Pet-Friendly Hotel in Downtown West Palm Beach
Where Dogs Are More Than Welcome — They’re Part of the Story
The Ben is not just a hotel that allows dogs. It is a hotel that was built with them in mind. The property is named after the Ben Trovato Estate, the 1892 home of Byrd Spilman Dewey, whose most famous book, Bruno, told the story of her beloved Great Dane and their life together in early West Palm Beach. That spirit runs through every corner of the hotel, from the golden Bruno dog sculptures stationed on each floor to the in-room copy of the original Bruno book to the hotel’s complimentary Circuit car, affectionately named the Bruno Mobile. When you check in with your dog at The Ben, you are not an inconvenience. You are continuing a tradition that goes back over a century.
Pet Policy at a Glance
The Ben welcomes dogs of all breeds up to 50 pounds, with a maximum of two pets per guest room. A non-refundable pet fee applies per stay. Upon arrival, your dog receives a welcome bag with treats and travel essentials, and the staff throughout the hotel is known for greeting four-legged guests by name. Cats are not permitted at this time.
The Stay With Chewy Experience
The Ben has partnered with Chewy to offer the Stay With Chewy package, which takes the pet-friendly experience to another level. The package includes a backpack from Chewy’s Frisco travel collection filled with portable bowls, a travel bed, a tropical bandana, a plush toy, tennis balls, a portable water bottle, treats, sunblock wipes, and a cozy dog-sized robe. It is one of the most thoughtful pet hotel packages in South Florida.
The Bruno Puppy Menu
Room service at The Ben includes the Bruno Puppy Menu, a dedicated in-room dining option for dogs. Choices include an omelet, salmon, a hamburger patty, grilled chicken, and house-made dog treats. Your dog eats just as well as you do.
Pet-Friendly Dining at Proper Grit
Proper Grit, The Ben’s ground-floor restaurant, features a pet-friendly outdoor patio where you can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner with your dog by your side. The patio sits adjacent to Jose Marti Park and Flagler Banyan Square, making it easy to combine a meal with a waterfront walk. No need to go back to the room to drop off your dog before meeting friends for a meal.
Walking and Green Space
The Ben’s downtown waterfront location provides plenty of space for walks and outdoor time with your pet. A large grassy area sits directly in front of the hotel for quick breaks, and the Palm Harbor Marina waterfront path is steps away. Jose Marti Park and Flagler Banyan Square are both within a short walk. For a longer outing, dog-friendly Ocean Cay Park in Jupiter and Atlantic Dunes Park in Delray Beach are both an easy drive.
Why Dog Owners Choose The Ben
Most pet-friendly hotels simply tolerate dogs. The Ben celebrates them. The hotel’s connection to Bruno and Byrd Spilman Dewey means that dogs are woven into the identity of the property, not treated as an afterthought. Combined with the waterfront location, dedicated puppy menu, Chewy partnership, and a staff that genuinely loves greeting every dog that walks through the door, The Ben is consistently rated as one of the best pet-friendly hotels in the Palm Beach area.
FAQs
Q1: Is The Ben pet-friendly?
Yes, The Ben is 100% pet-friendly. Dogs are welcome throughout the hotel, and you will notice the gold Bruno dog sculptures placed around the property as a nod to Byrd Spilman Dewey’s famous book about her life with her dog Bruno in early West Palm Beach. A non-refundable pet fee applies per stay, with a maximum of two pets per room and a 50-pound weight limit per pet.
Q2: What does my dog get when we check in at The Ben?
Dogs receive a welcome arrival bag at check-in with treats and travel essentials. If you book the Stay With Chewy package, the welcome kit is significantly upgraded with a Chewy backpack, portable bowls, a travel bed, bandana, toys, treats, and a dog-sized robe. The staff throughout the hotel is also known for greeting every dog with treats and attention from the moment you pull up to valet.
Q3: Does The Ben have a dog menu for room service?
Yes. The Bruno Puppy Menu is available through in-room dining and includes options like an omelet, salmon, a hamburger patty, grilled chicken, and house-made dog treats. It is named after Bruno, the Great Dane who inspired the hotel’s story.
Q4: Can I bring my dog to the restaurant at The Ben?
Yes. Proper Grit, The Ben’s ground-floor restaurant, has a pet-friendly outdoor patio where dogs are welcome at breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The patio is adjacent to waterfront parks, making it easy to combine dining with a walk.
Q5: Are there places to walk my dog near The Ben?
Yes, plenty. There is a large grassy area directly in front of the hotel, and the Palm Harbor Marina waterfront path is steps away. Jose Marti Park and Flagler Banyan Square are both within a short walk. The hotel’s downtown location means you can explore Clematis Street and the waterfront without needing a car.
Q6: Does The Ben allow cats?
No, The Ben currently welcomes dogs only. Cats are not permitted at this time.
Q7: What is the pet fee at The Ben?
There is a non-refundable pet fee per stay. The maximum weight limit is 50 pounds per dog, and up to two dogs are allowed per guest room. Extended stay guests of 14 nights or longer may have the pet fee waived. Contact the hotel directly for current pricing.