Pet-friendly Hotels

10 luxurious Texas hotels that pamper pets, too

Summer adventures can leave more than just school and work behind, there's also your four-legged friend. Instead of getting a sitter, why not pack up your pet for some tail-wagging experiences that include the whole pack?

Here are 10 luxurious Texas hotels that treat you and Fido like family.

Austin

Hotel Ella
Rooted in Texas history, Hotel Ella offers a boutique experience with historical charm right next door to the University of Texas at Austin. Rooms are elegant yet modern with plenty of space for a pet bed, and two pets of any size are accepted for a fee of $50 per stay. This hotel is within a short walk of Pease Park, the Shoal Creek Greenbelt, and attractions like the Blanton Museum of Art and Harry Ransom Center. Goodall’s Kitchen & Bar, the onsite restaurant, also receives excellent reviews.

W Austin Hotel
Bordering the ever-popular ACL Live at the Moody Theater, the stylish and smart W Austin is surrounded by restaurants and is a 15-minute walk to the Capitol. Top sites Zilker Park and Barton Springs are a five-minute drive away. Through the hotel's P.A.W. (Pets Are Welcome) program, pets receive a bed, bowls, and treats in the room. Additionally, concierge services like dog walking and sitting, veterinary care, and even birthday cake delivery are provided. At check-in, pets also receive a toy, tag, and clean-up bags. Dogs and cats less than 40 pounds are welcome with a $25 room fee and a $100 nonrefundable cleaning fee.

Dallas

Aloft Dallas Downtown
At the Aloft Dallas Downtown you and your fur baby can lap up fun and comfort. Chic, colorful rooms are flooded with natural light and feature 14-foot ceilings, walk-in showers, and tons of pet-friendly perks. Two dogs up to 40 pounds can stay for free and enjoy complimentary beds, water bowls, treats, and toys. A doggie daycare is nearby as well. Pioneer Plaza is adjacent to the hotel, and it's a 20-minute walk to the Trinity River Greenbelt Park, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and Dallas World Aquarium.

Hotel Lumen
A contemporary and sleek design defines the Hotel Lumen, which has unique, luxury extras like an evening wine hour and yoga mats in each room. Multiple pets of any size stay for free, and the front desk can recommend pet-friendly activities and services. As a neighbor to Southern Methodist University, guests have easy access to The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and green spaces Curtis Park and Katy Trail are a 20-minute walk away.

Fort Worth

The Ashton Hotel
Smack dab in the heart of downtown, The Ashton Hotel fuses contemporary elements with home-like accents in two historic buildings. All rooms are pet-friendly, and two pets of any size are allowed for a $50 nonrefundable fee. Sundance Square and the Sid Richardson Museum are a five-minute walk away, as are quality restaurants and the Fort Worth Convention Center. To give your beloved canine some running room, try stretching their legs at Trinity Park (20-minute walk) or the Fort Woof Dog Park (10-minute drive).

Houston

Hotel Granduca
This classic and cozy hotel has an Italian influence and a ton of amenities for both you and your pooch. Spacious rooms include kitchens, 24-hour room service, and free Wi-Fi; pets receive treats and bowls. A 24-hour concierge is available to provide information on all things pet-friendly, including dining, shopping, and entertainment. Two pets less than 60 pounds are allowed for a $125 nonrefundable deposit, but get this: A portion of the fee is donated to a no-kill animal shelter in Houston. For green space, the 1,500-acre Memorial Park plus the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center are not too far away.

Hotel ZaZa Houston
Luxury and relaxation combine at Hotel ZaZa Houston where lavish marble bathrooms and cozy neutrals blanket each room. And pets don’t have it too shabby either. Doggy goodie baskets, room service pet menus, and food and water bowls are provided, as are walking services. All rooms are pet-friendly, with two dogs or cats of any size allowed for a fee of $150 per pet. Plus, thanks to the hotel’s location in the Museum District, guests can walk to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Zoo, and Hermann Park.

Marfa

Hotel Paisano
For your next magical adventure to West Texas, make reservations at Hotel Paisano. This historical hot spot offers a doggie bag upon check-in, and the front desk staff can also direct you to a nearby dog park. The quaint city of Marfa is very walkable, and Hotel Paisano's central location will practically beg you to take an evening stroll with your pooch. Pets under 20 pounds are allowed — just let the staff know when booking your stay and be prepared for a $20 nightly fee.

