at least some that don't allow them. Good luck!
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Hi ryanmk,<BR> I'm afraid that you are going to find that the European attitude toward pets is totally different from that of Americans.<BR><BR> Dogs are permitted in restaurants, but you will notice that they are very well behaved and usually lie under the table and don't bother anyone.<BR><BR> OTOH, you rarely find squalling babies.<BR><BR> It's just one of those cultural differences.<BR>
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One other thing to be aware of: If a hotel or B & B in Europe says "no animals", it's probably because the owners have their own pets on site and don't want them to have to deal with strange animals.<BR><BR>So even a "no pets" policy doesn't mean that there won't be animals there already, although of course, they probably won't be in your room.
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I love dogs but am allergic to cats therefore I would not like to share a room that a cat had been in. When in Paris we love to see the dogs in the restaurants. I wish that we could do that in the US but most of them would need to go back to school to learn how to act. The hotel in Paris we stay in had a little dog but the last time we were there the dog was not there. I really missed seeing him! I guess to each their own.
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Ryan- Our BnB in Grasmere had Great Danes-as the owners used to show the animals-- While they were allowed in the home, the owners normally kept the pets with them in their home 2 doors away---<BR><BR>In France, we have seen dogs in hotel,bars, and restaurants---the same with Germany.<BR><BR>And like another post said, they were extrememly well behaved and stay under the table....<BR><BR>People in Europe do treat their animals ( at least their dogs) as members of their family and take them everywhere...<BR><BR>Unless you are allergic, it has never been a negative to me as I am a dog lover and travel with my pet in the US whenever we drive on a long trip...I hate to think she would be confined to a 2 x 3 cage for 2 weeks while I am out enjoying myself...LOL
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Even though I've traveled in France a lot, I have actually never seen a dog in a restaurant. It doesn't seem that common to me.<BR><BR>I dislike dogs, but luckily haven't had too much trouble in hotels having them. I am not allergic to anything but the reason I don't want them in hotels is the same reason I don't like them that much in general -- they bark and can be very noisy and bark a lot. I think it is extremely inconsiderate for people to take animals that can be noisy to hotels. I had the misfortune of being in a room next to a couple with a dog in Nice and it barked a lot.
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In my more than 15 trips to Italy, visiting a number of cities, I've never met a dog in a hotel. While dogs are welcome at the hotels you cite, most travelers choose to leave them home. You might be similarly surprised if you checked the pets-welcome policies of various hotels closer to home.
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ryanmk - if European customs upset you so much, then don't go to Europe. If you do go don't bitch about their customs. Instead consider Korea, or SE Asia where they eat dogs.
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I had to giggle at the most recent reply, but I recently travelled through Italy and was delighted to see how much the Italians treasured their dogs. They take them everywhere, including restaurants, stores and even offices. <BR><BR>When I travel, these are the things I am seeking to learn - e.g., how other people live. If this is not your goal or you are travelling for business, I suggest checking with a travel agency (American Express comes to mind) who specializes in business travel. Having stayed at some of these hotels throughout my limited travels, they generally take on a more generic (bland!) milieu.
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I love the "cafe dogs" in France, and we also encounted dogs in some restaurants in Venice. Italians seem to love dogs as much as the French, probably one of the reasons I like both cultures. At the Antico Capon, on Campo Santa Margherita in Venice, the owner's cute little bassoto (dachshund) was wandering around, making friends, and we didn't find that off-putting at all (if the cute little fella would've tried to lunge for our pizza, that would have been a different matter. :) <BR><BR>Dogs in restaurants have one great redeeming quality over humans in restaurants: they don't smoke!
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In California it's not unusual to see people bring their dogs with them when shopping, dining, or at hotels. I don't think this is something that's limited to Europe. A large percentage of the high end hotels in San Francisco allow dogs and so do the rental homes and cabins surrounding lake areas and other 'weekend' getaway locations. Many restaurants with outdoor seating allow them throughout the state. If we go on a road trip, we usually bring our dogs and have very little difficulty finding places to stay and dine with them. Lots of places even cater to them by providing biscuits, dishes, towels, and 'babysitting' services. Quite a few can be seen in department stores as well!
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In Austria they cheerfully allow dogs in most hotels, inns, retaurants and cafes.<BR>I think it is a wonderful practice and I hope they continue to do so. If you are allergic, you have my sympathy and should try to find somewhere that they don't. If you just don't approve then you have an attitude problem and should go to Disneyland instead.
