Visitors and tourists repeatedly visit Miami Beach not only for the city’s warm weather but because the destination embraces them with hotels, restaurants, retailers and entertainment venues rolling out the red carpet, always ready to accommodate and please; satisfy and delight. That same enthusiasm also extends to pets. Pets are treated exceptionally well with everyone from hotels to tour operators ensuring that they are comfortable, pampered and indulged. From the Loews’ Very Important Pet (VIP) program to Bark Beach at North Shore Open Space Park, Miami Beach is heaven for four-legged family members.
“Many people don’t know this, but Miami Beach is a very pet-friendly city,” says Peggy Benua, Chair, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA). “Businesses here are very accommodating of pets, with four-legged animals allowed to accompany their adult companions into retailers, some restaurants and other locations and a generous number of dog parks where they can roam freely. Miami Beach loves animals.”
According to the Pet Travel Center, 39% of U.S. households (or 40.6 million) own at least one dog; dogs are the most common type of pet to take along (78%) on a trip; 14% of all adults in the U.S. (29.1 million) said they had traveled with a pet on a trip of 50 miles or more in the past three years and 29% of travelers stay in a hotel or motel with their pet.
Grisette Roque, Executive Director of the MBVCA says Miami Beach’s outdoor culture is a natural fit for pets and their owners. “With sun-soaked days most of the year, Miami Beach’s outdoor cafés and physically active culture is a great fit for travelers with pets. Our significant number of dog parks, hotels with special pet programs and laws that were created to protect and include pets make this city an extraordinary fit for tourists who want to travel and not leave their pets at home.”
For those traveling to Miami Beach with their pets, below are just some of the places where pets are not only accommodated but catered to:
Hotels
At the Loews Miami Beach all pets receive their own welcome amenities, including a pet tag, bowl and a special treat to start their vacation. As part of the Loews Loves Pets program, VIP (Very Important Pet) pets will be waited on hand and paw. Pets are provided everything they need to feel right at home with amenities made for royalty: gourmet room service menus for cats and dogs, dog-walking routes, pet placemats, water bowls, treats, doggie pick-up bags, pet-walking and pet-sitting services as well as a fenced-in dog park located behind the North Cabanas with park benches, water bowls and dog toys.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach welcomes a maximum of two pets, 50 lbs. or less, per guest room for an additional $100 per pet, per stay. There is no pet deposit for medical service animals, provided the pet display certification tags or certification papers are shown to waive the fee. Pampered pets and their adoring owners enjoy spacious rooms, tail-waggin’ amenities, including a complimentary dog tag with “if found return to” information and an on premise ocean-side park. Pets can enjoy their favorite pet movie in-room or plan a day playing in the park.
At The Standard Spa Miami Beach two pets of any size are welcome for no additional fee. The property includes 100 guest rooms and suites, extensive gardens, indoor/outdoor spa facilities, boat dock, swimming pool, cold plunge, jacuzzi, 24-hour room service and a full-service restaurant.
Surfcomber welcomes all fury, feathery, or scaly pets — no matter their size, weight or breed. If the pet fits through the door, they are more than welcome to enjoy a pet-tastic stay for free. VIP (Very Important Pet) amenities include, plush doggie bed loaners, toys, food, water bowls and mats – these amenities are delivered to the room upon arrival when indicated that a pet will be checking-in, a nightly supply of treats, a concierge list of nearby pet-friendly restaurants, parks, groomers and pet boutiques and nightly complimentary wine reception and pets are welcome to join the party!
In addition, Dream South Beach Miami welcomes one dog under 30 lbs for an additional fee of $50 per stay and the southern-chic The Betsy Hotel welcomes up to two dogs under 25 lbs for an additional fee of $250 per room, per stay.
Pet Friendly Activities:
Consistently voted one of the top attractions in Miami Beach, Art Deco Tours with Christine & Company allows guests to bring their furry best friend along. Art Deco Tours provides water, a water bowl and waste bags. Dogs must be well-socialized. Pet reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. In addition to the tour fee, there is a minimum pet fee of $30 depending on the number of pets.
The pedestrian-only Lincoln Road Mall offers galleries, boutiques, fine dining, unique shops, sidewalk cafes and more for travelers and their pets to enjoy. Many restaurants have outdoor seating areas where pets are welcome to dine with guests; many shops also welcome pets however, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
Dog Friendly Beaches & Parks:
Haulover Beach Park features a bark park with enclosures for small dogs (less than 35 lbs.) and large dogs (more than 35 lbs.) located near the south picnic area. The bark park features shade trees, picnic tables, drinking fountains for both dogs and their companions, as well as doggie waste bag dispensers and waste containers. The bark park is open from 8 am to sunset, seven days a week.
Voted the #1 dog park in the metro-Miami area by Curbed Magazine, Bark Beach at North Shore Open Space Park, sits adjacent to eight blocks of oceanfront with jogging trails, exercise stations and picnic pavilions. The adjoining North Shore area is a charming neighborhood filled with tropical mid-century modern buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In the heart of Miami Beach lies Flamingo Bark Park, an off-leash dog park that features two doggy play areas. One of the runs is designated for smaller breeds under 25 lbs. Additional amenities include double gated entrances into the dog runs, which allow owners to unleash their pets in a holding area before releasing them into the play areas; drinking stations for people and their pets, biodegradable baggie stations, waste receptacles and lots of benches.
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