Traveling with loved ones makes your trip more enjoyable. But what happens if your best friend is your pet? While some hotels allow guests to bring pets, not all do. Those that allow pets often have restrictions, fees and other rules that govern how and when you can bring your pet while traveling.

Many Hilton properties are pet-friendly. Here's everything you need to know about the Hilton pet policy before you book your next hotel reservation.

Why people travel with pets

It's increasingly common for travelers to bring their pets with them on vacation. According to the Transportation Department, more than two million pets travel by air annually. Here are some of the most common reasons pet owners bring their furry friends on trips with them:

Service dogs. Service dogs are pets with responsibilities. They help their owners complete daily tasks and serve as companions to their owners by accompanying them everywhere they go.

Pet health. Some pets are in bad health, so pet owners don't want to leave them behind. Other pets have a health regimen they must follow. Bringing the pet along is often easier than explaining the regimen to someone else.

To see friends and family. Pets are often treated like a member of the family. When visiting others, some travelers bring their pets with them like they would their children.

Cheaper than boarding. With the average cost of boarding a dog at $40 a day, bringing your pet with you is often cheaper than boarding it.

The Hilton pet policy

A majority of Hilton hotel locations are pet-friendly. However, that doesn't mean there aren't restrictions or fees associated with bringing your pet with you. Before booking, it's important to understand the Hilton pet policy to know the fees and restrictions of your stay.

During the booking process, guests can add their pets under the "Special Requests" section. There is usually a fee to do so, but if your pet is a service animal, there is no charge.

Pet fees

Pet fees vary from one Hilton location to the next. Additionally, the hotel may charge extra based on the length of your stay.

According to our analysis of the best hotels that allow pets, the average Hilton pet fee was $81.25 per stay. This equated to about 30% of the typical room rate. Both findings were close to the overall average of our survey results.

Size and type of pet restrictions

The restrictions on the size and type of pet vary across Hilton properties. While reviewing a handful of Hilton properties, many did not include weight limits for pets. However, most limited the type of pets to dogs and cats.

Comparison of pet fees and size limits

This table compares how the Hilton pet policy applies for some of the Hilton-owned hotels in Nashville, Tennessee:

Which Hilton brands are pet-friendly?

Hilton has 19 distinct hotel brands, but not all allow guests to bring pets. Of the Hilton brands, only seven are pet-friendly. Fortunately, of the more than 7,000 hotel locations, almost 5,800 of them allow pets. This is approximately 80% of all Hilton hotel locations.

Pet-friendly brands include:

Canopy by Hilton.

Hampton by Hilton.

Tru by Hilton.

Homewood Suites by Hilton.

Home2 Suites by Hilton.

Embassy Suites by Hilton.

Hilton Garden Inn.

That said, just because a Hilton hotel isn't listed on one of those brands above doesn't mean it's not pet-friendly. Individual properties can choose to be more generous with their pet policies and accept pets. The brands above are simply those that accept pets at all hotels within that specific chain.

Other examples of standout pet-friendly Hilton hotels include Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where pets under 40 pounds are welcome (with a $150 pet fee). Pets get dishes, toys and a bed, and the hotel also offers pet sitters for an additional fee. Also in Mexico, the Waldorf Astoria Cancun is pet-friendly, too.

(Photo courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal)

Over at the Conrad Algarve in Portugal, pets up to 66 pounds are welcome, albeit for a €50 fee (about $55).

If Fido prefers all-inclusive, Hilton's all-inclusive, pet-friendly properties include Hilton Cancun All-Inclusive Resort, Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort and DoubleTree by Hilton Bodrum Isil Club Resort. That said, 'all-inclusive' doesn't include the pet fee. That one is extra (usually more than $100 per stay).

There's also the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton, which is technically part of the Virgin Hotels brand, but its Vegas outpost is affiliated with Hilton. Virgin Hotels are pet-friendly across the board with dog beds, dog dishes, treats and a dog bandana — and the doggie perks at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton are no exception.

(Photo courtesy of Virgin Hotels)

Staying with pets compared across hotel brands

In our most recent analysis of hotel pet policies, we ranked the major U.S. hotel chains on various factors including whether or not they allow pets at all, pet fees and consistency of pet policies across properties, among other factors. Here's how they stacked up:

Final thoughts on the Hilton pet policy

The Hilton pet policy allows guests to bring their pets to seven of its 19 hotel brands. While this is fewer than half of its brands, around 80% of Hilton locations are pet-friendly.

Although some Hilton brands are pet-friendly, you'll likely pay extra to bring your pet.

The typical Hilton property charged a pet fee of $50 to $75 for up to four nights and $75 to $125 when staying five nights or longer.

Although these fees increase your traveling costs, they may be cheaper than boarding your pet during your trip.

Frequently asked questionsCan you leave your dog alone in a hotel room?

Each hotel location may have its own rules on leaving pets alone inside a hotel room. Even if the hotel allows it, it's best to have someone in the room with your pet at all times. That way, you can keep your pet from making too much noise or damaging the room.

Additionally, all animals need regular bathroom breaks.

Does Hilton charge fees for bringing your pet?

Hilton does not have set fees for guests who bring pets with them. It's up to each hotel location to determine what to charge.

A typical Hilton pet fee is $50 to $75 for up to four nights and $75 to $125 for stays of five nights or longer. These fees are nonrefundable, so you will not get that money back when you depart the hotel.

Are there size limits on pets at Hilton?

Being pet-friendly doesn't mean that you can bring any type or size of animal with you.

Some Hilton hotels limit the size or weight of pets allowed to stay in the rooms. Many properties restrict pet types to dogs and cats.

Can you leave your dog alone in a hotel room?

Each hotel location may have its own rules on leaving pets alone inside a hotel room. Even if the hotel allows it, it's best to have someone in the room with your pet at all times. That way, you can keep your pet from making too much noise or damaging the room.

Additionally, all animals need regular bathroom breaks.

Does Hilton charge fees for bringing your pet?

Hilton does not have set fees for guests who bring pets with them. It's up to each hotel location to determine what to charge.

A typical Hilton pet fee is $50 to $75 for up to four nights and $75 to $125 for stays of five nights or longer. These fees are nonrefundable, so you will not get that money back when you depart the hotel.

Are there size limits on pets at Hilton?

Being pet-friendly doesn't mean that you can bring any type or size of animal with you.

Some Hilton hotels limit the size or weight of pets allowed to stay in the rooms. Many properties restrict pet types to dogs and cats.