When it comes to finding the perfect vacation destination, we have more tools at our fingertips than ever before. Want a beachside hut in Bali with a gas stove and wifi? A yurt in Boise with complimentary breakfast? A 4-star high-rise hotel in Manhattan? With services like Airbnb and Priceline, it’s only a few clicks away. But with so many options available to us humans, the question for many pet parents remains: when it’s time to travel, what are we going to do with our dogs—and how can we ensure they enjoy a luxurious staycation while we’re away?
Considering 47% of Americans have at least one dog—and 94% of them consider their dog a member of the family—these days it’s especially important that our dogs enjoy the comforts and amenities of a real home (rather than a cold kennel). That’s where a service like Rover.com comes in.
With Rover, you can find the perfect pet sitter online. Sitters offer in-home care so your pet gets the TLC of a loving family while you’re away. And as it turns out, a lot of them offer doggy destinations as fancy as your own vacation spot. So with that, join us as we explore the swankiest vacation homes…for dogs.
Vegas Vacation
Sitter: Carol K.
Location: Las Vegas, NV
This gorgeous home offers canine guests a huge enclosed yard filled with lush grass, a stunning pool, and a family of dog lovers to play with—plus a canine companion. “Our gentle, medium-size Siberian husky is always ready to run and play inside our home or outside in our large high-walled doggy-proof yard,” sitter Carol K. explains.
Look at that well-coiffed property! Vegas dogs really win big with on this staycation—and so do their parents, knowing their pal is in good hands.
Come to Sheltie Country
Sitter: Melanie M.
Location: Tallahassee, FL
This gorgeous 20-acre farm with a huge fenced area features cows, horses, and plenty of frisbee games with their six (six!) adorable shelties. Dogs enjoy plenty of exercise, a sitter with 40 years of animal experience, and complimentary grooming (a.k.a. the spa treatment).
“We don’t have kids,” sitter Melanie explains, “so our dogs are our children.” An experienced dog breeder with a deep understanding of canine behavior, Melanie offers dogs a fun and peaceful environment full of new friends—and an enviable destination for canines and humans alike.
Swanky Summer Camp for Dogs
Sitter: Sharon C.
Location: West Milford, NJ
This is truly a lakefront property to drool over. With a fenced-in yard and a laissez-faire attitude toward furniture (i.e. dogs can sleep anywhere they please), New Jersey dogs go wild for this vacation destination.
Calling themselves a “doggy camp,” your pal will have plenty of canine companions. And the huge yard and accommodations means stress-free socialization.
Pampered Pets in Texas
Sitter: Martha J.
Location: Austin, TX
Located on over three acres of fenced-in property with a 3,000 square foot home open to curious canines, this dog-sitting destination has it all: pool, privacy (a 6-foot fence helps contain any doggy escape artists), and a host with animal first aid experience. Plus, every dog gets his or her own room!
“The house is perfect for dogs,” sitter Matha J. says. “We get to know the pups on short- and long-term stays, and learn how to make them the most comfortable while they’re here.”
Picture this: Your furry friend, be-doggled and stretched out by the pool, munching on a treat while the humans nearby give him belly rubs. That whimper? It’s your dog begging for you to leave town so he can live this dream.
Poolside Paradise
Sitter: Michelle J.
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Gorgeous garden? Check. Crystal-clear pool? Check. Large fenced-in yard for puppy playtime? Check. Coupled with a pet sitter whose work-from-home schedule allows for round-the-clock care, and it’s hard to say no to this vacation home.
It’s no surprise they call this a “puppy palace.” Look at that gazebo! Sitter Michelle J. describes their place as “a naturally fun, clean, safe, and interactive environment” where dogs can feel at home.
The Northeastern Countryside
Sitter: Eileen H.
Location: Boyertown, PA
This 5-acre former farm offers doggy guests the ultimate staycation. Your best friend’s host, sitter Eileen H., has 30 years of experience training, showing, and breeding wired-hair fox terriers and German shepherds. These folks are real dog lovers at heart, and their open field provides ample space to roam and play.
Since she works from home, Eileen has plenty of time to snuggle your dog—day and night—so your pal is bound to have a blast. And that gorgeous view of the surrounding countryside? Well, that sure doesn’t hurt, either. “Dogs just can’t get enough of our five acres of rolling hills— two natural springs included,” sitter Eileen says. Yes, please.
Miami Retreat
Sitter: Julian B.
Location: Miami, FL
This quiet lakefront home comes equipped with tiled floors and adoring dog lovers. Sitter Julian B. only watches one dog at a time, and they’re free to roam the entire house (and climb on any furniture—score).
“We only take few dogs at a time,” Julian says. “I own no cages, and your dogs are free to roam the house as they would at their home. We are pet people and since we don’t currently have a pet, we love to take care of others like they’re our own.”
Surrounded by palm trees and right in the thick of bustling Miami, this doggy destination is the perfect retreat for a hot weather dog to relax, unwind, and await the return of his adoring pet parents.
Malibu Villa
Sitter: Allison R.
Location: Malibu, CA
This California wonderland sits right near the Zuma Ridge Trailhead—a great spot for a dog/human hike. With a huge yard filled with green grass and a loving family, visiting dogs always get the care they deserve.
“We are positive that your pup will feel right at home immediately,” sitter Allison says. Dogs get long walks throughout this beautiful neighborhood, plus complimentary canine playdates. And whether your dog prefers curling up on the living room couch or snuggling in bed, he’s more than welcome.
There you have it—evidence that our dogs are enjoying vacations as luxurious and fun as our own. So the next time you leave town, consider giving your dog the gift of a memorable and swanky stay with a loving sitter. You’ll still miss your dog—and they’ll still miss you…just maybe not quite as much while they’re lounging poolside and bounding through fields with a sweet dog sitter at their side.
Top Image Source: Flickr /Karen
