La Quinta, Red Roof Inn, Motel 6. Ten stays across these three chains over three years, always with Cooper in tow. Not because I’m loyal to budget travel, but because when you’re driving cross-country with a 65-pound golden retriever, “pet-friendly” stops being a perk and becomes a filter that eliminates 80% of your options. I’ve paid as little as $52 and as much as $189 for a single night. I’ve slept in rooms that smelled like industrial cleaner and rooms that smelled like the previous guest’s wet dog. I’ve been greeted with genuine warmth and treated like a nuisance. This is what I actually found.
I’m not reviewing luxury properties. The Kimptons and Fairmonts of the world do pet hospitality well, and they charge accordingly. This review is for the rest of us: the drivers, the road-trippers, the people who need a clean bed, a hot shower, and a place where their dog won’t trigger a $250 cleaning fee or a lecture from the front desk. Three chains, ten stays, no sponsorship, no affiliate links, just what happened.
La Quinta by Wyndham: The Consistent Middle Ground
Stays: 4 (Albuquerque NM, Amarillo TX, Nashville TN, Richmond VA)
La Quinta markets itself aggressively as pet-friendly. Their website claims “pets stay free” at most locations, which is technically true but misleading — the room rate is often $15-25 higher than comparable non-pet properties in the same market, so you’re paying for the pet policy whether it’s itemized or not. I don’t mind this. I mind the pretending.
The consistency is La Quinta’s strength. Every location I’ve stayed at had the same basic setup: tile or laminate flooring (no carpet, which matters enormously when you’re traveling with a shedding dog), a designated pet relief area with waste bags, and staff who didn’t flinch when Cooper walked through the lobby. The rooms are generic — beige walls, standard bedding, a TV with limited channels, a mini-fridge that hums. But they’re clean, the beds are comfortable, and the showers have decent water pressure. For a one-night stop on a long drive, that’s enough.
The pet policy varies slightly by location. Most allow up to two pets with no weight limit, which is rare and valuable for large-breed owners. One location in Nashville had a two-pet limit but no size restriction, meaning Cooper was fine but a Great Dane owner might have issues. Another in Albuquerque asked me to sign a pet agreement at check-in — one page, standard liability language, no deposit required. The process took 90 seconds.
What La Quinta gets wrong: the pet relief areas are usually sad patches of gravel behind the parking lot, often poorly lit and occasionally not cleaned as frequently as they should be. The Amarillo location had a relief area that was essentially a dirt strip between the dumpster and a chain-link fence. Cooper used it, but I didn’t feel great about it. Also, breakfast is free but terrible — powdered eggs, stale pastries, weak coffee. I stopped expecting edible food and started bringing my own.
Overall grade: B+. Reliable, predictable, genuinely pet-welcoming at the corporate level even if individual locations vary in execution. I’d stay again without hesitation.
Red Roof Inn: The Pleasant Surprise
Stays: 3 (Louisville KY, Columbus OH, Charleston WV)
I expected Red Roof to be the worst of the three. The brand has a reputation for being bare-bones, slightly dated, the kind of place you stay when nothing else is available. What I found was the most genuinely pet-friendly experience of any chain I’ve tried.
Red Roof’s pet policy is simple: one well-behaved pet stays free per room. No weight limits, no breed restrictions, no deposits, no fees, no paperwork. The “well-behaved” part is honor system, and I appreciate the trust. Cooper is well-behaved. I don’t need to prove it with documentation or pay a premium for the assumption.
The Columbus location surprised me most. The front desk clerk greeted Cooper by name — not because I’d told her, but because she’d read my reservation notes. She handed me a bag with two treats, a collapsible water bowl, and a printed map of nearby dog parks. The room had hard flooring, which I expected, but it also had a small grassy area directly outside my ground-floor door, separated from the parking lot by a low hedge. I could let Cooper out at 6 AM without getting fully dressed or walking across a dark parking lot. That single design choice — ground-floor rooms with adjacent green space — made the stay measurably better than any La Quinta or Motel 6 experience.
The Charleston location was older, more worn, with a bathroom that needed recaulking and a TV remote that only worked from certain angles. But the staff was warm, the pet area was maintained, and the rate was $61. For that price, I’ll tolerate dated decor. The Louisville location fell somewhere between — newer than Charleston, not as thoughtfully designed as Columbus, but perfectly adequate.
