Southeastern Roundup: Pet-welcoming destinations

By Blake Guthrie

For the AJC

By Blake Guthrie 

Many families consider their pets to be full-fledged members of the clan, until vacation time, that is, when they usually get left behind with caregivers while the rest of the crew is off having fun. For those who want to include their beloved non-human family member in on the action, here are some places in the Southeast that are pet-welcoming.

Spotlight on: Barnsley Gardens Resort

Calling Barnsley Gardens pet-friendly doesn't do it justice; this is a place that will actually do a turn-down service for your furry companion. Accommodations are garden cottages and suites that dot the bucolic grounds in the rolling hills of northwest Georgia near Adairsville. The staff seem trained to cater to your pet's needs, along with yours. After check-in on a recent stay, an employee whizzing by in a golf cart came to a stop when he spotted a basset hound entering one of the villas with its owners. Though the man was obviously on his way to tend to other duties, he wanted to make sure the canine had bedding and bowls and asked if any doggy treats or toys were needed. Such attention to detail doesn't go unnoticed, even by those who can only wag their tail in appreciation.

To underscore its pet-friendliness, the resort has partnered with PAWS Atlanta -- a no-kill rescue shelter and adoption organization -- for seasonal packages. For the partnership's latest "Dog Days of Summer" package, each night you stay during the month of July and August, Barnsley Gardens will waive their standard pet fee and donate $75 to PAWS Atlanta.

You'll find ample opportunity for exercise and outdoor fun with your critter on Barnsley's acres of meadows, miles of trails and even among the ivy-draped, pre-Civil War ruins of Barnsley Manor. The outdoor Beer Garden occasionally hosts a "yappy hour" and, weather permitting, you can dine together on the patio garden of the historic Rice House or on the porch of the Woodlands Grill.

Barnsley Gardens Resort: 877-773-2447, www.barnsleyresort.com.

Other destinations

High Hampton Inn & Country Club, Cashiers, N.C.

Escape the heat of summer by taking your pooch to this 1,400-acre, 3,600-foot high resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The grounds include a large spring-fed private lake, trails and fields open to pets, who are greeted with treats upon arrival. Listed on National Register of Historic Places, you and your loyal companion will likely make new friends, as people have been bringing their pets here for generations. Guests at High Hampton can enjoy a mountain escape that is a throwback to the old days where the high art of conversation is revered with such longstanding traditions as an afternoon tea social hour. The lack of telephones and televisions in the cottages are a plus for those looking to get away from the modern world and reconnect with nature and loved ones. The pet fee is $50 per cottage and an on-site kennel is available for guests to board their pets during the daytime hours when they are doing non-pet-related activities.

High Hampton Inn: 828-743-2411, www.highhamptoninn.com.

Cape San Blas, Fla.

At Cape San Blas, a secluded arm of land that reaches out from the Florida Panhandle between Panama City and Apalachicola, dogs are allowed on the beach at any time. The narrow cape is about 20 miles long and doesn't even have a traffic light. The first 10 miles contain cottages and townhouses among the dunes and little else in the way of development. Gulf County has installed 20 pet stations at the public beach access points with plastic baggies and receptacles to dispose of pet waste. Barrier Dunes is a neighborhood at the cape's halfway point with plenty of dog-friendly townhouses and grassy areas for them to romp around in when you're not playing on the beach. Contact Wendy at The Cape Escape (770-569-9215, www.thecapeescape.com) for vacation rentals at Barrier Dunes. The Old Saltworks (850-229-6097, www.oldsaltworks.com) at the beginning of the cape has pet-friendly cabins nestled in the trees by the bay with access to nature trails, sea kayaks and a pier. The last 10 miles of the cape is part of St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (pet regulations differ inside the park; inquire at the gate).