A ‘ruff’ life in Nantucket

As a dog owner, I’ve found there are two options when it comes to traveling: either take my pup along or feel the insurmountable guilt of leaving him behind. I try to choose the former whenever possible. And now the choice has just gotten easier with the opening of the Woof Hotel in Nantucket.

The 12-room stand-alone extension of the Harbor House Village offers everything to make a pooch feel right at home, including a special Woof Hotel doggie bed, toys, treats, food and water bowls, and a doggie beach towel. The hotel also offers “Woof Park,” a fenced in dog-run, so puppies can play off-leash while their parents enjoy Yappy Hour with Cisco Brewery’s “Hair of the Dog” beer on Friday evenings.

Room rates start at $180 per night, based on double occupancy plus one dog. This may seem a little pricey, but it’s actually a pretty great value when you add in the extra benefit of taking your dog along on a vacation. You must also consider that dogs fly to Nantucket for $20 round-trip on Cape Air; it’s usually an $80 fee on other airlines.

Nantucket is a very dog-friendly destination and the hotel provides a directory of popular dog runs and activities. If you’re flying into Boston, Logan Airport welcomes travelers and their pets with new treats and Red Sox apparel for your furry friend available at their Hudson News stores.