Pet friendly serviced apartments: how policies work

Are there pet friendly serviced apartments, and what do they allow?

Yes, though not everywhere and not for every pet. AFAR reports, citing the American Hotel and Lodging Association, that about 75 percent of hotels in the United States allow pets. That figure comes from a secondary source and describes hotels in one country, not serviced apartments, so treat it as a sign that pet-friendly stays are common rather than as a promise.

Policies vary sharply even within the serviced apartment sector. Locke says dogs are welcome at all of its locations, but takes dogs only, with no cats or other pets. The Spires Serviced Apartments, a UK operator, applies its pet policy at four of its cities only: Aberdeen, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Quest, an Australian brand, reported in 2021 that it was equipping select rooms at 30 properties for travellers with pets. The pattern is consistent: some buildings, some room types, some animals.

That is why "pet friendly" on a brand page is a starting point, not an answer. The property's own page or the booking terms decide.

What conditions do pet policies usually include?

The operator terms read for this guide share a set of conditions. They are not universal, so use the table as a checklist of what to ask rather than a statement of what every property requires.

How do pet fees work in serviced apartments?

Two structures appear. Locke describes a one-off cleaning fee per stay for dogs, which you add to your booking. The Spires charges a fee per night with a minimum and maximum, and says it is used to cover deep cleaning of the apartment on departure. AFAR describes the same split among hotels: some charge a flat rate per stay, others a per-night or per-pet fee that adds up over a longer stay.

This matters for a month-long visit. A per-night fee grows with the stay, while a flat fee does not, so ask for the structure before comparing total costs. The same fee should be listed alongside other extras; aparthotel extra charges and city taxes lists what else to look for.

A fee is separate from a deposit or damage terms. The Spires asks pet owners to sign a disclaimer that makes them liable for damage caused by the pet. Whether a hold is placed on your card is covered in do serviced apartments need deposits.

Why check availability as well as the policy?

A policy that allows pets is not the same as a room you can book. AFAR notes that many hotels have a limited number of pet-friendly rooms, in part to help guests with allergies, and that those rooms can fill up quickly, especially in peak travel seasons. It also warns against relying on third-party booking sites, which can have outdated information.

The same logic applies to apartments. If a building keeps only some apartments for pets, you may need to book a particular room type, and Locke suggests larger room types for bigger dogs, with a suite if you prefer to keep the bedroom dog-free. Ask the property to confirm in writing that the pet is added to your reservation, not only that pets are allowed.

For stays in busy periods, see when to book an aparthotel on lead times.

What helps when travelling with a dog to an aparthotel?

Quest's FAQ says serviced apartments typically offer more space than hotel rooms, with separate living, dining and sleeping areas. That is a general description of the format rather than a pet-specific promise, so check the layout of the apartment you book. Space helps, but it does not replace the operator's rules.

Practical points from the published sources are modest. Locke advises keeping your dog with you and telling a member of staff if you need to step out, and suggests bringing familiar toys, keeping to your dog's usual routine and making time for walks. AFAR gives a reason for caution: a dog left alone in an unfamiliar room can bark, scratch or try to escape, which can disturb other guests and lead to extra fees.

Housekeeping may also change. With a pet in the apartment, ask how cleaning visits work and whether staff enter when the dog is there; how aparthotel housekeeping works covers the usual schedules. Examples of cities where operators publish pet policies include Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

Are assistance animals the same as pets?

No. Official guidance in both the UK and the US treats assistance animals separately from pets, and this guide describes it neutrally rather than as legal advice. In the UK, the Equality and Human Rights Commission's guide for businesses says assistance dogs are not pets and are treated as auxiliary aids, and that this includes amending "no dogs" and "no pets" policies to allow access. It also says the law does not require an assistance dog to wear a harness or jacket.

In the US, the Department of Justice's FAQ on the ADA defines a service animal as a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability, and says entities with a "no pets" policy generally must modify it to allow service animals. It says emotional support, therapy, comfort or companion animals are not service animals under the ADA, although some state or local laws may cover them. It also says hotels may not restrict a guest with a service animal to pet-friendly rooms or charge a cleaning fee for the hair or dander the animal sheds, though a damage fee may apply as for other guests.

Rules differ by country and change, so read the official page for where you are staying, and tell the operator about your needs at booking. More on access and adjustments is in accessible aparthotels.

What to ask before you book a pet-friendly apartment

Put these questions to the property by email so the answers are on record. They apply whether you search for a long stay or a weekend, and if you are also bringing children, travelling with kids in aparthotels adds family-specific checks. Apartments in cities such as Sydney and Berlin may have different rules from those in the UK, so read each property's own terms.

• Are pets allowed at this property, and in which apartments or room types?
• How many animals and which species, and is there a weight limit?
• What is the fee, how is it charged, and is it per stay, per night or per pet?
• Which vaccination records, waivers or approvals are required, and by when?
• Can the pet be left alone in the apartment, even briefly?
• Are there areas of the building where the pet may not go?
• What happens if the pet damages the apartment, and how is it charged?