How to Book Pet-Friendly Accommodation on Booking.com

Booking.com makes it easy to find dog-friendly hotels, apartments and holiday homes. It is less clear about the details that matter: what the property charges, how many pets it takes, and whether “allowed” really means allowed.

We list our own serviced apartments on Booking.com, so we deal with pet requests as hosts as well as guests. This guide explains how to search, where pet details are shown on a listing, what each pet label means, and what to say to a property before you pay.

What each pet label on Booking.com means

What the listing says	What it means	What you should do
Pets allowed	The property accepts pets. Charges may apply.	Check The fine print and Property Q&A for the fee.
Pets allowed on request	The property decides case by case.	Message the property first. Book a free-cancellation rate.
Pets stay free badge	Pets are accepted with no extra pet fee.	Still check size, breed and number limits.
Pets not allowed or no mention	Assume pets are not accepted.	Choose another property. Assistance dogs are an exception (see below).

How to find dog-friendly stays on the Booking.com website

1. Go to Booking.com. Enter your destination, dates and number of guests.
2. If the guest selector shows a “Travelling with pets?” option, switch it on. 
3. Click Search.
4. In the filters on the left, scroll to Facilities and tick Pets allowed.
5. Look for the Pets stay free badge if you want to avoid pet fees.
6. Switch to map view to find stays near parks, beaches or walking routes.
7. Open each listing and check its pet policy before you book 

Tip: Before you tick the filter, the number next to “Pets allowed” tells you how many results accept pets. If it is very low, widen your area or change your dates.

How to filter for pet-friendly stays in the Booking.com app

1. Search for your destination and dates.
2. Tap Filter at the top of the results.
3. Scroll to Facilities and tap Show more if you need to.
4. Select Pets allowed.
5. Tap Show results.

The app keeps recently used filters near the top, so it is faster the next time you search with your dog.

How to read a listing’s pet policy

Each property sets its own pet rules. Booking.com shows them in up to four places on a listing, and they do not always match. Check all four:

1. Facilities. This section, below the room options, shows whether pets are allowed.
2. House rules. In the app this is called Property policies. It shows “allowed”, “allowed on request” or “not allowed”, and whether charges apply.
3. The fine print. This is near the bottom of the page. Pet fees, deposits, weight limits and “no pets left alone” rules often appear here.
4. Property questions and answers. Other guests often ask about dogs here, and the property’s answers can be more specific than the policy.

Then read recent guest reviews. Look for mentions of dogs, cleaning charges, room location and nearby walks. Recent reviews tell you more than old ones because pet policies change.

How much are pet fees on Booking.com?

It depends on the property. Some charge nothing, some charge per night, some charge once per stay, and some also take a refundable damage deposit. Larger dogs or a second pet can cost more.

The catch is that Booking.com often shows “charges may apply” without an amount. The exact fee is usually in The fine print or the Property Q&A. If it is not there, ask the property before you book.

Always compare the total cost including pet fees, not just the nightly rate. A cheaper room with a high pet fee can end up costing more than a “Pets stay free” property.

What to do when pets are “allowed on request”

“On request” means the property has not agreed yet. There are two safe ways to handle it:

• Ask first. Message the property through Booking.com and wait for a written yes.
• Book with free cancellation. Reserve a flexible rate, message straight away, and cancel if they say no. Avoid non-refundable rates until your pet is confirmed.

If there is no reply within 24–48 hours, choose another property.

Message template you can copy

Hi, I’d like to book [dates] and I’m travelling with [number] dog(s): a [breed], about [weight] kg, house-trained and well-behaved.
Could you please confirm:

1. My dog(s) are welcome for this stay
2. The pet fee (per night or per stay?) and any deposit
3. Any size, breed or room restrictions
4. Whether dogs can be left alone in the room for short periods
   Thanks!

Keep the reply. It is your proof if anything changes at check-in.

