Rating: Summary: Outdated, incomplete information Review: I was very surprised to read all the negative reviews of this book. I am online now to order the updated version, as I have been working from the 3rd Edition for the last 5 years. I guess I have had no trouble because I always doublechecked by phone before appearing somewhere with any of my pets, mastiffs, all of whom weigh from 100 to 180 pounds. Many hotels change their policies about pets as they encounter difficulties; such as adding weight restrictions, refundable deposits, non-refundable deposits or simply revoking their pet policies altogether. It is always best to double check by phone before appearing. However, even despite this, this book has never steered me in the wrong direction. As a person who trains, shows and travels extensively all over the country with large animals, this book has been an invaluable resource and I recommend it very highly.
Rating: Summary: Vacationing With Your Pet Review: I was very surprised to read all the negative reviews of this book. I am online now to order the updated version, as I have been working from the 3rd Edition for the last 5 years. I guess I have had no trouble because I always doublechecked by phone before appearing somewhere with any of my pets, mastiffs, all of whom weigh from 100 to 180 pounds. Many hotels change their policies about pets as they encounter difficulties; such as adding weight restrictions, refundable deposits, non-refundable deposits or simply revoking their pet policies altogether. It is always best to double check by phone before appearing. However, even despite this, this book has never steered me in the wrong direction. As a person who trains, shows and travels extensively all over the country with large animals, this book has been an invaluable resource and I recommend it very highly.
Rating: Summary: Nice Idea -try again Review: I wish I'd read the customer reviews BEFORE I bought this book. I gave it as a gift to some dog lovers and they report back that only about 50% of hotels/motels listed actually accept dogs. Often BIG dogs are not as welcome as smaller ones! This book is not as useful as one would hope...
Rating: Summary: Problems With Accuracy Review: I've only called 2 listings in this book but neither take pets and were quite adamant about it. Don't know where the author got this information or if anyone has bothered to update it from edition to edition but it might be worth the time and expense to check everything before the next edition comes out.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Resource Review: I, too, am amazed to read the bad reviews. An "autobiography of the author"? "self-serving"?, are we looking at the same book? Mine has pointers about traveling with your pet, training tips, road tips, kenneling, tips for vacationing with your pets, etc, certainly nothing related to the above quoted comments from other reviews. I always call ahead for reservations and tell the motel/hotel I have a large dog (60+ lbs.). I have never had a motel listed in this book say they did not take pets, there is generally a small additional charge at the motels for having a pet, not unexpected nor unreasonable. I travel frequently (although not cross country) and this guide has been invaluable. Perhaps mine is a later edition than others reviewing here have, however, I have nothing but praise for this book. It is much better than other similar books I have used when traveling.
Rating: Summary: Great book! Takes the worry out of finding lodging. Review: My husband and I traveled across the US last November with our dachshund. This book was a life saver for us. We are planning another long trip and I am ordering another edition. I recommend it highly.
Rating: Summary: There are better guides out there! Review: Since this book doesn't actually have anything in it beyond the outdated addresses and phone numbers of places that take pets, it's very unhelpful. You don't get to read about what kind of place you'll be staying at; there are no categories of accomodation. Plus you're forced to endure Barish's badly metered poetry about her dogs, and she has a catalog of useless items you can order from her listed in the back. Spend about the same amount of money on a really great guide: On the Road Again With Man's Best Friend.
Rating: Summary: Overall very useful, informative and convenient. Review: Some information is outdated but I always confirm pet policies in advance. I like this guide because it has all the information in one place, so I don't have to worry about a dozen different hotel guide books. In addition it includes information about the harder to find B&B's and family run hotels.
Rating: Summary: Call Ahead! Review: This book is an excellent place to start and gives you an idea of chains that typically take pets -- a surprising number. However, I just got burned trying to find a place to stay late at night in Baltimore. Two of the places listed in the book did not take pets, had never taken pets. I ended up in a hotel you would not believe because I was just too exhausted to keep driving. So ... take what's in this book with a grain of salt and phone ahead. Or buy a different book. I threw my copy away when I got to New York, if that tells you anything.
Rating: Summary: Hitting the road Review: This is a great book! As a freelance worker, I take spontaneous road trips with my four-legged buddy Sam. I leave the book in the glove compartment (where it fits perfectly!) so it's always handy and off we go. It makes traveling with Sam a breeze! It's the best book out there.
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