SUGAR is a very lucky dog. For the past years, we spend our vacations with SUGAR. As Starwood members, SUGAR gets to stay at a major luxury Starwood hotel. Sugar has accumulated many Starwood stays; aka SPGlife and SPGdog.
We often visit Arizona (Phoenix & Scottsdale areas) and stay at Westin Kierland, Westin Downtown or The Phoenician. On our last four Phoenix trips, we stayed at two Starwood Sheraton Grand Collection: 1) Sheraton Grand Phoenix and 2) Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass. Starwood Sheraton Grand is a collection of premier hotels and resorts which feature high levels of design and service.
Luxury Dog Friendly Accommodation Sheraton Grand
Sheraton Grand Phoenix is the largest hotel in Phoenix with 1,000 rooms. It was built from the ground up and opened in October 2008. The downtown location is convenient for business travelers, convention attendees, and sports fanatics.
The Phoenix Convention Center, Chase Field, PetSmart Patio, and Talking Stick Resort Arena are walking distance from the hotel. Sheraton Grand Phoenix does not need a deposit; but requires a pet-friendly agreement waiver. SUGAR had a pawsome time. Read more about SUGAR’s Phoenix Downtown adventure on our previous post, Exploring Downtown Phoenix with Your Dog.
Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass (SGWHP) is the first Sheraton Grand Resort in North America. It was built in 2002 and had gone through a renovation. We’ve stayed here before (not with SUGAR) when the casino was on the property. Now, it’s located about a mile away and known as Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino. Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is about 11 miles from the airport and located on the Gila River Indian Reservation. Pets stay free at SGWHP.
When you enter SGWHP, the first items that will catch your eyes are the ten brightly painted murals that grace the ceiling’s dome. It was created by Penrose Fulwilder that depicts the various aspects of the Gila community culture.
Acclaimed artworks are featured throughout the property. Check out the seven panels at the front and concierge desks. The panels are created by Michael Chiago and represent the districts within the Gila River Indian Community. A narrated tour of the property is available or read the historical books at the Sheraton Link (located at the lower level).
Pima and Maricopa Tribes are the two tribes of the Gila River Indian Community. The 500 guest rooms decor reflect the heritage of each tribe.
The Pima Wing rooms will be surrounded by Squash Blossom basket designs and Maricopa Wing’s displays the water and petroglyph prints.
The grounds are beautiful and tranquil. There are lots of walking paths for you and your dog to enjoy. Last Dec 2015, SUGAR and her Golden Pals Monty and Harlow joined her walking the grounds of SGWHP.
SUGAR also enjoyed exploring the different kinds of cactus on the property.
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SGWHP offers a boat ride service to Rawhide (Western Theme Park – no pets are allowed). We went on several sunset boat rides, and SUGAR loved it.
FUN water sports activities are also available. Only small pets are allowed, but SUGAR was able to join us (a special one-time permission). SUGAR was so happy 🙂
Are the Wild Horses true?
There are about 1,500 Wild Horses that roam the Gila River Indian Reservation.
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Koli Equestrian Center, located in the heart of the Gila River Indian Reservation and offers horseback riding for SGWHP guest. On the ride, you’ll witness breathtaking scenery and might be able to see the Wild Horses.
At the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass Aji SPA, you will experience the world’s most authentic Native American spa services. The Aji Café offers a healthy menu prepared on site. No dogs are allowed in the Aji Spa. Other dining options are 1) elegant dining at Kai, 10 best restaurants in America. and Ko’sin that offers comfort and fusion Native American and Arizona food. Food is also served at the bar area, where dogs are allowed. Both restaurants offer great desserts.
Expect to take lots of photos…
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This year, BlogPaws is going to be held at SGWHP. The conference rooms are spacious and named after the different native animals to the Gila River desert valley.
We are excited about BlogPaws and can’t wait to see our blog pals.
If you plan to go on a luxury dog friendly vacation in Phoenix, AZ, make Sheraton Grand Phoenix or Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass your choice for accommodation.
wow 1000 rooms… I never was in such a big howl-tel…and I wish we could go to Blogpaws… that would be great!
Wow, what a beautiful place! We are looking forward to learning and relaxing there at BlogPaws next week!
Can’t wait to finally meet you and Sugar as well!
The Sheraton Grand sounds grand indeed – I love that dogs are allowed in the bar area 😉
You got the life Sugar!
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
What a wonderful review on dog friendly, high end hotels. We’ve only stayed in a couple of places(when we moved to Colorado and had two dogs with us)that were dog friendly and let me tell you it was awful. The rooms smelled like pee and I couldn’t wait to leave the next morning. Thank you for sharing.
Wags,
Noreen and Hunter
I’m sorry you had a bad experience with dog-friendly places. I hope you won’t give up in finding the perfect place to pamper yourself and your pooch at the same time. In Italy at Rome Cavalieri Hotel, your pooch will receive a royal treatment. Aside from the human foods, they also prepare foods that are safe for dogs and even the dog with the most sensitive stomach will enjoy it without you worrying about him having an upset stomach.
Cool good to know for our road trip series. We recently went to the Fairmount Royal York in Toronto that allowed us to bring in pugs. We interview Doug the Pug there, they were so great and welcoming.
Every hotel should be dog-friendly!
Wow, that sure looks like a mighty great vacation!
Bentley and Pierre can’t wait to see you there next week!
We’ll be there!
Sugar has a more exciting life than me. Sugar is having the time of her life, I hope I get the chance let my dogs experience this with me and my family. It’s always a pleasure to know that there are increasing numbers of hotels and and other vacation destinations that give special treatment to dogs.
So happy to learn more and more hotels are becoming true family friendly – 4 paws and all.
1000 rooms OMCs….that is a lot of people and pups
Hugs madi your bfff
Hallo Sugar. Thank you for your post. I love reading about your adventures. You are a very good beautiful golden ???? have a great day.