Traveling with an emotional support animal (ESA) can bring comfort and peace of mind — but when it comes to hotel stays, things can get a bit tricky. Unlike service animals, ESAs don’t have guaranteed access to public accommodations, and hotel policies can vary dramatically.
In this guide, you’ll learn what to expect when booking a hotel with your ESA, including whether hotels are required to accept them, what fees might apply, and what kind of documentation you may need to provide. If you’re planning a trip with your emotional support animal, here’s everything you need to know before check-in.
Have you ever been planning a vacation and wondered if your emotional support pup will cost you extra at hotels? You’re not alone! As someone who’s traveled extensively with my own ESA, I’ve faced this confusing situation many times. Let’s cut through the noise and get straight to what you need to know about hotels and emotional support animal fees.
The Short Answer: Yes, Hotels Can (Usually) Charge for ESA Dogs
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the truth is that hotels are legally allowed to charge fees for emotional support animals, including dogs. Unlike service animals, ESAs don’t have the same protections under federal law when it comes to hotel stays.
Why? It all comes down to how the law classifies different types of assistance animals.
Understanding the Difference: ESAs vs. Service Animals
Here’s the crucial distinction that affects your wallet:
Service Animals
- Protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Specifically trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities
- Hotels cannot charge extra fees for service animals
- Only dogs (and in some cases, miniature horses) qualify
Emotional Support Animals
- Provide comfort through companionship
- Not trained for specific disability-related tasks
- Not protected by the ADA in hotels
- Can be treated as regular pets by hotels
- Hotels can charge pet fees for ESAs
As LegalClarity explains, “The ADA defines a ‘service animal’ as a dog that has been individually trained to perform work or specific tasks for a person with a disability.” Since ESAs don’t meet this definition, hotels can treat them like any other pet.
What About My ESA Letter?
Many ESA owners are surprised to learn that their official ESA letter doesn’t guarantee fee-free accommodation at hotels. While an ESA letter provides important protections for housing under the Fair Housing Act, these protections don’t extend to hotels.
According to Pettable “Hotels are not legally required to accommodate emotional support animals (ESAs) as they are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).”
So even if you have a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional, a hotel can still:
- Charge you standard pet fees
- Apply their regular pet policies
- Potentially refuse accommodation if they have a strict no-pet policy
What Kind of Fees Can Hotels Charge?
Hotel pet fees vary widely, but you might encounter:
- One-time fees per stay (typically $50-$150)
- Nightly pet fees (often $20-$50 per night)
- Refundable deposits to cover potential damages
Additionally, hotels retain the right to charge you for any damages your ESA causes beyond normal wear and tear. This applies to all animals – even service animals that are exempt from pet fees.
Finding ESA-Friendly Hotels
Don’t lose hope! While hotels can charge for ESAs, many establishments are becoming more pet-friendly and some even waive fees for emotional support animals as a courtesy.
Some of the most ESA-friendly hotel chains include
- Kimpton Hotels: Known for their excellent pet policies with no additional fees or size restrictions
- Best Western: Over 1,200 pet-friendly properties in North America
- Loews Hotels: Accepts dogs and cats at all locations (maximum of two pets per room)
- Marriott: Many locations welcome dogs, cats, birds, and fish
Tips for Traveling with Your ESA
Before you book your next hotel stay with your emotional support dog, follow these tips to avoid surprises:
- Call ahead: Always contact the hotel directly to verify their current ESA policy
- Ask about fees: Get specific information about what charges to expect
- Have documentation ready: While not legally required, having your ESA letter may help
- Consider a pet-friendly hotel: Sometimes these have more reasonable pet policies
- Practice good ESA etiquette: Keep your animal well-behaved and clean to avoid additional charges
When Your ESA Is Protected
While hotels can charge for emotional support animals, it’s worth knowing when your ESA does have legal protections:
Housing (Including Long-Term Lodging)
Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must make reasonable accommodations for ESAs, which includes waiving pet fees and “no pets” policies for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Psychiatric Service Dogs
If your dog is specifically trained to perform tasks related to your mental health condition (like interrupting panic attacks), they may qualify as a psychiatric service dog (PSD) rather than an ESA. PSDs are protected under the ADA, and hotels cannot charge fees for them.
As ESA Registration of America notes, “Unlike service animals, which are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ESAs get a mixed reception due to varying state laws and individual hotel policies.”
Is There Any Way Around Hotel Pet Fees?
I’ve found a few potential strategies that might help:
- Loyalty programs: Some hotel loyalty programs offer waived pet fees as a perk
- Negotiate: Politely explain your situation and ask if they might waive the fee as a courtesy
- Consider PSD training: If you qualify, training your dog as a psychiatric service dog provides greater legal protections
- Extended stays: Some hotels reduce or waive pet fees for longer stays
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, hotels can legally charge for ESA dogs since they’re not classified as service animals under the ADA. Each hotel sets its own policy regarding ESAs, so you’ll need to do your homework before booking.
Don’t let this discourage you from traveling with your emotional support companion, though! With some advance planning and research on pet-friendly accommodations, you and your furry friend can still enjoy wonderful travels together – just be prepared to budget for possible additional fees.
Have you traveled with your ESA? What was your experience with hotel pet fees? Share your tips and stories in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not be considered legal advice. Laws regarding emotional support animals may vary by location and can change over time. Always check current regulations in your specific area.
FAQ about Staying with an ESA in a Hotel
No, hotels are not legally required to allow emotional support animals (ESAs). In the UK, ESAs are not recognized like assistance dogs, and in the U.S., ESAs do not have public access rights under the ADA. Hotels may allow them voluntarily, but policies vary, so it’s important to check in advance and provide proper documentation.
Can hotels deny emotional support animals?
Yes, hotels can deny emotional support animals. Under ADA guidelines, hotels and other public accommodations are only required to accept trained service animals.
Emotional support animals do not qualify for this protection because they are not trained to perform a specific task that assists with a disability. Their primary role is to provide emotional comfort by simply being present.
As a result, hotels are not required by law to grant them access and can develop internal policies that restrict or prohibit their presence altogether. Guests who rely on ESAs should always check a hotel’s pet or ESA policy in advance to avoid surprises at check-in.
Can Hotels Charge For ESA Animals? – Resort 2 Travel
FAQ
Can hotels say no to ESA?
Hotels are not legally required to accommodate emotional support animals (ESAs) as they are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hotel policies on ESAs can vary widely, and it is advisable to check with the hotel in advance regarding their specific rules on pets.
Do ESA letters waive hotel fees?
Some hotels will waive the fee if you can provide proper documentation, such as an ESA letter.