<\/p>\n
FILE 2019: hotel owners Jonathan Plutznik Lesley Goldwasserin posed with their dogs Betsy (left) and Kate in the lobby of their hotel where they have created an art salon in with regular exhibitions, talks and meetings, in Miami Beach on Thursday August 15, 2019.<\/p>\n
Pedro Portal<\/p>\n
Miami Herald File<\/p>\n
Check into The Betsy hotel in Miami Beach and you may be greeted by two resident goldendoodles. The message: Dogs feel seen here.<\/p>\n
The latest competition in luxury hospitality is no longer just penthouse suites, in-house Michelin-starred restaurants or private butlers.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the family dog.<\/p>\n
As affluent travelers increasingly refuse to leave pets behind, luxury hotels are escalating an amenities arms race that now includes gourmet canine room service, pet concierges, spa treatments, dog butlers and walks to nearby parks.<\/p>\n
The shift is especially evident in Miami, where hotels are competing to cater to the wealthy travelers who expect every member of the family \u2014 including the four-legged ones \u2014 to enjoy five-star treatment.<\/p>\n
Industry experts say for luxury hotels, the movement has evolved beyond simply being \u201cpet friendly.\u201d And the Michelin Guide has identified luxury pet travel as one of hospitality\u2019s fastest-growing segments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe call it canine hospitality,\u201d said Guise Bule, CEO of Roch Dog,<\/a> an independent organization that evaluates more than 3,000 hotels in 56 countries and rates their dog service. Joining Roch in ranking hotels is the Dog Friendly Hotel Association,<\/a> a nonprofit membership body that represents hotels that welcome dogs, and not just tolerate them.<\/p>\n \u201cAlmost every hotel in Miami will let a dog through the door for a fee. That is not hospitality \u2014 that is tolerance,\u201d Bule said. \u201cCanine hospitality is when the dog is treated as a guest.\u201d<\/p>\n Bule said Miami has emerged as one of the world\u2019s leading destinations for dog-friendly luxury travel.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is definitely a trend in the hospitality business and Miami is one of the strongest dog-friendly hotel markets in the world,\u201d he said. \u201cWe expect more Miami properties to chase this standard, but they\u2019ll have to earn it.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Bule, hotels cannot pay for the organizations\u2019 coveted \u201ccanine hospitality\u201d designation.<\/p>\n Leading the way is Miami\u2019s five-star InterContinental hotel, which Roch Dog has named its 2026 Hotel of the Year<\/a> after independently evaluating more than 70 criteria, including pet policies and whether dogs are genuinely welcomed in restaurants, bars and public spaces.<\/p>\n The downtown Miami hotel recently introduced \u201cRocco,\u201d an AI-powered virtual canine concierge that connects guests to dog-friendly restaurants, parks, waterfront walking paths and other pet-focused experiences throughout Miami. Accessible by QR code or WhatsApp, the concierge also provides recommendations on the hotel\u2019s pet amenities and services.<\/p>\n Soon, canine guests will also be able to order from an in-room dining menu featuring premium dog meals like organic chicken plates and steak bowls, all served on luxury mats.<\/p>\n At check-in, dogs receive plush beds, gourmet treats from Miami-based Yum Pup, custom InterContinental bandanas and curated guides to the city\u2019s best pet-friendly attractions.<\/p>\n The hotel is also expanding its pet-focused lifestyle programming.<\/p>\n On Aug. 26, which is National Dog Day, the hotel\u2019s its weekly Paws Patio event will become an \u201cEnd of Summer Paaawty,\u201d complete with a doggie pool, sprinklers, complimentary pup cups and tropical-themed festivities for canine guests and their owners.<\/p>\n InterContinental isn\u2019t the only South Florida luxury hotel catering to affluent pet owners, who are paying between $80 and $300 for their dog\u2019s curated stay.<\/p>\n Loews hotels in Coral Gables and South Beach both offer upscale pet programs. Same at W Miami and W South Beach, where canine guests are offered premium pet amenities.<\/p>\n The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort\u2019<\/a>s \u201cBring Fido,\u201d program goes a step further by introducing guests to its two resident goldendoodles, Jack and Maddie, who greet arriving visitors.<\/p>\n ![\"InterContinental](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/741523694_1341164448217931_2490024020180170780_n.jpg\" "\\"741523694_1341164448217931_2490024020180170780_n.jpg\\"")
InterContinental hotel in Miami advertises its special accommodations for dogs. This year, the hotel won the 2026 Canine Hospitality Award by Roch Dog. InterContinental Miami\/ Roche Dog <\/p>\n![\"At](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1.jpg\" "\\"1.jpg\\"")
At The Betsy hotel on Miami Beach, guests could be greeted by Betsy and Rosa. The Betsy hotel website <\/p>\n