Shonda
I'm a Lead Category Manager at BringFido. I often travel with my partner, our daughter and two dogs, Lucy and Barnaby. I am based in South Carolina, but we love being on the road looking for new attractions to recommend on the website. I especially enjoy meeting other "dog people" when we travel and hope to have the chance to meet you soon!
Reviews (25)
Everything I could ask for
Hampton Inn & Suites LenoirBlowing Rock was too pricey for us, so we elected to stay in Lenoir and drive in. This Hampton Inn and a quick drive to downtown Lenoir, which we loved! The hotel is quiet, and clean. I've learned to avoid anywhere under $100 a night these days, and I felt this hotel gave us what we paid for.
There is ample grass around the perimeter of the hotel, plus a pet waste station at the back of the property. Easy to walk your dogs in and out while avoiding the breakfast area. This was a great choice for our trip to Tweetsie Railroad. I felt very safe and would happily stay again.
A great night out!
25 Drive in Auto Theatrewe had a lot of fun taking the dogs to see a movie at the drive in. well worth a visit.
Greet weeknight hangs with the pups
Pins Mechanical Co.This is a great mid-week spot to hang with the pups. We were there on a Monday evening and had the place to ourselves. They were very accommodating of our dogs. We ordered pizza delivery and enjoyed dinner and drinks with the dogs before playing bowling and pin ball. (The pin ball machines could use a tune-up, though.)
Great place to hang out
The Pool ClubWe had a great time hanging out by the pool with the pups. The brussels sprouts are excellent!
Clean, Quiet, and Comfortable
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Pigeon Forge DollywoodWould stay again! We booked an Executive King room on the second floor that overlooked the front of the hotel, which allowed me to see my car in the brightly lit parking lot. The rooms were updated and clean, and the location was right on the parkway. There were several fast food places in front of the hotel. There is a pet relief area by the La Quinta sign, plus a larger green space in front of the next door Super 8. Be aware the pool is shared with the Super 8, so I expect that area is packed when open. They are pretty strict about no pets in the lobby during the morning, but I found using the side exits was no inconvenience at all. This was a perfect spot for us and the dogs after a long day at Dollywood/Doggywood!
The Lavender-Honey Ice Cream Is a Must Try!
Clare's CreameryClare's is a small neighborhood ice cream shop with three umbrella-shaded picnic tables. Dogs are not allowed inside the shop, but you can tie them up outside or easily see them inside your car from the shop's large windows. Expect boutique prices, even for the pup cups (they are SO CUTE!).
I appreciated the staff for bringing my milkshake out to me so I could stay outside with the kid and pups. We will return!
Good Value
La Quinta by Wyndham Charleston Riverview3.75 🦴
Cons: One of the elevators kept making weird sounds and freaked me out. The mirror, bottom of toilet and bathtub could have been better cleaned. I found coins in the floor and a can in the trash from a prior occupant. There was no bag in the can.
Pros: The property was right by the marina and a quick 10-minute Uber from King St. The hotel was quiet and smelled nice. The lobby was tidy and well furnished. I was pleased at the space to grab a table and hang in the lobby with my laptop. Beds were comfy and the linens were spotless. All of the doors had proper locks and worked correctly. We appreciated that they had the air on prior to our arrival (in early November its still warm here in SC). Would stay again with the pups. Given the ridiculous price of hotels directly on the peninsula, I felt like I got my money's worth. In addition, the grounds were well lit. I would feel safe staying at this hotel alone with the dogs. Walking with my partner, I had zero concerns about walking the pups at dark.
A Puppy Palace
3 B's Inn, Bed, Breakfast & Biscuits3B's was great. From the moment we pulled in, the proprietor Glen was there to meet us and give us a tour of the property. The room was a spacious retro-feeling, motel-style room. It was spacious, comfortable, and sparkling clean. The room smelled fresh, and there was even a puppy station for leashes, food and water bowls, a dog bed and extra pet sheets so Barnaby could lounge with us while protecting the furniture.
The grounds were LOVELY. A small pond for dogs to swim and a gorgeous little walking trail. It felt so tranquil and comfortable. We had the opportunity to hang out around the fire pit with other dog people, and I found that to be a ton of fun! The other guests respected the rules regarding leashes, and I found them to be friendly without being overbearing.
From the delicious breakfast, to the comfortable beds and great shower, Barnaby had an excellent stay in the room and in the air conditioned "Mutt Hutt" doggie suite the property. On top of all that, Asheville is less than half an hour away. I can't wait to come back.
Fun!
Tortuga JacksFood was great. we saw multiple dogs while we dined. they immediately brought out a bowl of water and then promptly refilled it. No dog menu but a side of chicken hit the spot for Barnaby. Both dogs and humans felt very welcome and enjoyed the live music from the shaded tiki bar.
Worth the visit
Fort Frederica National MonumentThe grounds are expansive, and we found plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the cultural exhibits and the gorgeous live oaks. The ranger and master gardener we spoke to were incredibly friendly and seemed pleased with our questions. the ranger was also great with our dogs, insisting they stop by for a treat before leaving.
