Alberta’s Hotels, Inns and Lodges are More Pet-Friendly Than Ever

Expect some serious puppy love at these places

The idea of bringing along your pet on a holiday has become so common in Alberta that hotels are offering everything from dog-walking services to welcome gifts, doggie beds and food bowls. There are even special menus for your fur baby.

This pro-pet trend began pre-pandemic, says Erin Ballinger, destinations editor for the website BringFido.com, but has accelerated in the past year as people have resumed travelling.

"Hotels are converting to pet-friendly, and those that already were, are offering special incentives to dog owners," she says. "Because of the rise of vacation rental companies, there are more pet-friendly lodging options than ever."

Here's a list of some lodges, inns and hotels that will happily welcome you and your pooch. Keep in mind, your dog must be on a leash and should not be left alone in your room.

National park mountain towns

Banff

There's no problem finding a place to stay for you and your pet when you arrive for hiking, mountain views, shopping and dining in Banff. Accommodations at all price points welcome doggies, including the Banff Springs Hotel ($50 per night), which also offers pet-sitting services. Other dog-friendly hotels are Tunnel Mountain Resort, which also has stand-alone cabins, Moose Hotel and Suites, Elk and Avenue Hotel and the Fox Hotel. Each charge a $25 cleaning fee, but your pooch will also get their own bed, treats, bowls and a take-home toy.

Jasper

Taking a road trip to the beautiful mountain town of Jasper, set in Jasper National Park, is on just about everyone's bucket list. Don't hesitate to bring along your four-legged friend to this haven in the Canadian Rockies, with acres of untouched wilderness. There is a long list of lodges, cabins, inns and hotels that accept pets.

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, for example, takes puppy love seriously. It has "canine ambassadors," consisting of the loveable duo of Calla and Stanley. The lodge also equips dogs with a cushy bed, pet dishes and a welcome treat for $50 per night. Guests will also receive a handy pet amenities brochure which lists local hiking trails and other pet-friendly places in and around the town. If you really want to spoil Spot, the JPL has an exclusive pet menu that includes steamed salmon and veggies, chicken or a plant-based meal.

There are many more options to tuck in with your pet in Jasper. Check out more pet-friendly accommodations in Jasper.

Waterton

The hamlet of Waterton, set in southwestern Alberta's Waterton Lakes National Park, is a beautiful base for canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding the upper and lower lakes. It also has many hiking trails. Waterton is smaller than the other national park towns, but there are two pet-friendly hotels in the townsite. The Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort and the Bayshore Inn & Spa both have designated rooms for your travelling pet and charge a nightly fee.

Charming Inns of Alberta

If you've never stayed at one of the Charming Inns of Alberta, you and your pet are in for a treat. The inns are located in the Rockies, central and southern Alberta, and most of these establishments are happy to welcome you and your pet with advance notice. Here's an abbreviated list of dog-friendly places.

Mount Engadine Lodge, Kananaskis Country

Just a short drive from Canmore in Spray Valley Provincial Park, Mount Engadine offers several dog-friendly cabins. Your buddy is also welcome in the common areas of the main lodge, including the deck that overlooks snow-capped mountains.

Baker Creek Mountain Resort, Lake Louise

The chalet-style cabins and suites at Baker Creek are the perfect base for exploring the trails and scenery of Banff National Park and Lake Louise with your pooch for hours, all year round. There are also fire pits and barbecues on site.

Prairie Creek Inn, Rocky Mountain House

When you really want to get away from it all for a chill weekend, Prairie Creek specializes in kicking back and relaxing in a suite, cottage or cabin, set on 60 acres of boreal forest and meadow. The creek is known as an excellent fishing spot. Pets are welcome by reservation. The inn, which is located 17 km (11 mi) from Rocky Mountain House, offers special two-night packages, like the Sip, Savour and Snuggle.

Heartwood Inn, Drumheller

Explore the otherworldly landscapes of the Canadian Badlands with your canine companion and then head to the Heartwood Inn, on the edge of the city of Drumheller. The inn offers pet-friendly guest houses with barbecues and fire pits.

Edmonton And Calgary

Both of Alberta's biggest cities have tons of options for crashing with your fur baby at hotels and motels. Check BringFido.ca for a list of pet-friendly hotels in Edmonton and Calgary.

Other helpful links

Apps like Rover.com list local pet-sitters in cities and towns across Canada, including Alberta.

Albertan Victoria Stewart's 100,000-follower Instagram account (@justbeingfarley) offers tips and inspiration for dog-friendly adventures featuring her Australian Shepherd, Farley.