Hotel guests traveling with their four-legged friends have more selection than ever before. Brands like Westin Hotels have embraced the fact that pet owners want to travel with their pooches and are no longer relegating guests with pets to the worst room in the house.

In fact, many hotels have upped the anti even further by actually having dogs on staff. Hotels like the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and the Fairmont Waterfront allow some employees to come to work with their canine friends, and actually allow guests to walk them. This brings a smile to many a guest’s face who might be missing their own pooch at home, and allows travelers such as women traveling alone to get out on the town when they might otherwise not be comfortable walking by themselves.

Thanks to Eric for sending in the image below of a few of his favorite “people”. Eric’s latest trip to Portland included his two former “racers” who look more than happy to slow down and live a dog’s life of relaxation. Although Westin offers a dog version of their “Heavenly Bed” - clearly these two retirees are more than happy right where they are.

Here’s a pic of the three most important “people” in my life. The furry two think we’re just “dogs that walk upright”. This was totally above board as the Westin Hotels are all dog friendly. Not that we have smuggled them into some places that aren’t!

Aurelia is our girl dog and Ducati is our boy dog. Both are retired racers, 9 yrs old and loving their retirement as they get to travel more and work not at all.

[Westin Portland]
Doggie Boutique [Westin]
Pet Loving Hotels [USAToday]

Westin Hotels & Resorts have proven themselves to be quite an innovative brand. Long before they were bought by Starwood Hotels, they had already engineered a number of hotel industry firsts:

• 1930 - As luck would have it, two hotel competitors found themselves having breakfast at the same diner in Yakima, Washington. They struck up a conversation, formed an alliance and Western Hotels was born.
• 1946 - The first guest credit card was issued by Western Hotels.
• 1947 - The “Hoteltype” reservations system was introduced, allowing Western to instantaneously confirm guest reservations.
• 1969 - Western Hotels was the first to offer 24-hour room service
• 1983 - Westin (changed names in 1980) was the first major hotel to implement a comprehensive credit card reservation and check-out system.
• 1991 - Westin guests were offered personal voice-mail service – a first in the hotel industry.

And…we love this one here at HoteBedHQ.com:

• 1999 - Westin proudly introduced The Heavenly Bed® and changed the industry paradigm of a superior sleep experience.

Check out some Westin guests enjoying their “Heavenly” innovation:

Westin Site
Heavenly Beds [Westin]

Westin Bed, originally uploaded by warpspeed83.

Hotel Site
Reviews [TripAdvisor]

Heavenly Bed, originally uploaded by huliana90212.

Westin Times Square
Reviews [TripAdvisor] [HotelChatter]