WoodSpring Hotels implemented a 100 percent pet-friendly policy at its WoodSpring Suites hotels nationwide.
As part of the new policy, guests will be required to pay a one-time fee for any cat or dog depending on the length of stay. Additionally, all WoodSpring Suites hotels will have waste stations available for their guests’ pets to use when taking them outside.
“Many Americans consider their pets to be members of their family, and a growing number of families are making their pets a more integral part of their travel experience,” Wendy Hoekwater, WoodSpring Hotels' chief marketing officer, said in a statement. “As a hotel brand that caters to long-term stays, we are taking great strides to ensure our guests receive a space they truly feel is like a second home.”
“Not only does our pet-friendly program open our doors to our guests’ furry friends, but it also opens doors to a profitable and competitive consumer segment,” Gary DeLapp, president and CEO of WoodSpring Hotels, said in a statement. “According to the American Pets Products Association, Americans spent $66.75 billion on their pets in 2016, with estimates going as high as $69.36 billion in 2017. We’re now able to attract guests with pets looking for awesome and affordable extended-stay hotel accommodations, and we expect to see our occupancy and room revenue increase as a direct result of our pet-friendly program.”
This announcement comes shortly after the brand enters the final stages of its repositioning, which includes other guest-centric updates, such as brandwide free wireless internet and new bedding. “Working with our key stakeholders, we are constantly making sure we’re tapped into what extended-stay guests wants in their hotel and then offering those desires at a reasonable rate,” DeLapp said. “Our pet-friendly program is just another great example of this process coming to life.”