Business Pundit

I think this is a great move by Starwood Hotels.

“We intend to become the most dog-friendly hotel company in the land, and not just allow dogs to stay, but actually pamper and spoil them,” said Barry Sternlicht, Starwood’s chairman and chief executive, in a statement.

Starwood cited studies that showed 76 percent of dog owners would be more loyal to a hotel chain that accepted dogs.

Here in Florida, everyone has a dog and they all stay inside. I know tons of people who would love to travel with their dogs but can’t. Granted, dogless people may not want to stay in a room that is usually occupied by dogs, but I think the dog-lover demographic has grown large enough to support this business strategy. I suspect within a few years most hotels will have a few rooms where pets are allowed.