Highly recommend
Jekyll Island Dolphin ToursMy dog settled into the boat ride comfortably. The tour is 90 minutes, and the guides were both informative and hilarious. Not only did we enjoy an amazing sunset boat ride, we also learned so much about dolphins and the local history surrounding Jekyll and other barrier islands. A fun excursion for the entire family and worth every penny. I plan to go again on our return visit!
Truly a gem!
Unique Tiny House LivingMy friend and I rented this tiny house/she-shed combo to celebrate our 10-year friendaversary. It was better than we had even anticipated. The tiny house is comfortable and well-appointed. We comfortably cooked several nights during our stay, and I appreciated having a full shower. The dogs loved the yard, which is huge! Doppie, the King of all Poms loved running from one end of the yard to the other after Ball. The She-shed was quite comfortable, particularly the bed and linens. The neighborhood is very walkable and we found neighbors to be extremely friend. We were very pleased with the quiet, residential area, and the location cannot be beat. We got to Jekyll Island and St Simons Island in minutes. Highly recommend.
A great resource
Pawsitive Effects Dog TrainingJulie has been such a valuable resource for me as a pet parent. She has a true passion for dog training, and I have a lot of respect for her emphasis on positive reinforcement. She's so patient with the pups, and she doesn't judge you or dismiss your questions. She has a lot of experience!
A Great Spot to Hang Outside with Fido
North Carolina ArboretumAfter searching out a socially-distanced spot to enjoy an afternoon, the arboretum did the trick! Having the dogs with us naturally helped us avoid the more crowded areas. A wonderful spot to picnic and walkabout.
I trust no one else!
House of PawsMy dogs only see Andrea at House of Paws. She's an experienced pet parent and groomer, and I've always had great interactions. I like that I can see my dogs in the kennel area when I come in, and they do not use heated dryers. She's easy to work with and rates are very reasonable. Highly recommended!
Great for the entire family!
Pisgah National ForestBoth the dog and the toddler enjoyed our day picnicing and hiking in the forest. We loved the picnic tables right off of Hwy 276; we stopped, had lunch, and let the kids play in the creek. The area and water was clean and free of litter. We loved the Pink Beds Picnic Area and Trail!
Fun for the whole family!
Pink Beds TrailWe took our dog Barnaby and our toddler on this trail. There are plenty of little access points to the creek that my dog loved, and the trail was flat enough that it didnt kill is when we had to carry the kiddo. The flora on display was gorgeous. Highly recommended for Fido!
Love this place!
Willy Taco Feed & SeedThey have a great patio and they are always friendly towards my dogs. this is my favorite patio.
Great Experience All The Way Around
Best Western HickoryWe loved our stay at the Best Western Hickory. The property was clean and modern and was very quiet for a Saturday night stay. The hotel is close by the interstate and nearby dining and grocery options. Holden at the front desk was exceptionally kind and professional. The hotel offered interior and exterior rooms, and the breakfast area was quite nice. We didn't use the pool, but it was very clean and appeared to be well-maintained. Pet fee is reasonable and while there were other dogs there, they were quiet. Not a ton of grassy spaces, but definitely enough for my dogs to get in a quick walk to do their business.
Overrated
Cafe du MondeWe were seated by wait staff at a table, only to have a surly older gentleman come up and tell us that we had to leave because of our dogs. We informed him we had asked about seating and were placed at our table by a waiter. He seemed mad and walked away, but he never returned.
The tables are tiny and cramped. There is minimal move to move around. The coffee and beignets were tasty, but the atmosphere in the covered patio left a lot to be desired. I had never been there, so I'm glad I went, but I have no desire to return to their patio. I'd rather get something to go and sit literally anywhere else.
Three stars because the food was good, but the service left much to be desired.
Great food and so dog friendly!
Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar & RestaurantTheir Cloudbreak Cobb salad was THE BOMB. The staff was very welcoming of our dogs, bringing water and towels to help us dry them off after a run through the rain. I love the indoor/outdoor concept. The food and drinks were top notch. My only complaint was that our table was directly behind the bar stools, so we were frequently bumped into by tipsy patrons. Otherwise it was a great experience. Our pup loved the dog menu!
SUPER PET FRIENDLY
Aloft New Orleans DowntownI have to say, my experience was the opposite of the other reviewer. I found all of the staff to be incredibly approachable and friendly to us and our dogs. We were asked once to be sure our dogs did not lounge on the lobby couch, but we were asked politely and discreetly. The bar staff were great! We booked multiple pet friendly rooms, and we took our dogs down to the bar with us. They were a hit! While the hotel isn't in the quarter, I found it to be an easy walk away. There isn't any green space around the hotel, but that's par for the course in most urban areas. I definitely enjoyed my stay and will return again. I love Aloft!
Great downtown hotel
Aloft Greenville DowntownWe were all comfortable at the Aloft! They were so pet friendly without compromising on the quality of the hotel. I love the hotel bar and their truffle fries are to die for!
A MUST VISIT!
Flamingo A-Go-GoI LOVED Flamingo-A-Go-Go! Their pet friendly courtyard was great - I loved the decor and the set up. The staff was so kind to us and they absolutely doted on our dogs. I loved the atmosphere, the food, and the bottomless mimosas! If you're heading to New Orleans with your pup, this is a MUST VISIT. I look forward to coming back. Their parm chicken bites were excellent.