Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Fort Lauderdale for 2026
A practical guide to Fort Lauderdale's dog-friendly hotels for 2026: pet fees, weight limits, beach hours, and heat-safety tips for pet parents.
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Fort Lauderdale has become one of South Florida’s easiest dog-friendly getaways, sitting just 29 miles north of Miami and carrying a reputation as one of the most pet-friendly cities in the country. With 376 pet-friendly hotels listed on BringFido, travelers can choose from budget motels near Cypress Creek to five-star beachfront resorts on Fort Lauderdale Beach, each with its own pet fee structure and weight limit. This guide covers eight verified dog-friendly stays, how beachfront and downtown pet fees differ, the city’s Friday-through-Sunday dog beach hours, and the heat and hydration precautions that matter most in South Florida’s climate.
Why Fort Lauderdale Works for a Dog-Friendly Trip
Fort Lauderdale’s location does a lot of the work for you. At 29 miles north of Miami, it makes an easy day trip or a calmer home base if you want beach time without Miami’s density, according to Hepper’s Fort Lauderdale lodging guide. The same guide lists Fort Lauderdale among the most pet-friendly cities in the United States, and BringFido currently tracks 376 pet-friendly hotels in the metro area. That volume means real competition on price and policy: you can find a $38-a-night motel room and a $500-a-night oceanfront suite within a few miles of each other, both accepting dogs. The tradeoff is that “pet-friendly” covers a wide range of fine print - weight limits, per-night versus per-stay fees, and how many pets are allowed per room all vary hotel to hotel, which is exactly what the next section breaks down.
The Best Places to Stay
These eight properties are verified pet-friendly stays covering downtown, the airport corridor, and the beachfront strip.
The Westin Fort Lauderdale
Located in the downtown-beach vicinity, the Westin allows two pets up to 40 lb each for $50 per pet, per night. The hotel supplies treats, beds, and bowls, plus a grassy pet-relief area on-site.
Price band: Not listed - check current rates via the link below. Pros: Upscale brand with a comfortable room; central location for walking and dining. Cons: The 40 lb weight limit excludes larger dogs. Best for: Travelers who want a high-end hotel with dedicated pet amenities. Check rates
Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
Positioned near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, this Hyatt Place allows one dog up to 50 lb, or two dogs with a combined weight up to 75 lb. The pet fee is $100 for stays of one to six nights (it increases for longer stays).
Price band: $126-180 Pros: Close to the airport and cruise port for easy travel days; spacious rooms and free breakfast. Cons: The pet fee runs higher than several competitors on this list. Best for: Visitors who need quick airport or cruise-port access without giving up pet-friendly lodging. Check rates
The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale
This beachfront property allows two pets up to 25 lb each for a $250 fee per stay, set against a luxury backdrop with an on-site spa and pool. Pet-friendly sidewalks connect to the nearby beach promenade.
Price band: Not listed - check current rates via the link below. Pros: Five-star service and ocean views; pet-friendly sidewalks and easy promenade access. Cons: The high pet fee and low 25 lb weight limit rule out larger dogs. Best for: Luxury-minded travelers with a small dog who want a premium beach stay. Check rates
The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
Set directly on Fort Lauderdale Beach, this Westin allows two dogs up to 40 lb for a $100 per-stay fee, with a dedicated grassy pet-relief area on the property.
Price band: $200-300 Pros: Beachfront location; pet amenities including treats, bowls, and beds. Cons: The pet fee runs on the higher side. Best for: Travelers who want a beachfront resort that still welcomes small-to-medium dogs. Check rates
Bahia Mar Ft Lauderdale Beach - DoubleTree by Hilton
This DoubleTree sits right on the sand and allows two dogs up to 80 lb - the most generous weight allowance on this list - for $100 per pet, per stay. It also has an on-site grassy pet-relief area and promotes the nearby dog-friendly beach hours (Friday through Sunday) to guests.
Price band: $180-250 Pros: Spacious rooms; direct beach access; the highest weight allowance among the properties here. Cons: The hotel’s policy allows pets to be left unattended in rooms, so plan accordingly if that’s not what you want. Best for: Families with larger dogs who want easy beach access. Check rates
Hotel Maren Fort Lauderdale Beach - Curio Collection by Hilton
A boutique property within walking distance of the beach promenade, Hotel Maren allows two dogs up to 40 lb for a $125 per-stay fee, with a grassy pet-relief area nearby.
Price band: $210-280 Pros: Boutique style with upscale amenities; walking distance to the beach promenade. Cons: The pet fee is among the higher ones in the area. Best for: Couples who want a stylish boutique hotel that still welcomes a small dog. Check rates
The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
A second beachfront Ritz-Carlton listing, this property features an oceanfront pool deck with private cabanas and allows two pets up to 25 lb for a $250 per-stay fee. It sits close to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and the pet-friendly promenade.
Price band: $350-500 Pros: Luxury service and amenities; proximity to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and the promenade. Cons: The strict 25 lb size limit and high pet fee rule out larger dogs. Best for: Guests who prioritize upscale service while traveling with a small dog. Check rates
La Quinta By Wyndham Ft Lauderdale Cypress Creek Hotel
Located in the Cypress Creek area near downtown and public transit, La Quinta welcomes dogs with no stated size restriction. The hotel has a swimming pool and free Wi-Fi, and its nightly rate runs around $38, according to Place to Stay.