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This is an interesting issue. As our upcoming trip becomes closer in time, I'm considering posting and asking for hotels that have dogs. I'm a big doglover and miss my dog when we travel and am so glad to be able to pet and talk with friendly dogs. <BR><BR>Some of my fondest memories are of the dogs I met--the St. Bernard at the Villa de Belvedere in Florence and the Great Pyrenees at the Continental in Barcelona. Although my French, Italian, and Spanish are limited, I have learned how to say "May I pet your dog" in each language. Not only do I get to met the dog, but it's a nice well to get to talk with the dog's person as well. Doglovers all over seem to relate to each other. <BR><BR>I have to admit it was pretty funny when I asked a man in a French cafe if I could pet his dog and the woman sitting next to him responded in English, "You can pet him too."<BR><BR>Don't worry,ryan--most dogs are smarter than some people and they know when someone doesn't like them and will stay away from you.
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Another huge dog lover here!! It is common throughout parts of the US as well, at least in Seattle, to allow dogs inside banks, bookstores, some clothing/shoe stores, even some cafes!<BR><BR>It is usually dependent on whether the dog is well-behaved or not. Happy to say, my dog was. Trained him to volunteer in a nursing home, and they adored him. <BR><BR>I respected people's boundaries about him, and anytime anyone expressed concern or mentioned they were allergic, I quickly brought him outside.<BR><BR>Anyway, sadly, he is no longer here, so I hope I run into some of our furry friends on my upcoming trip to Italy, as I have in the past. Met a woman in Milan 2 years ago, because of her dog, and we are still in touch!<BR>
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In Paris last year, came across a restaurant that allows dogs, yet not children. I embrace these cultural differences as they make for a more interesting journey.
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<BR>I feel the way Capo does, dogs are fine with me as long as they don't smoke!<BR>We saw so many dogs in Paris, "cafe dogs", they are so used to people hurrying by, they ignore everyone, they are so cool!<BR>Unfortunately, in the US there are all of these rules and regulations. Dogs can not go into an establishment that sells food. My dog cannot go into the video store because they sell popcorn and candy. But in NYC, he can sit at any outdoor cafe.<BR>In B&B's, when owners have dogs, rarely do those dogs go into guest rooms, they usually hang out downstairs or outside. <BR>My goal is still to get my Pup to be well behaved enough to go shopping with him in Barneys:)
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At both the See Hotel Gruner Baum in Hallstatt and the Roter Hahn HOtel in Rothenburg, the owners' family pet(s) could be seen lounging in the hotel, rather ambivalous to all the attention they were generating from guests. I love dogs and was glad to see how welcomed they were in hotels and restaurants when we lived in Austria. I only took mine (2 small terriers) on vacation with us once -- to Abtenau over Christmas -- and it worked out great. They were very well behaved and it only cost a few shillings more for them to stay in the room with us. While my husband was skiing, the dogs and I explored the town!
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artlover,<BR>Your comment reminded me of the dog we met at the Jamaica Inn this past December. Their resident black lab, Shadow, 'adopted' us for our stay and followed us everywhere, napping on our veranda while we had tea or breakfast. It was great to have her around during our stay and I have lots of pictures or her.
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I think a few posters here have missed the plot. I also love animals but I do not want to have one around me in a hotel at breakfast in a public area. If I go to a restaurant I can choose whether to stay or not if there are dogs inside.<BR>A number of people mentioned owners of the hotel or B & B with pets, that is quite different as usually they will not be allowed into a guest's room anyway.<BR>Incidentally to all of you who so longingly want to go to Florence which I also love, remember to look down and not up or you will be stepping right in it. Even the receptionist at my hotel told me he thought the problem was out of control now and something needs to be done about it as in Paris where the sand rings around the trees have mostly done away with the problem.<BR>The silly american who brought his cat on the plane all the way to Austria last year and kept it in his room is a quite different story and one that was leaving everyone at the hotel quite incredulous. You can imagine how the cat was enjoying this experience - NOT!!!<BR>Every thing has it's place as they say.
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KathyNZ- I don't ever remember having to watch my step in Florence...except once in Piazza della Signoria because of the horses. <BR><BR>Christina-Interesting that you remember the one time a dog kept you up. I agree it would have been annoying. However, I can't count how many times I have been lying awake because of the noise in hallways, upstairs, next door, caused by those who claim to be a higher species. Through my travels, I have encountered many obnoxious people, yet not one obnoxious dog. <BR>
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Melissa<BR>Then go there again and cover a large area of Florence on foot and you will then agree with what I have said.
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We rarely travel with our dog, which makes me a little sad. But she's a herding breed and highly reactive--a leaf falling from a tree is cause for noisy concern from her. She's been through all sorts of training classes and has even earned her Canine Good Citizen award from the AKC, but because of her breed, she will always be a bit of an annoyance to those who don't like barking (we can shush her quickly, but it's a bark that could rouse the dead). The only way I would travel with her would be if we had some isolation from other guests--individual cabins, or something like that.<BR><BR>When we're away, I miss our animals so much that I definitely seek out dogs and cats (and hotels with dogs and cats). Just off the top of my head, thinking of Paris, the Champs du Mars, Hotel Monge, and Hotel de Banville all have sweet, well-behaved dogs--very used to guests, very used to minding their own business. <BR><BR>When we were in Provence last year, a dog adopted us. He would go into restaurants with us, and sleep under our hotel window. It was so hard to say goodbye! (although I suspect this whole "adopt-a-tourist" act was a routine that he perfected just in order to mooch food. . . )<BR><BR>
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Here's an idea: my husband says we should move to Europe and start a business called "Rent-A-Dog" for American tourists who want to look European. For an extra fee (and after a background check) you could even rent our little pup--a little shaggy white charmer (a foundling of no discernible breed) who would certainly take Paris by storm!
