Your dog is coming. We get it. Dogs should come on vacation too. The West End Flats are pet friendly — no breed restrictions, no weight limits, no surprise charges for having a companion. One fee: $75 flat per stay, any number of pets. That's it.
Why we're actually dog-friendly
Airbnb lists thousands of "pet-friendly" places. Then you read the fine print: $50 per pet per night, 2-pet limit, no pit bulls, no German Shepherds, extra cleaning fee, non-refundable pet deposit. By the time you calculate actual pet costs, you're paying $1,000+ more for a week than a place that's honestly pet-friendly.
We charge $75 flat. Three dogs, one fee. For a week, that's $75 total. For a month, same fee. We don't charge by the pound, we don't restrict breeds, and we don't add surprise "pet cleaning" charges at checkout.
What the flats offer dogs and their people
Courtyard access
Our building has a private courtyard — fenced, quiet, good place for dogs to move around without you standing on the sidewalk with a leash. Weather-protected area. If you're staying a week, your dog gets real outdoor time, not just sidewalk bathroom breaks.
Downtown parks nearby
The Roanoke Greenway is walking distance — a paved path system perfect for dogs. No cars, plenty of trees, good surface for paws. Mill Mountain Park is 10 minutes away with trails suitable for dogs (leash required in some areas). River Rock dog park on the south side (15-minute drive) if you want off-leash play with other dogs.
Large apartments with real living space
One-bedroom apartments with living rooms. Your dog isn't confined to a hotel room. They have actual space to move around, a living room where they can rest, and if you're staying longer, they're not going stir-crazy. Full kitchens mean you can prepare dog food if needed (ask us about bringing food from home).
In-unit laundry
Dogs are sometimes messy. In-unit washers mean you can wash their bed, blankets, or muddy towels without finding a laundromat. This matters more than people realize.
Free parking
You don't have to circle for street parking with a dog in the car. Covered or on-site parking included with your stay.
Downtown Roanoke is actually good for dogs
The neighborhood is residential and walkable — not a busy commercial strip where everything is chain restaurants and traffic. Dogs appreciate quiet streets with interesting smells. Downtown Roanoke has tree-lined blocks, lower traffic than the suburbs, and a real sense of place. People downtown are outdoor-oriented and generally dog-friendly.
Breweries welcome dogs. A Few Old Goats Brewing (downstairs) has a dog-friendly patio, and most downtown breweries allow dogs on their outdoor patios. Big Lick Brewing (2-minute walk) has a big beer garden where dogs are welcome. Coffee shops are walkable. RND Coffee has a patio where you can sit with your dog.
Day trips for you and your dog
Hiking
McAfee Knob is 30 minutes away — one of the most photographed hikes on the East Coast. It's dog-friendly (leash required). Humpback Rocks is closer (20 mins) and good for shorter hikes. Mill Mountain itself has easier trails where dogs can walk. Base yourself at downtown, hike with your dog, shower and laundry back at the flats.
Blue Ridge Parkway scenic drives
Mills Mountain Parkway access is 12 minutes away. Long dogs-friendly drives, plenty of pull-offs where you can get out and walk. Stop at overlooks, scenic areas. Bring your dog, make an afternoon of it.
River access
Several areas of the Roanoke River have dog-accessible access points. Some dogs like water. Downtown is close enough that you can plan a dog-paddle trip, come back, and rinse off at your apartment.
Downtown exploration
Walk the neighborhood with your dog. Tree-lined blocks, galleries, antique shops. Market Building has outdoor seating areas. It's a pleasant downtown for walking a dog, not a generic suburban shopping area.
Pet policies and what to know
The fee
$75 flat per reservation. Pay once, bring any number of pets. No additional charges at checkout.
Service dogs
No fee for service dogs. They're working animals, not pets.
Pets we accept
Dogs, cats, and other common companion animals. Not reptiles, not exotic animals, but standard pets are fine. If you have something unusual, call us at 1-855-919-7368 and we'll figure it out.
House training
We assume your dog is house trained (or you're managing accidents). We're not a kennel. If you have a puppy, bring cleaning supplies and be prepared to manage house training. For established dogs, this isn't an issue.
Noise
Your dog shouldn't be howling at 3 AM. If you have a dog that's prone to separation anxiety barking, please think twice about a week-long stay or make arrangements. Our neighbors aren't soundproofed from next door.
Damage
We trust you. We're not charging pet damage deposits. If something gets damaged, we'd rather you tell us than try to hide it. We're reasonable people. But if your dog destroys carpet or furniture, we will discuss repair costs. Be honest with us about your dog's behavior.
Booking with your dog
When you book at thewestendflats.com/booking, select "Yes" for the pet question and the $75 fee will be added. You don't need special permission, and you don't need to email us first — just book and let us know in the booking notes if your dog has any special needs we should know about (food allergies, medications, behavioral notes).
On arrival, bring whatever your dog needs — their food and bowls if you're worried about different brands, their bed or favorite blanket, toys. We don't supply those things, but we have space for them.
Why this matters
Traveling with a dog is how a lot of people actually get to take vacations. Your dog is part of your family, and you don't want to leave them with a sitter for a week. Good vacation rentals should make traveling with dogs easy, not complicated. We did.
No breed restrictions, no weight limits, no per-pet charges. $75 flat, your dog is welcome, and you get a real apartment where you're both comfortable. That's the deal.