HotelChatter

Terry Spalding is the Director of the Privileged Pet Program at the tony San Ysidro Ranch (you know, Oprah’s neighbor) in the coastal mountains outside Santa Barbara.

San Ysidro Ranch has a long history of welcoming pampered pets, ever since former owner Alvin Weingand’s famous family of dachshunds frolicked freely throughout the property in the 1930’s. Since then, the resort has instituted a $100 per-stay rate for bringing four-legged friends along to enjoy the famed gardens and 17 miles of hiking trails on the Ranch’s property.

In addition to the guest registration, accompanying pets are asked to “sign in” at reception. To bring your pet, you have to rent one of the free-standing cottages, and once inside, the doggy finds custom SYR bedding, bowls for food and water, dog treats, and a Bow Wow Beanies toy to rip apart.

Pets are also invited to enjoy in-room massages that run half an hour, and are geared for easing aches and pains from running around the property all day, at the cost of $75. Unfortunately, pets can’t use the pool or restaurant due to health codes, but we didn’t see any restrictions on in-room dining, and who doesn’t enjoy an intimate tête-à-tête in their room?