High Tail Hotel

High Tail Hotel is a cage-free dog boarding and daycare facility at 2275 Revere Ave. in San Francisco. Dogs stay in open group settings rather than rows of kennels, and staff sort them into play groups by energy level and play style. The space is built around natural light, fresh air, and an outdoor green grass play area.

What makes it different

The cage-free model is the whole point here. Guests spend the day with dogs they actually match up with, whether they are in for daycare or staying the night. Owners bring their dog's own food, and the staff stores it for frequent visitors, so dogs on special diets or set feeding routines eat what they eat at home. Many of the people working there have been on the team since 2008, which is unusual in this line of work.

Services

• Overnight boarding, with a discounted rate for siblings
• Daycare with play groups matched by energy and play style
• Baths, priced by dog size
• Nail trims
• Outdoor grass play area with natural light and fresh air

Rates and booking

Published rates run from $35 to $95 per night. Booking is by phone at 415-913-7101, so a call is the way to check availability and ask about a specific dog. Details on daycare and boarding are on the facility's website, and it keeps active Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages if an owner wants a look at the place before calling.

Who it suits

A dog who does well in a group is the best fit, since the whole setup runs on socializing rather than separate runs. Owners who want grooming folded into a stay can add a bath or a nail trim while their dog is there.