BOW WOW AND MEOW! LOEWS HOTELS WELCOME FOUR-LEGGED GUESTS WITH “LOEWS LOVES PETS” PROGRAM
NEW YORK – Pets have a passport to travel at Loews Hotels. Since the introduction of the “Loews Loves Pets” program in 2000, many VIPs (Very Important Pets) have made Loews Hotels their home away from home, enjoying the special treatment and privileges that are offered at the chain’s 18 properties in the U.S. and Canada. As part of the Loews Loves Pets program, each visiting VIP can travel in first-class comfort with gourmet room service, specialized bedding, a pet amenity, and guest services designed to make pets and their owners feel right at home.
“More and more people see their pets as members of the family and want to bring them along when they travel,” says Emily Kanders Goldfischer, vice president of public relations for Loews Hotels. “Having accepted pets for years, Loews Hotels has been at the forefront of the pet travel trend, and the Loews Loves Pets program allows us to formalize that welcome.”
Last year, Americans spent an estimated $32.4 billion on their pets, up from $17 billion in 1994. Travel with pets has been on the rise over the last few years; a 2003 survey of Americans revealed that nearly 62 percent travel with their pet and this figure is up from 58 percent in 1995 (source: American Animal Hospital Association).
Pet Purr-ks
As part of the Loews Love Pets program, all animals are Very Important Pets (VIPs). Each pet is welcomed with a personal note from the hotel’s general manager which includes a listing of pet services available at the hotel including a map of the area with dog-walking routes highlighted, and information on veterinarians, pet shops, groomers, pet attractions and other resources. In the guestroom is a special amenity that includes special pet place mats with food and water bowls, toys and treats, and a “Do Not Disturb” sign that lets housekeeping know that a pet is in the room. Pet walking and pet sitting services are available through the hotels’ concierge desks. The latest addition to the Loews Loves Pets program is the “Puppy Pager” service. For the duration of their stay, pet owners are asked for a cell phone number that enables the hotel staff to contact them immediately in case of emergency.
Finicky felines and hungry canines can choose from their own special room service menu that was designed to provide proper nutrition to help pets deal with travel stress including jet lag and altitude adjustments. The pet room service varies at each hotel and most include items such as roasted salmon and tuna delight for cats and bow wow burgers, chicken and rice and grilled filet for dogs. All menu items and preparations for the room service menu were developed and approved by a licensed veterinarian.
Loews Hotels also loans its guests pet necessities such as dog and cat beds in different sizes, leashes and collars, and pet videos. Kitty litter boxes and litter, pooper-scoopers, and a selection of pet toys (such as rawhide bones, catnip, and scratch poles) are also available for purchase.
Each hotel has established special cleaning procedures for pet stays including the use of HEPA-filtered vacuums so that all traces of pet allergens are removed in preparation for the next guest. A flat fee of $25 per stay is required of all guests who bring their pet along.
Pet Charities
The management and staff at Loews Hotels are also committed to showing animal appreciation in their communities. As part of the chain’s Good Neighbor Program, all Loews Hotels are involved with local animal charities through ongoing donations, volunteerism, and fundraising events. Each year, Loews Hotels hosts pet fundraising events at its properties, ranging from bark breakfasts to yappy hours. Since the inception of the program in 1999, Loews Hotels has raised more than $70,000 for animal charities across the U.S. and in Canada.
“Pets provide unconditional love and people love their pets unconditionally,” adds Goldfischer. “At Loews, we’ve found that taking care of pets is one of the best ways to build customer loyalty and give our guests—and their companions—a good night’s sleep.”
Headquartered in New York City, Loews Hotels owns and/or operates 18 hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Canada. Loews boasts some of the industry’s most innovative and successful travel programs, including Loews Loves Kids for families, T. Loews for demanding teenagers, Generation G catering to the growing “grand-travel” market and Loews Loves Pets for the most discerning animals. Loews Hotels has one-of-a-kind four star properties in major city centers and resort destinations from coast to coast, each offering a unique travel experience that reflects its location. For more information, visit www.loewshotels.com.