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elle, we are dog lovers also. When my son was trekking through Nepal one year, he was also adopted by a local dog. Being on his own and at times, not feeling great, he found comfort in that shaggy dog faithfully following him every where he went. He said that when it was time to move on, he really hated to say goodby!<BR>
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Byrd, what a great idea! If you really do this, make sure you let us know. I'll certainly be one of your customers. <BR><BR>Another thought on this--several single women have posted that they are concerned about travelling alone. Well, this would be a perfect solution for them as well. Not many people are going to bother a woman with a large dog at her side!
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KathyNZ, it's not like the dogs are sitting at the breakfast table! They are usually under their owner's chair and very inconspicuous (sp?). Anyway, like you said, you can always leave...
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Kate2 - I can understand your son's feelings. While on a 2 year stint as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Poland my daughter was befriended by a stray who initiated the encounter by popping out of a snow bank - assuming the play posture- then dashing away. All the locals said he was vicious and would throw stones at him. Over a few weeks he would linger longer before running away - before long he would follow her home to see where she lived. Then one day he followed her up the stairs to her one room apartment and had his first real meal and curled up on the sofa and slept for a good 24 hours. From that day forward they were inseparable. When she called to ask if she could bring him home with her I asked if she really wanted to, her reply was "Dad, I saved this dogs life, and he has saved mine - I owe it to him." Dexter is now a Polish ex-pat enjoying life and love in America.
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CharlieB, what a beautiful story! Really warmed my heart. Thank you. And kudos to your daughter for rescuing Dexter. Dogs (cats too, for the cat people) sure are he greatest companions, aren't they? Sigh. My guy (who I also rescued) has been gone for three months and I miss him terribly.<BR>
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Kate2 and CharlieB--great stories!<BR><BR>Dolcevita--I am so sorry. I know the void that they can leave. But I also know that every animal you have ever loved will live on in every other animal you come to love. . . <BR>
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Charlie B,<BR> obviously you and your daughter are among those gifted with very big hearts!<BR> And lucky Dexter! <BR>Dolcevita, my little cat died a couple of years ago-he was 18, and I still miss him very much. It is so true about love living on in other animals, we now have a dog and wonder how we lived without him!
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I absolutely love to see all the dogs in Paris - so beautiful and well-behaved. It makes me like the French people more, seeing the dogs in restaurants, lying down quietly while their owners enjoy their meal. I'm glad the hear that the Italians treat their dogs the same! While traveling, I have had many great conversations with people whose dogs attracted me to them.<BR>I love it when there is a hotel "house dog". I agree with another poster, if you are annoyed by dogs, you probably won't enjoy Europe - maybe SE Asia is for you!
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I wish I could take my dog with me to any hotel. My dog is more acceptible than some people's kids.
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Elle and Kate2: I haven't been online in a few days so I was curious to check if there were any new comments re: our much loved dog (and cat) friends.<BR><BR>I was genuinely touched to read your kind words. Thank you so much for your tender thoughts and warm sentiment. <BR><BR>I always missed my dog so much while travelling. That's one reason why I so loved seeing dogs in hotels and restaurants, and even at a Buddhist monastery in Nepal! <BR>
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charlyb - I live in a small little country called Ireland. You might have heard of it or maybe not? It happens to be in Europe so it's very convenient for me to 'go to Europe'. So you see I know European customs very well and respect them. I also respect hygiene and I don't believe having dogs in Hotels or near food is hygienic. I agree with some of the more intelligent posters' comments on dogs compared to some children and smoking though. I'd be very grateful, charlyb, if you also didn't tell me where I should or shouldn't go on my trips.
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charlieb: I loved you're post - you must be very proud to have such a caring daughter. You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat their animals.
ryanmk: You say "I know European customs VERY WELL and I respect them" but it sounds to me like you haven't travelled that much otherwise you wouldn't be so surprised by other people's customs. The Irish love their animals (my mother grew up in Ireland) and historically they have always lived with their animals. What is so unhygenic about a dog being in a hotel? It's obvious that you do not care for animals and I too feel you would be much happier vacationing in Asia than in Europe. |
I'd rather have the small animals alive rather than the live chickens that were butchered by others on our hotel floor last year in munich.
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