Dog-Friendly Ritz-Carlton Helps Pets in Need

Among its many dog-friendly services, the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch offers guests the opportunity to interact with its resident Labrador retriever, Bachelor.

Friends who can’t bear time away from their beloved pooches have told us that traveling with a pet can have its challenges, from figuring out how to transport a pup to finding a pet-friendly hotel. But even when accommodations are located, what is there for a dog to actually do at a resort? The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch has come up with a solution that will not only make your life easier and your pooch happier, but will help less fortunate dogs as well.

The hotel — located on Beaver Creek Mountain in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, where guests can ski, golf and relax at the on-site spa — now offers a wide variety of pampering services for its four-legged visitors. These include freshfetch organic and all-natural gourmet puppy chow available for in-room orders, as well as the loaning of pet supplies, such as food and water bowls and an overstuffed dog bed. Canine-friendly retail items, including leashes and doggie raincoats, can be found at the resort’s gift shop.

“Doggie Daybreak & Twilight” guided hikes are also available so you and your pet can get some exercise. Plus there are “Fido’s Spa & Fitness” in-room doggie massage services ($75 for 25 minutes), where a therapist works to ease your pup’s muscle tension and soothe his aching joints, finishing with a light spritz bath. In addition, a VIP (Very Important Pooch) handbook is provided that lists the names of area pet-friendly restaurants, nearby dog parks and a directory of local veterinarians, pet supply stores, and doggie day-care and grooming services.

For guests traveling without a furry friend or for those who seek a temporary canine commitment, the hotel offers a complimentary Loan-A-Lab hiking program: The resort’s resident Labrador retriever, Bachelor, is available for visitors to take on 30-minute or one-hour hikes or snowshoeing on designated trails. Though a reservation to hike with Bachelor is required through the concierge, you’ll get a chance to meet him, as he greets guests in the lobby from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Through November, the resort will also help animals in need by donating $25 of the $125-per-stay dog fee to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The ASPCA’s fight against inhumane treatment of animals includes such actions as raiding puppy mills, assisting in the animal rescue efforts after natural disasters and, most recently, providing funds to teams responding to animal emergencies resulting from the Gulf Coast oil spill.

Other hotels that offer dog- and cat-friendly services include Loews Hotels, which offer an array of pet supplies and a pet room-service menu; Kimpton Hotels, which have special pet packages that include food, dog-walking services and chew toys; and Starwood W Hotels, which will provide leashes, cleanup bags and pet first-aid kits upon request.

For more tips on pet travel, check out “Your Pet’s Travel Advisory” in the May/June issue of VIVmag. Have you ever brought your a pet on vacation?

Tags: Agriculture, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty, Beaver Creek Mountain, Breeding, Colorado, Disaster/Accident, Dog breeding, Dog breeds, Dog park, Dogs, Fido’s Spa, Flat-Coated Retriever, food, Gulf Coast, Hospitality/Recreation, Human Interest, in-room doggie massage services, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, Labrador Retriever, Loews Hotels Holding Corp, oil spill, pet travel, Puppy, retail items, Ritz-Carlton, Rocky Mountains, Starwood W Hotels, therapist, USD