How to tell the property you’re bringing a pet

Mention your pet in the special requests box when you book, even if the listing says pets are allowed. After booking, send a short message through Booking.com with the type, breed, size and number of pets. Being upfront helps the property give you a suitable room and avoids surprise charges.

Assistance dogs are not pets

In the UK, trained assistance dogs, such as guide dogs and hearing dogs, are not treated as pets. Under the Equality Act 2010, accommodation providers generally should not refuse a guest because of their assistance dog, and should not charge pet fees for one. A “no pets” rule does not normally apply.

Tell the property in advance anyway so they can prepare. 

Checklist before you confirm

• ☐ The label says “Pets allowed”, or “on request” with a written yes
• ☐ You know the pet fee, whether it is per night or per stay, and any deposit
• ☐ Your dog fits the size, breed and number limits
• ☐ You have read the rules on leaving pets alone
• ☐ You have checked the cancellation terms. Pet stays sometimes have stricter terms.
• ☐ You have declared every pet, not just one
• ☐ You have screenshots of the listing’s pet policy

What if the property refuses your pet at check-in?

1. Stay calm and show the property your screenshots and written confirmation.
2. If they still refuse, contact Booking.com customer service through the app or Help Centre straight away, while you are still at the property.
3. Ask Booking.com to help find alternative pet-friendly accommodation.
4. Keep receipts for any extra costs.

If the same problem shows up again and again in reviews, it points to an ongoing issue with the property rather than a one-off.

For hosts: setting a pet policy that wins bookings

Pet owners filter hard, so if your listing does not say “Pets allowed”, it will not appear in their searches. If you accept dogs:

• Set the policy clearly in your Booking.com Extranet: allowed, on request or not allowed, and whether charges apply. See Booking.com’s guide to adding pet policies and prices.
• Put the exact fee in the fine print. “Charges may apply” with no figure puts guests off.
• Tick the pet-related facilities you actually have, such as an enclosed garden or ground-floor access.
• Answer pet questions in the Property Q&A. Future guests read those answers.

JF Property Partners can set up and manage your listing across Booking.com and Airbnb, including pet policies that bring in bookings without adding risk. Get a free estimate, email info@jfpropertypartners.com or call +44 7457 427143.

Frequently asked questions

Does Booking.com have a dog-friendly filter?

Yes. After searching, tick Pets allowed under Facilities in the filters on the left. In the app, go to Filter → Facilities → Show more → Pets allowed. There is no separate “dogs only” filter, so check each listing’s House rules to confirm dogs are accepted.

Does Booking.com show pet fees?

Not always. Many listings only say “charges may apply”. Check The fine print and Property questions and answers, where properties often list the exact fee. If it is still not there, message the property before you book and ask whether the fee is per night or per stay.

What does “pets allowed on request” mean?

It means the property decides case by case, so your pet is not guaranteed a place. Message the property with your pet’s breed, size and number, and wait for written confirmation. Book a free-cancellation rate if you want to hold the room in the meantime.

What does the “Pets stay free” badge mean?

It means the property accepts pets and does not charge an extra pet fee. Size, breed and number limits can still apply, so read the House rules before booking.

Can I bring more than one dog?

Sometimes. Each property sets its own limit, and many charge per pet. Check the House rules and The fine print, and say exactly how many dogs you are bringing in your message and special requests. Undeclared pets can lead to extra charges or refusal at check-in.

Are assistance dogs charged pet fees?

In the UK, assistance dogs are not treated as pets, and under the Equality Act 2010 providers generally should not refuse them or charge pet fees. Tell the property in advance so they can prepare, even if the listing says “no pets”.

Can I leave my dog alone in the room?

It depends on the property. Many do not allow pets to be left alone, and some only allow it if your dog is in a crate. The rule is usually in The fine print. If it is not listed, ask the property directly.

Final tips

Filter for Pets allowed, look for the Pets stay free badge, and read all four policy areas on each listing. Get anything unclear confirmed in writing. A few minutes of checking before you book saves a difficult conversation at check-in.