As the sun sets at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa, guests bring their dogs out of their dog-friendly guest rooms and walk along the paved and grassy golf course paths, to socialize with other guests during “Yappy Hour.”

The Westin Mission Hills is an upscale dog-friendly resort that caters to canine guests year-round.  Dogs up to 50 pounds are welcome to stay in guest rooms for no additional fee. Upon check-in, the resort will collect a refundable $100 deposit in case of damage to the room. Dogs have the opportunity to sleep in a signature Westin Heavenly dog bed and have miles of lawns and paved walking paths to explore while on a leash. There is even a special “pooch menu” for dogs dining with guests on the patio of Pinzimini and Fireside Lounge.

Through their partnership with Animal Samaritans, the resort presents an adoptable dog in the lobby. The furry and friendly pooch lives in an elaborate doghouse, which is a replica of the hotel. Guests of the resort can sign up at concierge and front desk to meet, walk and play with a new four-legged friend.

While adopting a dog on vacation might seem like an unlikely choice, visitors throughout the country and Canada have adopted 120 furry friends in the last three years.

The best time of the year to visit Palm Springs and the surrounding communities is from late October to May. The temperature is pleasant and cooler than during the summer months. However on August 24, the resort is having a special reunion for the guests who have adopted dogs through their program. The resort’s bartenders will create cocktails with names like the Salty Dog, made with New Amsterdam Vodka and grapefruit juice; the Frisky Chihuahua Margarita made with jalapeno-infused tequila and the Pit Bull made with tequila, orange flavor liqueur and grapefruit juice. Guests can pair their drinks with appetizers, while four-legged furry guests receive house-made dog treats.

This reunion includes speeches and a special screening of The Secret Life of Pets at the resort. Vendors from local pet stores and pet foundations will join this celebration, providing supplies and information about adoption.

Tom Scaramellino, the General Manager at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa adopted his dog, Wyatt, through this partnership. Various employees of the hotel have also found their beloved pups through the program. “Guests love being greeted with a furry friend in the lobby. When you travel often, you leave many important facets of your life at home, and our program allows guests to enjoy some puppy love that might have been left behind.” Scaramellino said.

For more information, visit westinmissionhills.com.

This articles was featured on August 6, 2018 in LuxeBeat Magazine.