The pandemic changed the way we live, work, and travel—and perhaps changed how we prioritize all of the above too. While the current fervor is on the summer travel surge after many pandemic-imposed restrictions have been lifted, many of those travelers might be looking to bring new additions to the family: their pets.
The pandemic saw an incredible rise in adoption rates for dogs and cats across the United States, and not everyone wants to leave their new best friends at home. Even in pre-pandemic times, many hotels had pet-friendly policies. But now, especially as the entire travel industry looks to rebound this year, catering to pets and their owners with a menu of curated amenities is an edge in securing reservations.
The Mark, a five-star luxury hotel in New York City’s Upper East Side neighborhood, is about as dog-friendly as it gets beyond your own home. Just a block from Central Park, four-legged guests are in for a real treat from start to finish. (The hotel website even promises that they’ll receive “a playful welcome from our pet-loving door staff,” and they aren’t kidding—my dog was greeted like a Hollywood celebrity getting ready for the Met Gala when we stopped in one summer afternoon.)
“At The Mark, we have always recognized pets as an extension of the family,” says Andrew Jeffries, director of sales and marketing for The Mark. “We are dedicated to providing our guests best-in-class service with the smallest of details considered, so it was only natural to extend the same hospitality to our four-legged guests. Our owners and much of our staff are pet owners themselves, so we know firsthand the love and care afforded to pets. After all, why should life’s luxuries be reserved solely for humans?”
Once inside the hotel, the room is already decked out for your pup’s enjoyment, complete with a tent for sleeping (or playing), signature food and water bowls with a custom place mat, and a cozy dog bed by Molly Mutt (if your dog happens to choose the dog bed over your king-size bed).
The hotel also prepares “Woof Woof Kits,” leather pouches with a dog leash, waste bags, and collapsible water bowls.
Along with some custom prepared treats ready for your dog to chomp immediately, there is even a “Spoiled Dog’s Menu,” crafted by the team downstairs at The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges. Main courses include fresh dishes made from chicken, salmon, eggs, vegetables, and more, and there’s even a breakfast menu for oatmeal and cottage cheese. (Remember, this is just the room service menu for dogs.)
While The Mark does not have any partnerships in the pet care industry specifically, it does collaborate with a number of luxury dog outfitters, such as Poldo Dog Couture, which designed a dog bomber jacket and raincoat exclusively for The Mark.
“Our pet-friendly program and amenities were born and bred (pun intended) in-house with designers and independent vendors on hand to help bring our vision to life,” Jeffries says.
The hotel’s concierge team also has direct access to the neighborhood’s top-rated dog groomers, walkers, and washers to assist in-house pets. “Traveling with your pet is not always synonymous with luxury,” Jeffries says. “Therefore, our guests continue to be surprised, wowed, and dare we say, jealous of the care afforded to The Mark’s furry guests.”
The hotel welcomes both dogs and cats, and there is no restriction on the number of animals (“within reason,” according to Jeffries), nor are there any weight or breed limitations.
And given the so-called pandemic puppy boom, the hotel staff have seen an uptick in the number of pets (with their humans) checking in.
“We have absolutely noticed an increase in guests traveling with pets and we expect this trend to continue. So many pets can barely recall life without their owners, so luckily, they don’t have to if mom and dad are staying at The Mark,” Jeffries says.
Rooms start at $1,075 per night for a king-size bed with a view of Madison Avenue. The hotel does have a $250 per room pet cleaning fee; however, service animals are exempt from this.
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