Dog friendly hotels near the Big E / areas to take them for a walk?

[scruffy_the_cat]

Heading to the Big E for a major show and I will be staying in a hotel for once since I have to be there from Tuesday- Saturday. I need access to decent walking conditions to help relieve dog stress during our multi-day stay. Anyone have any opinions about any of the local hotels? Last week at a dog show I just walked around the perimeter of the Maine Mall, which was good enough for me. Of course trails and grass and trees are preferable but I don’t really think I’m going to get that in that area.

I did tentatively book the Red Roof Inn in Enfield but I am thinking I might want to be closer to the actual show site.

[vtdobes]

I go to a lot of dog shows at the Big E and always stay at the Red Roof in W. Springfield. I think the rooms are really nice…plus I have a rewards card and have previously earned enough points for a free night

Oh and the Mexican restaurant is right next door!!! No driving necessary

Oh and there is tons of walking/running room on the Big E grounds for dog walking…tons!!

[scruffy_the_cat]

Thanks. I’ve been to the Big E a million times but I always drive back home the same day(outside of Boston). Because our specialty is there this year I am staying over. Yes, there is good walking/running on the big E grounds but I am wondering about “first pee” or getting up in the night or one last relaxing walk before bed.

So the Red Roof Inn in W. Springfield is okay? An agility friend told me about the Enfield one and while Enfield isn’t far, I think I’d rather be closer for this show. Thanks!

[vtdobes]

Yeah it’s a nice hotel. I think there is enough grassy area for bathroom breaks. I don’t usually have a need for too much walking as by the time we get to the hotel mine are all tired anyway

[scruffy_the_cat]

I have found that after a long day in whatever ring, mine really needs to let the stress out.

I’ll see if they still have rooms for that week. Thanks.

[vtdobes]

What kind of dogs are you showing? Are you doing breed ring only or does the specialty also offer ob/rally?

[scruffy_the_cat]

Collies- it’s the national specialty. I’m doing herding, ob, rally, and breed. I am a novice in all areas though my dog is a GCH. I have rocks in my head, I think. :eek:

[vtdobes]

Oh cool…a lady in my obedience class shows Collies (well I don’t think she shows her own dogs…she’s a little older). Is this show in March? I think she might be going.

I’m actually going to the Collie Club of NH ob/rally show next Friday…with my Doberman

[scruffy_the_cat]

This show is the first week in April. She could be going. And there are plenty of older people around. I am going to the CCNH shows but since they neglected to send me the ob/rally premium we are not showing at the trial, just in breed. All the OTCHy folks will be there given the location- have fun. Dave Maurer got a 200 in Open B at our Maine show last weekend and it was a real pleasure to watch.

[vtdobes]

We are showing in rally only…he got his RAE last month but we are still trialing as we are headed to the rally nationals at the end of this month.

I showed at this show last year and have been to that facility a few times for shows…it’s a nice place. So yeah…I’m used to being around all the OTCHy folks!! I always do enjoy watching Dave work his dogs!

[scruffy_the_cat]

If I can sneak away I’ll come and watch. American K9 is only an hour away from me. What time is Rally in the ring?

We have not taken any rally classes and know absolutely zero about it but we did q last weekend in RN. It was fun and I hope to improve our score next time. I signed up for a class and am going tonight.

[vtdobes]

I haven’t gotten the judging schedule yet…hoping tomorrow???

[S1969]

The Holiday Inn in Enfield CT. Only about 15 minutes from the Big E, nice grounds to walk on, and an enclosed tennis court that we have shut the doors on and let our dogs run inside.

You will not regret being “that far” from the Big E. It is very close - so either this one or the Red Roof…very convenient and better walking areas.

http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/enfield/enfct/hoteldetail?qAdlt=1&qBrs=6c.hi.ex.rs.ic.cp.in.sb.cw.cv&qChld=0&qDest=Enfield%2C+CT%2C+United+States&qFRA=1&qGRM=0&qIta=99504425&qLat=41.9761&qLng=-72.5922&qPSt=0&qRRSrt=rt&qRad=30&qRdU=1&qRms=1&qRpn=1&qRpp=10&qSHp=1&qSmP=3&qSrt=sBR&qWch=0&srb_u=1

[scruffy_the_cat]

I have stayed at that Holiday Inn with dogs and it was nice. To be honest, I’m most worried about being at some reception and then having to drive a bit. Or if a group of us want to go to dinner. You are completely correct that the grounds in Enfield are much nicer than anything in Springfield.

VTDobes- You should get the judging program a week ahead of time. Then again for the Maine show the post office mangled the program so it came 4 days before. Eeek.

[S1969]

Oh I was on the phone when I was typing so I didn’t read carefully. Do you have a host hotel? Personally, having just been at our National Specialty in November, I was glad not to have stayed at the host hotel because of the number of dogs staying there. I’m sure we all got better sleep. But in that case, the drive was comparable no matter where you stayed.

My fear about W. Springfield is that if your dog somehow got loose on the main drag it would be in the road immediately. At least at the Holiday Inn we were behind the hotel so it gave a feeling of some security just in case.

But I usually drive back and forth too – I am 90 minutes door to door and it’s just not worth dragging everything I own versus an easy trip on the Mass Pike.

Have fun! Wish our nationals were in Springfield instead of Arkansas!

[vtdobes]

[QUOTE=scruffy the cat;7464978]

VTDobes- You should get the judging program a week ahead of time. Then again for the Maine show the post office mangled the program so it came 4 days before. Eeek.[/QUOTE]

Yes, MB-F usually gets them to us a week prior. Sometimes the smaller show secretaries don’t get them to me until the week of. Not a biggie…I just like to know

[scruffy_the_cat]

S1969- No host hotel for this one. It’s a bit of a drag because I like just going down to the lobby and seeing everyone. After all- how do you decide where to gather to go drink? And yes, this is a valuable National to get to- next year is in Oklahoma. It doesn’t circle back here for many years.

I do agree with you about the road and safety. It makes a big difference. I had to walk on the road at a specialty in CT last month and I was terrified. My dog has a great recall but still. I always think the worst is going to happen.

[Guin]

This is a little far away, but I am pretty sure they allow dogs.
[URL=“http://www.sturbridgehosthotel.com/”]
http://www.sturbridgehosthotel.com/