What Red Roof gets wrong: inconsistency in room quality. The newer “Red Roof Plus” locations are noticeably better — updated furnishings, better lighting, more reliable WiFi. The standard locations range from acceptable to rough. You can’t assume a Red Roof will be clean just because the chain allows pets. You have to check reviews for the specific property. Also, no breakfast at all. Not even bad breakfast. Just coffee in the lobby and a vending machine. Plan accordingly.
Overall grade: A-. The best pet policy in the industry, thoughtful design at newer locations, and staff who seem to actually like dogs. The variable room quality keeps it from a straight A, but I’d choose Red Roof over La Quinta for any trip where the specific locations are comparable.
Motel 6: The Bare Minimum That Works
Stays: 3 (Tucson AZ, Oklahoma City OK, Little Rock AR)
Motel 6 allows pets. That’s about all they do. There’s no welcome, no designated relief area, no treats, no map, no acknowledgment that your pet exists beyond the fact that they don’t charge extra for it. In a strange way, this neutrality is refreshing. No performative pet-friendliness, no hidden fees, no rules beyond “keep your pet under control.” Just a room, a bed, and the absence of judgment.
The rooms are basic to the point of austerity. Laminate floors, which I appreciate for pet travel. A bed, a desk, a chair, a TV with limited channels. No mini-fridge, no microwave, no coffee maker. The bathrooms are functional. The towels are thin. The pillows are flat. You get what you pay for, and you’re not paying much — my Motel 6 stays averaged $58 per night, the cheapest of the three chains.
The Tucson location was the best of the three. Recently renovated, with updated flooring and bedding, a small courtyard with benches where I sat with Cooper in the evening, and a staff member who waved at us every time we passed the front desk. The Oklahoma City location was older, with a parking lot that felt slightly unsafe after dark and a pet relief area that was a patch of dead grass next to the dumpster. The Little Rock location was fine — nothing memorable, nothing offensive, a place to sleep and leave.
What Motel 6 gets wrong: the lack of any pet infrastructure. No bags, no designated areas, no staff training on pet-related questions. When I asked the Oklahoma City front desk where I should take Cooper to relieve himself, the clerk shrugged and said “anywhere outside, I guess.” That’s not hostility. It’s indifference. For some travelers, indifference is preferable to the performative friendliness that masks restrictive policies. For others, it’s alienating. I fall somewhere in the middle — I don’t need enthusiasm, but I do appreciate competence.
Overall grade: C+. Cheap, functional, no surprises. The best choice when budget is the primary constraint and you don’t need anything beyond a clean bed and a door that locks. Not my first choice, but not my last either.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | La Quinta | Red Roof Inn | Motel 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average nightly rate (my stays) | $89 | $72 | $58 |
| Pet fee | None (built into rate) | None | None |
| Weight limit | None at most locations | None | None |
| Pet limit per room | 2 at most locations | 1 | 2 |
| Designated pet relief area | Yes, usually gravel | Yes, grass at newer locations | No |
| Pet welcome amenities | None | Treats, bowl, map at select locations | None |
| Breakfast included | Yes, free continental | No | No |
| Room flooring | Laminate/tile | Laminate/tile | Laminate |
| Staff attitude toward pets | Professional, neutral | Warm, genuinely welcoming | Indifferent |
| Overall grade | B+ | A- | C+ |
What I Bring to Every Hotel Stay
Regardless of chain, I pack the same kit. It lives in a duffel bag in my trunk, ready for any unexpected stop:
- Cooper’s bed, which keeps him off the hotel furniture and gives him a familiar smell in an unfamiliar place
- A towel specifically for muddy paws, because hotel lobbies are not the place to discover your dog stepped in something
- Food and water bowls — collapsible silicone ones that take up minimal space
- Enough food for the stay plus two extra days, because breakdowns and detours happen
- A roll of poop bags, because running out in a hotel parking lot is a special kind of stress
- A sheet to cover the bed if Cooper jumps up, protecting the linens and my cleaning fee conscience
- His vaccination records, because some properties ask and I don’t want to be caught without them
- A white noise app on my phone, because hotel hallway noise at 2 AM wakes Cooper, and a barking dog in a hotel is a fast track to eviction
The bed is non-negotiable. Cooper slept on the floor once, on tile, and was stiff and miserable the next morning. After that, the bed came on every trip. It’s bulky, but it transforms any generic room into a space where he can actually rest.
