Are you planning a trip with your service dog? Finding the right place to stay can be tricky, especially when it’s unclear how accommodations handle animals on the property.
You’ll be glad to know that Booking.com has taken steps to make travel more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. Whether you're traveling for work or a holiday and rely on your service dog, it's important to ensure your stay will be a positive experience for both of you. That, of course, requires some preparation ahead of time and a careful review of the property’s policy.
Booking.com is one of the world’s largest online travel platforms, offering a wide range of accommodations and services. That said, in today’s article, we’ll explore the service dog policies of their listed properties to ensure you and your furry friend have a pleasant stay.
Understanding Service Dogs
You’ve probably read this many times in our articles, but we want to make sure everyone is on the same page—whether you're an experienced service dog handler or simply a reader interested in the topic.
A service dog is a dog individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person’s disability. These dogs are not pets but rather a form of medical aid, and their support can be crucial to the individual’s safety and quality of life.
Common types of service dogs include guide dogs for the blind (also known as seeing-eye dogs), mobility support dogs, medical alert dogs, hearing dogs, and psychiatric service dogs. The tasks service dogs perform can vary greatly from person to person and in some cases, they may not be immediately visible. With that in mind, you should always be thoughtful and considerate when interacting with service dog teams.
Many countries have laws protecting the rights of individuals with
service dogs, including the right to access public accommodations
without discrimination. Booking.com aligns with these principles to
ensure that properties listed on their platform accommodate guests
traveling with their service dogs.
How Does Booking.com Accommodate Guests with Service Dogs?
Booking.com outlines in its policy that accessibility is an important consideration on the platform. Property owners and hosts are expected to accommodate guests with disabilities, including those who rely on service dogs. This involves following specific guidelines to ensure that assistance/service dogs are welcomed and properly accommodated.
Service Dogs Must Be Accepted—Even at “No Pets”
Properties
Service dogs are not considered pets under disability rights laws, and this distinction is reflected in Booking.com’s policies. This means that even if a hotel, rental apartment, or guesthouse normally enforces a strict "no pets" policy, they are still required to accept service dogs. Hosts can’t deny a booking based on the presence of a service animal, and doing so could be considered discriminatory. You can find more detailed information on the following page: Welcoming
guests with assistance animals.
“In many countries, partners must legally accept bookings from travellers with an assistance animal and not impose additional fees or conditions — even if there is a no pets policy. Legal requirements on assistance animals vary based on location, so you should familiarise yourself and comply with local laws, or reach out to us if you have any questions. By welcoming assistance animals, you’re supporting the independence and freedom of people with disabilities.”
No Extra Fees or Deposits Allowed
Travelers accompanied by a service dog should never be charged more than other guests. This includes pet fees, cleaning deposits, or other charges related to the dog’s presence.
Booking.com makes it clear that assistance animals must be accommodated without any additional cost to the guest, in accordance with legal protections in many countries. This helps protect travelers with disabilities from being charged more simply for bringing the help they rely on. According to the information listed on their website:
- “Travellers with disabilities must be treated respectfully and without discrimination.
- In many countries, partners must legally accept bookings from travellers with an assistance animal and not impose additional fees or conditions.
- Legal requirements on assistance animals vary based on location.”
Reasonable Accommodations Are Expected
It’s not enough to simply tolerate a service dog—hosts are also encouraged to ensure the guest’s experience is comfortable and barrier-free. This could mean offering a ground-floor room if the guest has mobility issues, making sure the staff are aware that a service animal is allowed on the premises, or avoiding unnecessary rules that could interfere with the animal’s ability to perform the trained tasks.
While individual needs may vary, the expectation is of cooperation and respect. Booking.com provides guidance to property owners to help them understand their responsibilities.
Interacting With Assistance Dog Teams
Booking.com advises property owners and staff to interact with assistance/service dog teams respectfully and professionally. Hosts are reminded that service dogs are not pets but working animals trained to assist with specific tasks.
That said, travelers and their assistance animals should be treated with respect and without unnecessary attention or intrusion. To help ensure proper and respectful interactions, Booking.com encourages hosts to avoid:
- Calling out to, whistling at, or otherwise distracting the service dog.
- Touching the dog without first asking for and receiving the handler’s permission.
- Taking offense if the guest declines permission to interact with the dog.
- Offering food or treats to the service animal.
- Asking personal questions about the guest’s disability or making the guest feel pressured to explain their medical or personal situation.
These guidelines aim to support a safe and welcoming environment for guests with disabilities, traveling with their service dogs, while also helping service dogs stay focused on their important work.
Guidelines on How to Welcome Service Dogs
Booking.com encourages property managers and hosts to take active steps in creating an inclusive environment for guests with assistance/service dogs.
This includes ensuring all staff are educated on the legal rights of individuals with disabilities and the expectations for welcoming service dogs.
Hosts are also advised to review and update their internal policies, particularly their non-discrimination and no-pets policies. These updates should ensure access for assistance animals and include clear procedures for addressing any concerns or incidents.
Raising awareness in their internal and external communications is another important step.
Properties can demonstrate their commitment to accessibility by sharing inclusive messaging in both internal and public communications. This might include displaying signs at entrances stating “Assistance animals are welcome” and providing relevant information on the property’s website.
Booking.com also suggests exploring opportunities to collaborate with local assistance dog organizations. Hosting training sessions, participating in community workshops, or supporting relevant causes through volunteering or fundraising can help foster a culture of inclusion and understanding.
Does Booking.com Recognize Emotional Support Animals?
According to their policies, companion animals, such as emotional support animals, are not considered assistance/service animals.
While they may greatly benefit their handler’s emotional state and overall well-being, they don’t undergo specialized training and don’t have the same access rights.
Companion animals provide comfort and companionship thanks to their presence only and unlike service/assistance dogs, they can be various types of domesticated species, not only dogs.
If you’re interested in learning more about the differences between types of support animals, our article Service Animals vs Emotional Support Animals vs Therapy Animals may be helpful.
Tips for Travelers With Service Dogs
If you’re planning a stay through Booking.com and you travel with a service dog, you can expect a respectful and accommodating experience. The booking process generally does not require additional verification for your service dog, but it’s always advisable to:
- Communicate with the property manager directly. Before your stay, you may want to confirm the service dog policy with the accommodation to ensure a smooth arrival.
- Know your rights. Familiarize yourself with the laws protecting service dog users at your destination, whether it’s local, national, or international.
- Prepare documentation if needed. While many places don’t require proof, having a letter from your healthcare provider and service dog certification can be helpful.
Remember that traveling with a service dog shouldn't add stress to your journey. With the right preparation, it doesn't have to. Booking.com’s policies are designed to support their guests’ independence and ensure a smooth and respectful experience.
Wherever your travels take you, we hope you and your service dog enjoy a safe and comfortable stay!
