MIAMI — Check into The Betsy hotel in Miami Beach and you may be greeted by two resident goldendoodles. The message: Dogs feel seen here.
The latest competition in luxury hospitality is no longer just penthouse suites, in-house Michelin-starred restaurants or private butlers.
It’s the family dog.
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.
The shift is especially evident in Miami, where hotels are competing to cater to the wealthy travelers who expect every member of the family — including the four-legged ones — to enjoy five-star treatment.
Industry experts say for luxury hotels, the movement has evolved beyond simply being “pet friendly.” And the Michelin Guide has identified luxury pet travel as one of hospitality’s fastest-growing segments.
“We call it canine hospitality,” said Guise Bule, CEO of Roch Dog, 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 nonprofit membership body that represents hotels that welcome dogs, and not just tolerate them.
“Almost every hotel in Miami will let a dog through the door for a fee. That is not hospitality — that is tolerance,” Bule said. “Canine hospitality is when the dog is treated as a guest.”
Bule said Miami has emerged as one of the world’s leading destinations for dog-friendly luxury travel.
“This is definitely a trend in the hospitality business and Miami is one of the strongest dog-friendly hotel markets in the world,” he said. “We expect more Miami properties to chase this standard, but they’ll have to earn it.”
According to Bule, hotels cannot pay for the organizations’ coveted “canine hospitality” designation.
Leading the way is Miami’s five-star InterContinental hotel, which Roch Dog has named its 2026 Hotel of the Year after independently evaluating more than 70 criteria, including pet policies and whether dogs are genuinely welcomed in restaurants, bars and public spaces.
The downtown Miami hotel recently introduced “Rocco,” 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’s pet amenities and services.
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.
At check-in, dogs receive plush beds, gourmet treats from Miami-based Yum Pup, custom InterContinental bandanas and curated guides to the city’s best pet-friendly attractions.
The hotel is also expanding its pet-focused lifestyle programming.
On Aug. 26, which is National Dog Day, the hotel’s its weekly Paws Patio event will become an “End of Summer Paaawty,” complete with a doggie pool, sprinklers, complimentary pup cups and tropical-themed festivities for canine guests and their owners.
InterContinental isn’t the only South Florida luxury hotel catering to affluent pet owners, who are paying between $80 and $300 for their dog’s curated stay.
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.
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort’s “Bring Fido,” program goes a step further by introducing guests to its two resident goldendoodles, Jack and Maddie, who greet arriving visitors.
At The Betsy hotel in South Beach, guest can also be greeted by two resident Golden retrievers, Betsy and Rosa.
The trend extends well beyond South Florida. Luxury hotel brands including The Langham, Hotel Bel-Air and Kimpton Hotels have expanded their pet programs to include gourmet menus, welcome gifts and concierge-arranged dog walkers.
For luxury hotels, the message is becoming increasingly clear: Today’s wealthy travelers aren’t simply looking for a hotel that allows dogs. They’re looking for one that welcomes them as VIPs — Very Important Pooches.