The Bottom Line
If I had to choose one chain for all future road trips, it would be Red Roof Inn. Not because every location is perfect — they’re not. But because the corporate commitment to genuine pet-friendliness, the absence of fees and restrictions, and the staff training that produces moments like the Columbus welcome bag create a consistent experience of being valued rather than tolerated. La Quinta is my backup when Red Roof isn’t available. Motel 6 is my emergency option when budget is the only consideration.
The truth about pet-friendly hotel chains is that none of them are truly designed for pets. They’re designed for humans who happen to travel with pets. The difference between good and bad isn’t architecture or amenities. It’s attitude. Red Roof has it. La Quinta approximates it. Motel 6 doesn’t bother pretending. Depending on your priorities, any of those might be exactly what you need.
Related Articles
Hotel stays are just one piece of the travel puzzle. These articles from our site cover the connected logistics and alternatives:
- How I Found Pet-Friendly Airbnb Rentals That Actually Welcome Dogs — For longer stays, Airbnb often beats hotels. This covers the search strategies that separate genuine welcomes from performative tolerance.
- How to Plan a Pet-Friendly Vacation — The broader framework for trip planning, from route selection to daily scheduling that keeps your dog engaged on the road.
- My Experience Flying With a Pet: What Airlines Don’t Tell You — Sometimes driving and hotels aren’t practical. This covers the air travel realities that determine when flying makes sense.
- How I Pack a Lightweight Travel Kit for Pet Comfort — The specific items in my trunk duffel, including why each one matters and what I’ve learned to leave behind.
- How I Prepare My Pet for Holiday Boarding and When I Skip It — Hotels aren’t always the answer. This covers when boarding, pet sitting, or bringing Cooper along is the better choice.
- How I Handle Feeding Schedules While Traveling With Pets — Road trip nutrition requires planning. This covers how I maintain Cooper’s diet across time zones, hotel rooms, and unpredictable schedules.
- A Day in the Life: My Dog’s Routine at a Pet-Friendly Beach Town — Hotels are stops along the way. This is what the destination looks like when you finally arrive somewhere worth staying.
- How I Explore Cities Safely With My Pet Step by Step — Urban hotel stays require different navigation than highway stops. This covers leash laws, safe spaces, and city-specific hazards.
- Managing Pet Stress During Loud Noises and Busy Days — Hotel environments are full of unfamiliar sounds and smells. These techniques help Cooper settle in quickly and sleep through the night.
- How to Recognize Signs of Pet Stress — New environments trigger stress responses. This helps distinguish between normal travel adjustment and distress that requires changing your plans.
Sources and References
- La Quinta by Wyndham. “Pet Policy.” https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/laquinta/pet-policy
- Red Roof Inn. “Pets Stay Free.” https://www.redroof.com/pets
- Motel 6. “Pets Welcome Policy.” https://www.motel6.com/en/motel6-pets.html
- American Kennel Club. “Tips for Staying in Hotels With Your Dog.” https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/travel/tips-for-staying-in-hotels-with-your-dog/
- PetMD. “How to Travel With Your Dog in Hotels.” https://www.petmd.com/dog/travel/how-to-travel-with-your-dog-in-hotels
- BringFido. “Pet Friendly Hotel Chains.” https://www.bringfido.com/hotel_chains/
This review reflects personal stays at specific locations of La Quinta by Wyndham, Red Roof Inn, and Motel 6 between 2023 and 2026, always with Cooper, a Golden Retriever. Individual property experiences vary by location, management, and renovation status. Rates, policies, and amenities change over time. Verify current pet policies directly with properties before booking.
Daniel Maxfield is a pet care writer focused on practical guidance for modern pet owners. He covers pet wellness, grooming, behavior, travel routines, and everyday care habits for dogs and cats. Through reader-focused educational content, Daniel shares simple and accessible tips designed to support healthier, safer, and more organized daily life with pets.