Price band: $35-45 Pros: The most affordable option on this list; close to public transit and downtown attractions. Cons: Amenities are basic compared with the upscale resorts above. Best for: Budget-conscious travelers who need a simple, pet-friendly stay near downtown. Check rates
Beachfront vs. Downtown Pet Fees
Pet fees in Fort Lauderdale split fairly cleanly along location lines. Beachfront resorts such as The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and Bahia Mar’s DoubleTree charge $100 per pet, per stay - a flat cost that works in your favor on longer trips, since it doesn’t compound nightly. Hotel Maren, also on the beach, charges a similar $125 per-stay fee. The two Ritz-Carlton beachfront properties sit at the top of the range, at $250 per stay for pets up to 25 lb only, reflecting both the luxury tier and the stricter size limit.
Downtown and inland options tell a different story. The Westin Fort Lauderdale charges $50 per pet per night rather than a flat stay fee, which can add up on a multi-night trip even though the nightly number looks smaller at first glance. La Quinta, in the Cypress Creek area, keeps costs low across the board with a budget nightly rate and no stated weight cap. The Hyatt Place near the airport lands in between: not beachfront, but still charging $100 for stays of one to six nights, with the fee increasing for longer visits. Before booking, run the total pet cost for your actual length of stay rather than comparing sticker fees alone - a per-night charge at a “cheaper” hotel can outpace a flat per-stay fee at a pricier one.
Fort Lauderdale Beach’s Dog-Friendly Hours and Relief Areas
Fort Lauderdale Beach designates a dog-friendly area that’s open Friday through Sunday, a policy that Bahia Mar’s DoubleTree by Hilton actively promotes to guests traveling with larger dogs. That three-day window is the time to plan your beach walks if off-leash or dog-specific beach access is the point of your trip - arriving on a Tuesday afternoon expecting the same access will leave you disappointed.
Several of the hotels above also address this at the property level rather than making you rely on the public schedule. The Westin Fort Lauderdale, The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, and Hotel Maren each maintain a grassy pet-relief area on or near the property, so you’re not hunting for a patch of grass at 6 a.m. before coffee. If a hotel doesn’t mention a relief area in its policy, ask the front desk at check-in - it’s a five-second question that saves a frustrating first walk.
Heat, Hydration, and Beach Safety
South Florida sun and hot pavement are a real hazard for paws, not just a warm-weather inconvenience. Before a walk, press the back of your hand to the sidewalk or parking lot surface for a few seconds - if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. Shift walk times to early morning or evening when the ground has had a chance to cool, and carry water for both of you rather than assuming you’ll find a fountain.
Never leave a dog in a parked car in Fort Lauderdale, even briefly and even with the windows cracked - interior temperatures climb far faster than outside air temperature, and it doesn’t take long to become dangerous. If you’re spending beach time during the Friday-through-Sunday dog-friendly window, rinse salt water and sand off paws afterward, since salt can dry out paw pads and irritate skin with repeated exposure. Pack a towel for this specifically; a wet, sandy dog in a hotel room is its own kind of mistake to avoid.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming “pet-friendly” means no size limit. Several hotels on this list cap weight at 25 or 40 lb - check before you book if you’re traveling with a larger dog, and lean toward Bahia Mar’s 80 lb allowance if size is a concern.
- Mixing up per-night and per-stay fees. The Westin Fort Lauderdale bills $50 per pet per night, while most beachfront properties charge a flat per-stay fee instead. Do the math for your actual trip length before comparing hotels on price alone.
- Skipping the relief-area question at check-in. Not every hotel advertises its grassy pet-relief area up front, even when one exists. Ask when you arrive rather than wandering the property with a dog who needs to go.
- Ignoring the Friday-through-Sunday beach schedule. Fort Lauderdale Beach’s dog-friendly hours run Friday through Sunday, not every day - build your beach plans around that window instead of assuming daily access.
- Leaving a dog in a parked car. Even a short errand can turn dangerous in South Florida heat; bring your dog inside or leave them in the hotel room instead.
FAQ
Q: How many pet-friendly hotels does Fort Lauderdale have? A: BringFido currently lists 376 pet-friendly hotels in the Fort Lauderdale area, so the eight properties above are a curated starting point rather than the full list.
Q: What’s the cheapest dog-friendly hotel in this guide? A: La Quinta By Wyndham Ft Lauderdale Cypress Creek Hotel, with a nightly rate around $38 and no stated weight limit for dogs.
Q: Which hotel allows the largest dogs? A: Bahia Mar Ft Lauderdale Beach - DoubleTree by Hilton allows dogs up to 80 lb, the highest weight allowance among the properties covered here.
Q: When is Fort Lauderdale Beach dog-friendly? A: The designated dog-friendly beach area is open Friday through Sunday, according to the policy promoted by Bahia Mar’s DoubleTree by Hilton.
Q: Are pet fees charged per night or per stay? A: It varies by hotel. The Westin Fort Lauderdale charges per pet, per night ($50), while most of the beachfront and boutique properties on this list charge a flat fee per stay instead - always confirm which structure applies before booking.
Q: How far is Fort Lauderdale from Miami? A: About 29 miles, making it an easy side trip if you’re already visiting South Florida with a dog in tow.
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