I just bought the 11th edition (2009) of this guidebook, published annually, and I’m thrilled to death. What a great book! It won’t keep you awake at night with a cliffhanger ending, but it’s densely-packed with really useful information. The bulk of it is a list of pet-friendly AAA-approved hotels across the U.S. (and Canada too). Some are in major metropolitan areas, and those are interesting but not crucial (it’s easy, after all, to do an online search for pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco). What I love are all the listings for pet-friendly hotels in small and lesser-known towns. On a road trip to your parents’ house and need a dog-friendly hotel in Xenia, OH? You’re set!

Although the book includes some truly glorious hotels (e.g., The Greenbrier), it’s pretty heavily loaded with more modest (and affordable) hotels like Best Westerns and Comfort Inns. Since they’re all AAA hotels, though, they’ll be safe and clean.

The book also includes very helpful lists of emergency veterinarians, dog parks and dog-friendly major attractions and national parks. They may not be exhaustive (the attractions list, for example, does not include Colonial Williamsburg), but they’re darned good.

Amazon link:
Traveling with Your Pet, 11th Edition: The AAA Petbook