At a loss-

I am moving to Florida and have to be there on January 6 for a NEW job and my dog is coming with me so I am trying to figure out what I need to do so he and I are comfortable on the trip as we are stopping for the night in Covington, KY to visit family on the way.

Does anyone have ideas for good hotels that are dog-friendly, reasonable priced, and near the interstate for easier entry and exit? This is the first and (hopefully) last time I am doing relocation and excited to get this job.

pamfoster1199 - are you looking for somewhere in Florida, or in Covington? If Florida, please tell us where and what interstate and we can perhaps advise you. In general, a La Quinta will be pet friendly. Here is a link to their policy: https://www.bringfido.com/blog/la-quinta-pet-policy/

I can’t recommend any personally but you can scroll through these.

https://www.bringfido.com/lodging/city/covington_ky_us/

Make sure to ask about pet fees. Sometimes they’re hefty and not mentioned on the web sites. If you ever travel to cities with your dog, I highly recommend the Kimpton chain. In the suburbs we’ve used Homewood Suites and been happy with them. I don’t see one listed in Covington, though.

We’ve traveled to Florida several times with our dog and have not had any trouble finding pet friendly hotels/motels along any of the major Interstates. In our experience just about every major hotel/motel chains allow pets.

All you really have to do is figure out approximately where you plan to stop for the night and do a quick Google search on your Smartphone using a topic such as “pet friendly hotels in NAME OF TOWN” and you’ll find plenty of links or just Google a list of hotels near your planned stopping point and call to ask if they accept pets - if so make a reservation. As I said in dozens of trips, each requiring multiple nights lodging we found just about every hotel/motel was pet friendly. FYI - Some places do require a small “pet” fee.

Motel 6 generally allows pets. They do have an excellent cancellation policy, and are usually near the Interstates and inexpensive. I recommend bringing your own towels and toiletries as that is one place that they skimp. Look for the renovated ones. Sometimes they have elevators but usually they are walk up two story motels.

Note that you are not allowed to leave your pet alone in the room without you.

We mostly stayed in La Quinta with our dog. There were a lot of other pets there! They are usually close to interstates. Price depends on location, some are under $100, the newer ones can be be around $140. Discount with AAA,

Check on hotels.com for places to stay at a discount.

Sleep Inn, Macon Georgia is clean , comfortable and has a nice pet area outside with cleanup bags. Usually very reasonably priced even with the $20 pet fee. There is a cracker barrel and a Chik Fil A nearby and it's very easy on/off the freeway about halfway between Covington and central Florida.

The cheaper chains usually allows pets always (Red Roof, Motel 6, etc.). And La Quinta always does but I don't think they are that common on that route, could be wrong. Otherwise, I would not agree that "most" chain hotels on interstates allow pets. I travel on them once or twice a month and specifically look for ones that do not allow them, as I really dislike being in a hotel with dogs as they are invariably barking and often left alone, even if not allowed. Even in some places you might expect they'd always take them, they don't, luckily. I'd say only about half do. Hampton Inns usually do not. HolidayInn Express and Quality Inns some do, some don't (the HIE in COvington does not). I think Days Inn and Comfort Inns usually do. It seems like a lot of suite hotels take pets, but the Fairfield Inn and Suites nad Home2 south of CIncinnati airport do not (Florence or Covington, not sure).

I agree it is not the case that "most" chain hotels allow pets. I must have been lucky, though, I've never been subjected to barking dogs.

LaQuintas.

The one in Chattanooga near the Cracker Barrel is very nice, VERY clean (one of the cleanest hotels I've ever been in) and has a nice little dog park on the property. Highly recommend. About midway from Covington to Jacksonville (my end point since I don't know where yours is).