Tucked at the confluence of Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Nicolet, Sault Ste Marie is a vibrant Canadian city. Sitting on the border of the United States and Canada, this city sits at the heart of the Great Lakes region and innately cherishes its roots. As culture buffs, we were thrilled to explore the original meeting ground of the Indigenous peoples, especially since we had our pet with us to explore the sights too. Luckily, there is no dearth of options for a pet-friendly hotel in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. What’s more, we had the option of everything from budget hotels to luxurious ones, which more than welcomed our four-legged companions.
Of course, they had the time of their lives exploring the vibrant waterfront with us. But what they really loved were the world-class outdoors, with the shores of both lakes Superior and Huron boasting four-season adventures. So, whether it was enjoying the delights of the pet-friendly downtown or indulging in hiking and fishing adventures outside the city, exploring Sault Ste Marie with our pet was a delight. Here’s a complete guide to visiting this Canadian city with your beloved companion.
Are you on an extended trip to Ontario? Here’s how to make the most of your upcoming trip to Ontario.
Table of contents
- Glenview Cottages
- Northlander Motel
- Pine Grove Motel
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront
- Comfort Inn
- Super 8 by Wyndham Sault Ste Marie ON
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in Sault Ste Marie, Canada, With Your Pet?
- Pet-Friendly Restaurants / Bars In Sault Ste Marie, Canada
- Pet-Friendly Activities In Sault Ste Marie, Canada
- Best Pet Stores In Sault Ste Marie, Ontario
Glenview Cottages
6
We love it when we find pet-friendly digs beyond hotels, like the gorgeous Glenview Cottages. This dog-friendly hotel-cum-campground site lay conveniently off Highway 17 and had all comforts that we and our doggo needed. Since the hotel permits dogs in specific one/two-bedroom cottages, we called and confirmed, so they had our cottage ready when we arrived. What’s more, the hotel charges a per night fee of 10 USD per dog, up to 2 dogs. If we’d left them alone in the cottage, then they’d be crated according to the hotel’s pet policies. The best bit? They even accommodate therapy/service animals; all you need to do is tell them while booking. And although pets aren’t permitted in the pool or the common areas, we were able to take our doggies for a leashed walk all throughout the wonderful property.
The rest of the property was equally amazing. Our one-bedroom cottage came with a full kitchen where we could prepare meals. Dining areas, a living room with a sofa, and flatscreen TVs made our stay all the more comfortable. Plus, there was free Wi-Fi everywhere. We loved swimming in the pool and lounging poolside during the season, followed by a relaxing session in the sauna. And, of course, we and our doggies loved exploring the outdoor recreation areas, complete with hiking trails.
Did you know that if you camped in the campground, cats, dogs, and small pets live free of charge? Yes!
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Northlander Motel
5
Best budget. There are few budget hotels in the town that accommodate both cats and dogs, and Northlander Motel was one gem we loved staying at. Since we were traveling with our small cat, we asked for a pet-friendly room, which came with a pedestal bed. That was great, as our cat couldn’t hide underneath! Besides this thoughtful addition, we also loved the rest of the room, despite it being a budget motel. Not only did the room come with a cable TV, coffeemaker, and a fridge, but also the bathroom was immaculate and featured free toiletries.
With regards to pets, the hotel welcomed both cats and dogs, with a standard small fee of 16.95 USD as a fee per pet. What’s more, we loved that they had designated pet rooms for guests, which was convenient for both us as well as people who were allergic to animal dander. However, we were most impressed by the fact that they gave us area bags as well as access to a garbage can for cleaning up after them.
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Pine Grove Motel
4
Best hotel with space. Yet another great pet-friendly place to stay we found in Sault Ste Marie was the Pine Grove Motel. This nicely spaced-out place was perfect to stay with our dog as we could leash them and take them on a walk. The green space behind the motel was perfect to let them stretch their legs a bit, especially since they were very well-maintained. Plus, there were lovely flowers all around, making it the perfect setting during the season.
There’s a pet fee of 10 USD per pet, which was reasonable. All we did was crate our dog when we went out and left them in our designated pet-friendly motel room. We were no less impressed by the air-conditioned rooms, which came with a clean bathroom and free toiletries, a kettle, a fridge, and a cable flat-screen TV.
“Pine Grove was possibly the loveliest motel we’ve stayed at, and our doggie enjoyed it to the hilt!”
WOW Travel
The rest of the motel was impressive, too, as it had a 24-hour front desk for absolute convenience and checking in at any time. Besides free parking, we loved using the barbeque facilities, as that was a great way to mingle with the other guests.
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Delta Hotels by Marriott Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront
3
Most luxurious. We wanted to splurge on Fido, and us, during our stay in Sault Ste Marie, which is why we chose Delta Hotels by Marriott Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront. Staying in the city’s only waterfront hotel was a real treat, as it also put us in proximity to the city’s best restaurants and sights, including Downtown. We had quite a choice of modern, pet-friendly rooms, all of which came with excellent room service, water or city views, and plush beds. So, we and our pets were able to unwind, relax, and enjoy staying in style. What’s more, all rooms came with fridges, coffeemakers, cable TVs, and luxe bathrooms, befitting a Marriott property. Downstairs, the property had everything from a wonderful indoor rooftop pool to a waterfront restaurant and bar that served all meals.
