Pet Palace Package at the Serrano San Francisco

The thing about most pet friendly hotels is that they are pet friendly in name only. Meaning that they allow pet owners to keep their four legged friends in-room, but expect that none of the other guests should even notice that there are dogs or cats in the room next door. But a real hotel which welcomes pets wouldn't be like that. They'd make arrangements to make the pets feel at home, and offer doggie treats and such to entice pet owners to stay.

One such hotel is Kimpton's Serrano hotel in San Francisco's Union Square. They even have a 'Pet Palace package' which goes the extra mile, and in addition to deluxe accomodations, includes special doggy biscuits, and an ample supply of after-dinner disposable clean-up bags. And in case you need it, the hotel stocks convenient pet-friendly necessities such as gourmet lamb & rice dog food, leashes, and rawhide fetch-it sticks. Package rates from $189. Use promo code PPET. More details here.

Complimentary services at the Serrano include morning coffee and tea, and manager's hosted wine reception in the evening, free high speed internet, limo service to the Financial District on working days, a well equipped fitness and business centers.

Plus, most Kimptons, including the Serrano, are pretty neat family hotels and have all the little things like cribs and playpens and pacifiers available upon request. The Ponzu bar & restaurant takes care of the room service, and the hotel offers valet services, including valet parking. Oh, and if you bring in a hybrid vehicle, you get 25% off parking charges.

FYI, I tried a booking, but for dates in September, the only thing available was a couple of suites well above $300, and when I tried Oct, their system said the package was not available. Just so you know...

Info: 405 Taylor Street San Francisco CA 94102; (866) 289-6561; www.serranohotel.com/