Top Ten Pet Friendly Hotels in Waikiki

Aloha Jeff Dowler CRS, getting the feel for a neighborhood by actually habitating there with your pet is a great way to see if the place is right for you. But if you want just to vacation in Waikiki be prepared for the pet quarantine process, if you bring a pet to Hawaii and it hasn't been vetted, it will NOT be a vacation for your pet and probably won't be much fun for you either. Thanks for the comment.

Aloha Noah, it's not easy or advised that people vacation with their pets in Hawai'i unless they have met all the quarantine requirements imposed by the State. It takes some months in advance of moving or visiting Hawai'i to process and prepare pets for being approved to enter the State of Hawai'i, without entering quarantine. However, interstate pet vacationing is picking up in popularity and more locals are traveling with pets inter-island.

Aloha Patricia Kennedy, Hyatt has traditionally been very accommodating  to any size dog, from my experience. However, many luxury hotels will accommodate your well behaved dog regardless of size you just have to ask, but expect an additional charges. The challenge is more in logistics and travel I have found. Traveling well with a larger breed of dog requires a lot of coordination and expense that most people decide against.

I would never kennel my dog on a plane, which means buying a seat for my larger breed pooch pal. Airlines restrict the number of pets in cabin and it's not unusual to get bumped from a flight unexpectedly because there are too many pets in cabin. Outside of private and chartered aircraft, traveling a long distance with a larger dog  can be very difficult with connecting flights, airport security, lack of areas to excercise and relieve your dog. Flying direct is an option that should always be considered when traveling with a kenneled pet. Thanks for commenting.

Aloha Lottie Kendall there are several steps, not all are mentioned here, required to avoid quarantine.  It includes a veterinarian's physical examination, required micro-chipping, documentation of all shots and vaccinations as well as the recent documentation  that the pet is free of rabies. Once your pet arrives in Hawaii, you will be met at the plane by an official who will take your pet to be processed at a separate facility at the airport. If you are traveling from overseas you must clear customs first before your pet is processed. 

Once all documentation is accounted for and approved and your pet has been physically inspected you will be able to retrieve your pet and be on your way. If there is no microchip, missing documentation or your pet fails the physical inspection for any reason there will be a mandatory 120 day quarantine of your pet. There is also a particular time frame for pet receptions at the airport, fall outside the facilities hours of operation and your pet will spend the night at the airport. If it sounds involved, it is but it gets easier once you experience the process.

Aloha Debbie, it's not an easy thing to do, but if you understand the process it's a logistical challenge more than anything. Mahalo for the visit.