La Quinta on Shallowford Road in Chattanooga

Best Western Heritage Inn, Chatanooga. It has an in-house restaurant, City Cafe Diner, that's decent, which makes it nice, as after a day's drive we never feel like getting back into the car to go eat. Actually, this is one of our favorite pet-friendly places to stay. Nice rooms, and as much as I like Drury's free happy hour and spread of appetizers/salad/potatoes, it's not really my kind of food--mostly too heavy for traveling.

423/899-3311

Chattanooga Hotels | BEST WESTERN Heritage Inn | Hotels in North Chattanooga

We travel with a Westie (20 lb) and always stay at a Hampton Inn. We've tried other hotel chains, but Hampton is the best: clean, great towels & shower, wonderful breakfast, reasonable price (no charge for pet), always pleasant staff. Don't know it there are Hampton Inns where you are going, but check their website. Be sure to click filter for pet-friendly (not all Hamptons permit pets). Good luck!

I have stayed at both the LaQuinta and Comfort Suites in Dalton, Georgia. Both are nice hotels right off I-75. I just made reservations (both ways) in December.

Even with the pet fee, Comfort Suites was quite a bit cheaper than LaQuinta.

I just hope we will find some restaurants open on Christmas Day!

We did not get as far as Chattanooga so we stayed at Drury in Marietta again.

From what I have seen, in two stays, the staff at that Drury is excellent. There was a young woman in the busy dining room that evening. She was helping people and clearing tables. Turns out, she was one of the managers.....

I am impressed when I observe managers pitching in and working alongside their staff, instead of strutting around looking pompous or hiding in the office. I like that among-'em-style of boss and have always thought it has to help the overall operation of the business in many ways.