New Hotel Has Clients Pawing Down Door

OMAHA, Neb. -- Deluxe suites and luxurious bedding are part of the draw at Omaha's newest hotel, which opens this weekend. Management said guests are pawing at the door to get in.

PetSmart opens its first pet hotel in Omaha on Saturday, television station KETV reported.

"We are, in fact, a hotel for dogs, and we try to run it like a hotel as much as possible," said PetSmart's Cecilia Crawford.

Crawford said it's the amenities that sets it apart from a regular kennel. Each suite comes with a hypoallergenic lambskin blanket, a color TV and a "bone booth" so the pets can call home. Felines can enjoy luxurious lodging, too.

"We also have room service," Crawford said.

On the menu: a heaping bowl of lactose-free ice cream.

"I think it's wonderful," said pet owner Donna Bain. "It's great for (them) to have a place to spend the night and have somebody watch them the whole time, so I don't have to worry that something is going to happen while I'm gone."

When Bain picks up her pet, she'll get a complete "pawgress report."

"They're kind of like my kids, so I worry about them a little, and it's nice to have a good 24-hour baby sitter," Bain said.

A night at the hotel costs between $21 and $31 a night for dogs and $14 for a cat. There is also a day care-only option, which costs less.