With regards to the pet policy, we had to pay an additional pet fee of 40 CAD (29.5 USD) for both our pets weighing up to 23 kg (50.7 lbs). If we’d decided to stay beyond 3 nights, then there would have been ad additional fee of 15 CAD (11 USD) per night after that, notwithstanding the number of days. The best bit is that the hotel allows both cats and dogs and even allows well-behaved pets to be left in the rooms unattended (after notifying the front desk, of course). We were downright impressed by the service provided to our doggies, complete with bowls, treats, and a “Pet In Room” door hanger. We were also able to take them to the designated pet relief grassy area when we went for a walk on the property.
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Comfort Inn
2
We were a group of four people with our dog vacationing in Sault Ste Marie, wondering where we’d stay. Comfort Inn provided the perfect solution to us, along with oodles of warmth and hospitality. Not only did we have a comfortable and delightful stay, but so did our pup at this dog-friendly hotel.
For one, the hotel has designated rooms for pets and their humans. What’s more, it welcomes 2 dogs (sorry, no cats!) weighing up to 50 lbs (23 kg) in every designated pet-friendly room for an additional fee of 25 CAD (18.5 USD) per pet per night. What’s more, our room had two double beds, along with lots of space for our pup to move around. They even had patio doors, so our little dog was able to go out through them and sit with us. What more could we want?
There were a lot of other things we loved about this newly renovated hotel, such as the complimentary hot breakfast we enjoyed every morning. Besides free Wi-Fi, they also offered free parking, making it the ultimate value-for-money experience.
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Super 8 by Wyndham Sault Ste Marie ON
1
Best overall. Sitting at the top of this list is the Super 8 by Wyndham Sault Ste Marie, ON. This is one of the few hotels in Sault Ste Marie that accepts both dogs and cats. So, cat owners, you needn’t worry about finding a wonderful, budget-friendly hotel to stay with your pets.
What’s more, the hotel welcomes two pets of any size for an additional per pet, per night fee of 20 CAD (14.74 USD) plus taxes. When we traveled here with our doggie, we had the choice of four pet-friendly ground-floor rooms, which are the only pet-friendly rooms at this Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, hotel. Hence, our dog was able to easily get in and get out of the room without any hassles. While they couldn’t be left in the rooms, and there was no grassy relief area on the property, there are many parks nearby. The rooms themselves were very impressive, with coffee machines, fridges, and complimentary toiletries.
The rest of the hotel was equally impressive. For one, there was free Wi-Fi access throughout the property. There was also free parking, a vending machine with drinks and snacks, a business center, and a 24-hour front desk.
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Our Verdict!
Despite being a small city, Sault Ste Marie does have some great pet-friendly stays. We’ve curated a specialized list below to help you choose.
- Best budget: Northlander Motel
- Best hotel with space: Pine Grove Motel
- Most luxurious: Delta Hotels By Marriott Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront
- Best overall: Super 8 By Wyndham Sault Ste Marie ON
Where to Stay in Sault Ste Marie, Canada, With Your Pet?
Sault Ste Marie, on the banks of Lake Superior, is one of the best adventure towns in Ontario, and it’s easy to see why. And with its endless possibilities of outdoor activities, it makes for a great place to vacation with pets. One of the best neighborhoods to stay in the town is Downtown, which is home to some of the best restaurants and sights in the town. What’s more, you can access both the St. Mary’s River as well as the waterfront Bay Street, where you can take your pets for a walk. There’s also northern Cedar Heights, which is home to the dog-friendly Strathclair leash-free dog park. It’s a great way for your doggo to stretch their legs. All in all, Sault Ste Marie might not be on this list of the most visited cities in Canada, but it might as well be!
Pet-Friendly Restaurants / Bars In Sault Ste Marie, Canada
- Northern Superior Brewing Co.: This dog-friendly restaurant has a patio with tables where you can bring your dog. Enjoy charcuterie boards, pretzels, and the seven brews on tap as your doggie enjoys chewing on their bone and enjoying the sights.
- Frank’s Place: This family-owned and operated restaurant has a few pet-friendly tables and serves delicious food. Think burgers, a huge breakfast buffet of jam, hash browns, sausage, bacon, and eggs, and delicious meat-based dinner dishes.
- Biggby Coffee: This dog-friendly cafe brands itself as a fun coffee cafe, and it is! Grab a cup of joe at one of the two outdoor tables as your canine companion enjoys the sights. What’s more, the cafe even served pup cups to our furry friends!
Pet-Friendly Activities In Sault Ste Marie, Canada
- Strathclair Leash-free Sault Ste Marie Dog Park: Our pup ran leash-free at this amazing park which has plenty of room for dogs and their humans. Dogs weighing less than 25 lbs (11 kg) can run on one side among the benches and trees, while larger dogs get the rest of the area.
- KOA Holiday Dog-friendly Campground: All Campgrounds of America (KOA) are independently owned, and the Sault Ste Marie owners, Bill and Joan Richard, are huge canine fans! So, they’ve gone ahead and added an agility field plus K9 Camp for dogs of all sizes. There’s not only a little dog leash-free park with small play obstacles, but there’s also an even bigger one for big dogs. Despite being only for trained dogs, the agility course rents every day to locals who’re practicing their pups for competitions!
Best Pet Stores In Sault Ste Marie, Ontario
- Foremost Pet Store: This pet nutrition store is dedicated to your pet’s health and provides not only high-quality pet food but also nutritional education.