Of all the places to stay in the country, one of the top 10 that's the nicest to stay at with your pet is in Tyrone, according to Internet travel site TripAdvisor.com.
Stony Point Bed and Breakfast, 1400 North Ave., was rated among the top 10 properties in the U.S. that allow pets, according to a survey by TripAdvisor of more than 1,000 animal owners.
According to the survey, 49 percent of the pet owners surveyed plan to travel in the next year with their pets. Among that group, more than half will stay in hotels with their pets, up from 51 percent from the year before, while 35 percent plan to stay in a vacation rental.
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Stony, a cat owned by Paul Zoltoli, sleeps in the kitchen of the Stony Point Bed & Breakfast in Tyrone. In the background is Susan Wong from Hong Kong, a recent guest.
Stony Point became a bed and breakfast 10 years ago, but only began accepting pets within the past year, manager Paul Zoltoli said. The fee for pets, mainly cats and dogs, is $25, and pets are allowed to roam freely throughout the premises.
"People wanted to find a place where they could bring their pets so they didn't have to leave them at home,'' said Zoltoli, who has a cat himself. "They're like a member of the family to them, and I understand that.''
Lesley Carlin, a travel expert with TripAdvisor, said it's easier now than it was before for people to take their pets on the road, because many more accommodations will accept animals as guests.
"We've realized for some time that traveling with pets is getting more and more popular,'' she said, which she said is why the Internet site did the survey.
Staying at bed-and-breakfast establishments, which may have delicate antiques, doesn't seem to worry either the pet owner or the innkeeper, said Carlin.
Most of the top 10 places were bed and breakfast establishments, with several in the Asheville, N.C. area.
"It's really amazing how well most pet owners keep their pets under control,'' she said.
The Stony Point home, which has 114 "excellent'' reviews on TripAdvisor, is 92 years old. It was the former home of a Pennsylvania Railroad executive and was later owned by the Edward Newlin family. It was passed to Dudley and Peggy McNitt, who renovated the home, Zoltoli said.
One reviewer who grew up in Tyrone recently stayed at the establishment and said he will definitely stay there again when he visits his hometown.
"While growing up, I never knew what a historic landmark the town has here on the hill,'' said the reviewer, who only listed his name as Craig T. and now lives in Denver, Pa.
Room rates range from $75 to $225, depending on the day of the week. The pet fee is in addition to the room rate. To make reservations, call 684-1400.
