[bespoke]

I've been lurking on this forum for years. We finally closed, by mail, on our new house in Collier in January. The movers will be here in Grand Rapids, MI (-12 wind chill this morning) on March 11. We will be arriving in The Villages on March 13. We will be traveling with a dog and will need to stay in a dog friendly hotel. Can anyone tell me if there is one close to Collier?

Thanks!

[Mike W]

The Holiday Inn Express in Spanish Springs is pet friendly. Not living in TV yet, so I'm not sure how close it is to Collier.

[njbchbum]

It's at the opposite end of the villages and is a lovely property and provides a fine hot or cold breakfast for the rate charged.

And the ride between the two points is a great way to learn and appreciate much of what the villages is all about!

[CFrance]

It's an easy shot from Spanish Springs to Collier, maybe 15 minutes. Welcome! What part of Grand Rapids? We lived in Cascade for 11 years before moving to Muskegon.

Have a safe trip down.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Sleep Inn on 301 is very nice and pet friendly... The Hampton Inn on 466 has limited pet friendly rooms. Book early.

[tippyclubb]

Originally Posted by bespoke

I've been lurking on this forum for years. We finally closed, by mail, on our new house in Collier in January. The movers will be here in Grand Rapids, MI (-12 wind chill this morning) on March 11. We will be arriving in The Villages on March 13. We will be traveling with a dog and will need to stay in a dog friendly hotel. Can anyone tell me if there is one close to Collier?

Thanks!

Congratulations you must be excited. Were from Michigan also and bought a house in Collier last September. Its our last winter and can't wait to get to TV. We will not miss this pot hole state.

Which movers did you use?

[bespoke]

Thanks so much everyone for your responses and ideas!

CFrance - small world ... we lived in Cascade for 11 years overlooking the Thornapple River. We sold that house last year and leased a condo at River House in downtown GR. I remember one of your posts talking about Grand Rapids having 0% sunshine one November - things have not changed.

I've been dreading the drive to Florida with a dog but it seems to me you once posted about driving with a dog and a bird. You have me beat!

Tippy Club - We used Two Men and a Truck to move from our house to this condo and they were terrific. Some friends of ours used them last year to move from Cascade to Pinehurst, NC and they loved them. We're using them again.

(I hope I'm replying correctly!)

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by bespoke

Thanks so much everyone for your responses and ideas!

CFrance - small world ... we lived in Cascade for 11 years overlooking the Thornapple River. We sold that house last year and leased a condo at River House in downtown GR. I remember one of your posts talking about Grand Rapids having 0% sunshine one November - things have not changed.

I've been dreading the drive to Florida with a dog but it seems to me you once posted about driving with a dog and a bird. You have me beat!

Tippy Club - We used Two Men and a Truck to move from our house to this condo and they were terrific. Some friends of ours used them last year to move from Cascade to Pinehurst, NC and they loved them. We're using them again.

(I hope I'm replying correctly!)

We lived on Oak Tree. You must have had a beautiful setting on the Thornapple.

I don't know how big your dog is or how used he is to car travel, but when ours was young we would stop every two hours, until we figured out he really didn't give a rip. Large dog, large bladder. So now we stop every four hours. He just mopes on the backseat, and the bird chatters the whole way, and we bring lots of tylenol.

Have a safe trip. You won't miss the lake-effect winter gloom!

[keithwand]

Not sure about here but you probably know LaQuintas are dog friendly.
The one in Lexington KY is bad but convenient.
The one in Valdosta has FREE happy hour from 6-8 Mondays through Thursday.

[bespoke]

Thanks. More good information. I did not know LaQuintas are pet friendly. I'm favoring the one in Valdosta for sure.

Our dog is a medium size - a Wheaten Terrier. He loves riding in the car because that's how he gets to the dog park. He's going to be pretty unhappy when he realizes we are not on our way to the dog park!

[Sable99]

Mom and I are in Michigan too and often travel to Florida with our two cats. They are great in the car.

If you're coming down 75, the lLaQuinta in Dalton, Georgia is great. In The Villages, we have stayed at the Comfort Suites in Spanish Springs as we like having a living area if we are there a few days. It's a nice hotel.

Lately, we have been renting villas near our home in the Village of Charlotte and leave the cats at home with a pet sitter. I can't wait till we take our home off the rental market and I can move to The Villages full time.

[HTing]

We travel with a dog and two birds from MA to the Villages and the Comfort Suites always takes good care of us. We stayed at the one in Spanish Springs when we passed papers on our home in the villages and they gave us a late checkout with no problems. Welcome to the Villages

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by bespoke

Thanks. More good information. I did not know LaQuintas are pet friendly. I'm favoring the one in Valdosta for sure.

Our dog is a medium size - a Wheaten Terrier. He loves riding in the car because that's how he gets to the dog park. He's going to be pretty unhappy when he realizes we are not on our way to the dog park!

Welcome to The Villages.

There are a lot of motels advertising "pet friendly", but that often means an extra charge for pets. We prefer LaQuintas because they allow two pets to stay FREE.

Once you arrive in your new home, don't forget to bring your dog to the private dog park on CR 101 north of CR 466. It's huge. One area for large dogs over 30 lbs, and another fenced area for small dogs. It's great value, only $3 per visit, or $25 per month for unlimited visits. Your pet must be neutered and have current shots.

Your dog will enjoy it and you'll meet many wonderful dog lovers.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Welcome to The Villages.

There are a lot of motels advertising "pet friendly", but that often means an extra charge for pets. We prefer LaQuintas because they allow two pets to stay FREE.

Once you arrive in your new home, don't forget to bring your dog to the private dog park on CR 101 north of CR 466. It's huge. One area for large dogs over 30 lbs, and another fenced area for small dogs. It's great value, only $3 per visit, or $25 per month for unlimited visits. Your pet must be neutered and have current shots.

Your dog will enjoy it and you'll meet many wonderful dog lovers.

That's true also about Drury Inn, which you can google and find locations on your route. They also have a free happy hour with food--hot dogs, salad, baked potatoes, sometimes a pasta dish, etc., enough to make a meal out of so you don't have to leave the premises and worry about your pet. (I think Monday through Friday) We were happy to find La Quintas and Drurys. It was the first time in 8 years we didn't illegally smuggle the Cockatiel into the room! (Refuse to pay for a six-ounce bird)

If you do go to Doggie Doo Run Run, I will be able to meet the second Wheaton I've ever run across!

[Sable99]

Unfortunately, the closest LaQuinta to The Villages is in Ocala and the closest Drury Inn is in Orlando. I just looked at their website and the Comfort Suite in Spanish Springs now charges a $35 pet fee for the entire stay.