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.

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wave on wave

Exhibit on Jewish immigration to Texas lands at Galveston museum

Bryan Museum/Facebook

The Bryan Museum will open the new exhibit in November.

A new exhibit about the role Galveston played in bringing immigrants to Texas is set to open at the Bryan Museum. The exhibit will particularly highlight the wave of Jewish immigrants from Russia and Eastern Europe in the early 1900s as they fled increasing persecution and pogroms.

Port of Promise: Jewish Pioneers of Texas explores the history of the Galveston Plan, sometimes known as the Galveston Movement. Between 1907 and 1914, roughly 10,000 Jews left Russia after a series of bloody pogroms sparked by conspiracy theories that Jewish leaders had assassinated Tsar Alexander II. Developed with support from the Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives at Rice University, it shows how these immigrants spread through Texas as pioneers and entrepreneurs, building communities in America.

“The impact of The Galveston Plan cannot be overstated. These determined individuals overcame tremendous obstacles to becoming some of the most successful and philanthropic people in the history of Texas,” said Charles C. Foster, immigration attorney and historian.

Port of Promise opens November 7 and runs through January 21, 2027. Admittance is included with general tickets.

Though the exhibit is primarily focused on the Galveston Movement, the island's role as one of the largest immigration hubs in the United States during the 1800s is also explored. Known as the Ellis Island of the West, Galveston handled around 200,000 immigrants between 1845 and 1948. For much of this time period, there were no restrictions on immigration into the U.S., and people from Europe, Latin America, and South America were all processed through the Port of Galveston.

According to Foster, the wave of Jewish migration sparked anti-immigrant backlashes in the Northeastern United States, prompting Jewish community leaders to direct migrants to Texas.

“With anti-immigration policies and anti-native sentiments rising, Galveston was strategically chosen as a great alternative to the crowded cities of the Northeast,” said Foster. “It wasn’t just a port; it was a plan. A way to welcome Jewish immigrants into the heart of the country instead of concentrating them on the East Coast.”

With immigration a hot button topic in contemporary politics, the Bryan Museum felt it was important to celebrate how much previous waves have contributed to Texas.

"Texas has always been shaped by people who arrived seeking opportunity and the chance to build a better future," said Melissa Williams Murphy, Bryan Museum executive director. "This exhibition honors the extraordinary contributions of immigrants whose impact continues to be felt across our state while ensuring their stories are preserved for future generations."

In addition to the exhibit, the Bryan Museum will also host three special public programs throughout the run. These include a panel talk with Foster on the Galveston Plan; a presentation by Robert Sakowitz on his family's luxury stores in the state; and a lecture by Dr. Nancy Katz on Jewish Texas before and after the Galveston Plan. Tickets for these events are separate from admission and must be reserved in advance through the Bryan Museum website.

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