Skip to content

Animals first: Humans allowed in this hotel designed for pets

Jan. 20, 2020
4 min read
best-friends-room
Animals first: Humans allowed in this hotel designed for pets
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

If you count a dog or cat as a family member, you've no doubt spent a night or two in a pet-friendly hotel, like at a Kimpton that does such a great job welcoming four-legged friends. But, have you ever booked a stay at a hotel that was designed for your pet first and foremost and you -- the human -- come next? Enter Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile in southern Utah.

If you've wanted to visit some of the Southwestern United States' most spectacular natural wonders with your dog in tow, Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile is the place to stay with your fur friends. The new hotel is near the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks in addition to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

Located in Kanab, Utah, the hotel is also just five miles south of the famed Best Friends Animal Sanctuary that takes in orphaned and stray animals and gives them a safe home-between-homes before they are adopted. Nearly 1,600 animals -- cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, horses, goats, pigs and more -- live at the refuge right now, spread across sections like Dogtown, Cat World and Horse Haven. Tours and volunteer opportunities are available at the sanctuary.

Photo courtesy of BestFriendsRoadhouse.org

But, this pet-centric hotel has been so well-designed for dogs and cats, you may have a hard time leaving the property for sightseeing. The complex has 40 rooms and suites, a fenced dog park, dog splash zone, washing station and a general store. A for-fee pet walking service is also available.

When booking, you can pick from a standard room, king suite or even a two-level suite, which sleeps eight humans. All rooms can accommodate up to four animals. Extra care was put into designing the rooms with pets in mind. For example, the hotel points out that its entry foyers were designed with "ninja door dashers" in mind. The layout helps keep your pets safe and in the room while you come and go.

Pets also have their own beds -- on a neat slide-out platform from their human's bed -- or sleeping nooks.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Photo courtesy of BestFriendsRoadhouse.org

While there's no hotel loyalty program, lodging comes with a few nice perks like complimentary continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, shuttle transportation to the Best Friends Welcome Center at the sanctuary and self-serve pet washing and laundry facilities.

And, if you didn't bring your pet along for the trip, you can "borrow" one from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and bring him or her back to the Roadhouse for a sleepover. Or, conversely, if you have an allergy to animal fur, the hotel has you covered with an allergen-free room for those that can't travel with animals.

The complex also has an on-site Mercantile building. Head there for complimentary breakfast, and pick up some food and snacks while you're there. Everything they serve is vegan and supports a plant-based diet. You'll also find sundries, pet necessities that you may have forgotten and branded souvenirs.

Even more enticing than all of the amenities and special touches for dogs and cats, staying at Best Friends Roadhouse contributes to the goals of the Best Friends Animal Society. Staying here is good for you and for thousands of animals that are served by the organization. It's working to make kill shelters a thing of the past in the United States by 2025. Staying at the Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile is just one way to help make that cause a reality.

TPG featured card

4 / 5
Go to review
Rewards rate
1XChoose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee
2XEarn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status + $300 of Bilt Cash
Annual fee
$495
Regular APR
26.74 - 34.74% variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Good Credit, Excellent Credit

Pros

  • Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
  • Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
  • $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
  • $200 Bilt Cash annually
  • Priority Pass membership
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Moderate annual fee
  • Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
  • Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
  • Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
  • 2X points on everyday spend
  • $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
  • $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
  • Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
  • Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
  • Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.