San Antonio

The Emily Morgan Hotel
This DoubleTree by Hilton is across the street from The Alamo and just a 10-minute walk from the central River Walk area. The Gothic Revival style with gargoyles and cast iron touches harken back to its history, while modern rooms offer excellent views. A $50 nonrefundable pet fee is required, and pets of any size are welcome. Doggy daycares and grooming spas are nearby, and both Madison Square Park and Hemisfair Park are within a 15-minute walk. Pet-friendly restaurants like Charlie Wants a Burger (five-minute walk) and The Cove (10-minute drive) are also close.

Hotel Havana
The Hotel Havana has a refined yet comfy Mediterranean style and is nestled on the River Walk’s northern edge. This boutique hotel’s rooms are all pet-friendly, and dogs of any size are welcome for a fee of $25 per stay. Adjacent is the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, while Travis Park and Madison Square Park are a five-minute walk. Top attractions like The Alamo and the River Walk are a 10-minute walk away. The onsite restaurant Ocho and Havana Bar come highly recommended.

Dogs of all sizes are welcome at Hotel Havana in San Antonio.

Hotel Havana dog-friendly accommodations

Photo courtesy of Hotel Havana

Dogs of all sizes are welcome at Hotel Havana in San Antonio.

vacation hotels

Now hear this

New Texas museum shines spotlight on Tejano music history

Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum, San Antonio, tejano music

Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Roger Hernandez serves as board president of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum.

For a city that proudly calls itself the capital of Tejano music, San Antonio has long been missing a permanent place to honor the genre’s pioneers and preserve its history. That gap officially closed In December with the opening of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum at 1414 Fredericksburg Rd.

The music couldn’t have found a better steward than its founder and board president. Roger Hernandez has had his finger on the pulse of Tejano music for decades. His company, En Caliente Productions, has provided a platform for countless performing artists and songwriters in Tejano, conjunto, and regional Mexican music since 1982.

Hernandez says his wife, who ran a shop at Market Square years ago, would often get questions from visitors about the location of a physical Tejano music museum, a thing that simply did not exist. In 2022, he banded together with friends, family, and other local Tejano music supporters to make the nonprofit Hall of Fame a reality.

“I decided I've been in the music scene for over 40 years, it's time to do a museum,” Hernandez recalls.

Hernandez says a brick-and-mortar Tejano music museum has long been needed to remember musical acts and other individuals who grew the genre across Texas and northern Mexico, especially those who are aging. Recently, the community lost famed Tejano music producer Manny Guerra and Abraham Quintanilla, the renowned Tejano singer/songwriter and father of the late superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Both deaths occurred roughly one week after the Totally Tejano museum opened to the public.

“They're all dying. They're all getting older, and we need to acknowledge all these people,” Hernandez says.

The Totally Tejano Museum — named after Hernandez’s Totally Tejano Television Roku streaming — has 5,000 square feet of space packed with plaques, photos, promotional posters, musical instruments, and other memorabilia honoring the pioneers and stars of the beloved genre. Mannequins wear stage outfits from icons like Laura Canales and Flaco Jimenez, and a wall of photos remembers late greats. Totally Tejano Television plays legendary performances on a loop, bringing the exhibits to life.

The newly opened Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum includes a growing collection of memorabilia. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Hernandez says the museum will soon welcome permanent and rotating exhibits, including traveling shows, a Hall of Fame section, and an area paying homage to Chicano music crossovers, such as the late Johnny Rodriguez, the South Texas singer-songwriter who blended country with Tex-Mex music. Plans call for the organization to hold its inaugural Hall of Fame induction in February 2026.

Eventually, a 2,000 square feet back room will be converted into additional display space and host industry gatherings, community symposiums, and record and video release parties. The museum also plans to add a gift and record shop and a music learning room where visitors can listen to early Tejano music and browse archival photos. Hernandez is already talking with local school districts about educational field trips.

Much like Tejano itself, the museum is a grassroots production. Hernandez and fellow board members have used their own money to rent, renovate, develop, and maintain the museum space. The board also leads the selection of the Hall of Fame honorees and curates the exhibits.

Hernandez has been heartened by the museum’s reception, both from media outlets and music fans around Texas and beyond.

“We had a radio station come in this morning from Houston to interview us,” he says. “People have come in from Lubbock, Texas. We have had people from Midland, Texas. We have another person who emailed us who’s coming in from New York. People are learning all about us.”

That includes many of the musicians who helped shape the genre. Johnny Hernandez, Sunny Ozuna, Elida Reyna, and Danny Martinez from Danny and The Tejanos are among the luminaries who have already graced the halls.

The Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum is now open 10 am-6 pm, Tuesday-Sunday, and closed Monday. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Fans can call 210-314-1310 for more information.

san antonio tejano music museums hall of fame music openings