Note: This is a creative, first-person story based on common pet policies and real hotel brands. Policies change by location. Always call the front desk to confirm cat rules, fees, and limits.
Quick heads-up
Travel with a cat isn’t hard. It’s a puzzle. You pack the litter box, the scoop, the food, the tiny spoon your cat thinks is fancy, and hope the hotel doesn’t blink when you say, “Yes, I have a cat.” Some places do blink. The good ones don’t.
If you’re hunting for proven stays, I recently pulled together this list of cat-friendly hotels I’d pick again—all vetted with a carrier in hand.
Here’s the thing: real chains and real spots do welcome cats. I’m sharing the ones I keep on my short list, plus how it actually feels to check in with a carrier, a litter mat, and a very opinionated fur boss.
My simple cat travel setup
- Hard carrier with a towel that smells like home
- Pop-up litter box + clumping litter in a zip bag
- Litter mat (saves the carpet and my nerves)
- Collapsible bowls
- Vet records on my phone (front desk folks ask sometimes)
You know what? The litter mat is the hero. It keeps the mess in one place. My socks thank me.
Kimpton Hotels: no pet fee, real welcome
Kimpton is the chill kid on the block. No pet fees. No size limits. Cats are allowed at most Kimpton hotels, and staff usually act like your pet is a guest, not a problem. You can even skim Kimpton’s official pet-friendly hotel guide to double-check the zero-fee promise before you book. I’ve seen water bowls in the lobby, a door hanger that says there’s a pet inside, and even a loaner bed if you need it.
How it feels: You walk in, someone smiles at the carrier, and you don’t brace for a fee. The room is modern, clean, and usually has hardwood or low-pile carpet. Good for a litter mat. If your cat hides, the bed frame is often boxed in, which helps a lot.
Pros: no fee, friendly staff, good rooms
Cons: price varies by city; call to confirm cats are okay at that location
Real examples to look up: Kimpton Hotel Palomar (various cities), Kimpton Monaco (various cities), Kimpton Everly in Hollywood
Red Roof Inn: budget, simple rules
Red Roof Inn is kind to wallets. Many locations allow one pet, and often for free. Yes, cats. That’s the part folks forget. Full details sit on Red Roof Inn’s pet policy page, though some individual sites add limits, so you do have to call. But when it works, it just works.
How it feels: Straightforward check-in. No fuss. Rooms are basic, but the vinyl floors help with litter stray. The AC hum is steady, which calms nervous cats. Mine? She likes the bath mat. Don’t ask me why.
If your California route dips down the 101 and you end up near Silicon Valley after dark, scanning for a place that won’t side-eye a litter box, the local listings compiled on One Night Affair’s Mountain View backpage deliver up-to-date snapshots of budget motels and guest reviews—handy for spotting which spots stay truly pet-tolerant before you pull into the lot.
Pros: often no pet fee, easy highway stops
Cons: quality varies by location; call to confirm cats
Real examples to check: Red Roof Inn Plus+ locations near airports and interstates
La Quinta by Wyndham: lots of locations, cat-friendly at many
La Quinta shows up in the places you actually need to stop. Many locations take cats. Some charge a small pet fee, and a few don’t accept pets at all now, so, yes, pick up the phone. When it’s a go, it’s smooth.
How it feels: Clean rooms, good light, decent space for a litter corner. Breakfast downstairs is simple, and the staff is used to travelers who just want coffee and to hit the road. Same.
On a recent Midwestern loop, I spent six straight weekends testing hotels in Stillwater, MN and saw La Quinta’s cat policy hold steady across multiple properties.
Pros: common along road trip routes, often fine with cats
Cons: pet fees vary; policies changed at some sites
Real examples to search: La Quinta Inn & Suites near major interstates and suburban hubs
Motel 6: two pets, super clear policy
Motel 6 leans practical. Many locations allow up to two pets. Cats are usually fine, as long as they’re quiet and under control. No frills, but that’s the point.
How it feels: You park close to your door at a lot of sites, which makes carrier moves easy. Floors are hard surface, so litter stray is easy to sweep. Bring your own extra towel for the litter area; it helps more than you think.
On one desert swing, I actually slept around Boulder City, NV hotel rooms—cat carrier in tow—and those hard floors were a lifesaver for quick clean-ups.
Pros: low prices, clear rules, easy access
Cons: basic rooms; call to confirm cats and any limits
Real examples: Motel 6 properties near state lines and airport loops
Extended Stay America: good for long cat stays
If you’re working remote or visiting family for a week, this one makes sense. Many locations accept cats, with a pet fee that’s often daily with a cap. Kitchens are clutch. A fridge for wet food? Yes, please.
How it feels: You can set up a neat litter station—mat, box, trash bag—and it stays out of the way. Housekeeping schedules are flexible, which matters with a shy cat. Put the “Pet in Room” sign up when you step out.
Pros: kitchen, space, flexible cleaning
Cons: pet fees; some rooms show wear
Real examples: Extended Stay America near business parks, medical centers, and suburban nodes
I'm also eyeing the Fortune Hotel brand, which recently rolled out a cat-friendly policy that, on paper, rivals Kimpton for sheer ease and zero-drama check-ins.
What actually matters with cats
- Floor type: Hard floors > thick carpet
- Bed frames: Boxed-in frames help with escape artists
- Elevators: Quieter ones spook cats less
- Nearby grass: Not for cats, sure, but for quick breaks if you also travel with a dog
- Staff vibe: A calm front desk sets the tone
A small note on noise: High floors are quieter. But lugging a carrier to the 8th floor can feel like a workout. I ask for 3rd or 4th. Quiet enough, still easy.
Little things I pack (that save me)
- Painter’s tape to secure the litter bag to the trash can
- A spare pillowcase as a litter mat backup
- A tiny night light so I don’t step in litter at 2 a.m.
- A blanket to drape over the carrier—cat bunker mode
Honestly, that night light has saved my toes more than once.
Fees and fine print (keep it real)
- Kimpton: usually no pet fee; cats allowed at most sites
- Red Roof Inn: often no fee; one pet common; call to confirm cats
- La Quinta: many allow cats; fees vary by hotel
- Motel 6: pets allowed at many sites; up to two; call first
- Extended Stay America: cats allowed at many locations; daily fee with a cap
Policies change. Staff changes. Managers change. A 60-second call saves headaches.
For traveler gossip and brutally honest stories about which properties actually keep their pet promises, hop over to fuckpal.com, where day-by-day threads dish on surprise fees, policy loopholes, and first-hand check-in experiences you won’t find in glossy brochures.
Final thoughts
If I had to rank by pure ease with a cat, I’d say: Kimpton first for the no-fee welcome, Red Roof Inn for budget stops, and Extended Stay America for longer stays with a clean litter setup. La Quinta and Motel 6 fill the gaps on long drives when you just need a calm room and a place to set the box.
Travel with a cat isn’t fancy. It’s simple, and it’s tender. You make a small space feel like home for one night. A towel, a mat, a soft voice. That’s the whole trick.