The Page House Inn
323 Fairfax Avenue
Norfolk, Virginia
Telephone: (757) 625-5033
Website: PageHouseInn.com
- PET POLICY: No deposit required, nor is there a size limit; guests should call in advance to confirm, however. The innkeepers report that they’ve had large dogs – up to 85 pounds – “but no Great Danes yet”!
At first glance, the gorgeously renovated Page House Inn in Norfolk’s historic Ghent district doesn’t seem like the sort of establishment open to guests of the four-pawed variety. From the richly furnished formal dining room worthy of a magazine cover shot to the twin parlors filled with antique furniture, the place exudes elegance. A closer look reveals that the beautiful surroundings are not just for admiring from a distance. They are meant to be enjoyed as one would at a friend’s home. One parlor contains a large basket of well-used board games, clearly enjoyed by numerous guests on lazy winter evenings past. A plate of fresh-baked cookies waits for visitors wandering in after a day spent exploring the city. Loaner bikes are available for inn guests, the billiard room recently opened, and when Carl Albero serves up breakfast in the dining room, the fare is home-cooked and hearty. You might even see canine innkeeper Stormi Weathers, the 15-year-old Yorkshire terrier pictured nearby (or her short-legged pal Jake), trotting in to see if any leftovers are up for grabs. The Page House Inn isn’t just the Albero family’s business, it is an extension of their home.
Now I must pause here and confess to you, faithful readers, that I have not personally stayed at the Page House Inn. That’s correct, poor old Chaucer was left behind at a kennel while his People enjoyed a jaunt down South last month. My People could not recommend this B&B any more highly, however. They stayed there over the Fourth of July holiday and were invited to join the innkeepers and their family and friends for their annual Independence Day barbeque. And by barbeque, I mean real Southern barbeque! (You can bet I won’t be left behind the next time my People head down to Virginia….)
I was told, however, that the oak-lined streets of the Ghent district and the nearby port area are ideal for exploring on foot, making a visit to this important historic city perfect for family trips with the dog. “The Boy” particularly enjoyed his tour of the battleship USS Wisconsin and the Nauticus Maritime Center. Had I been there (which I was not – did I mention that?), I would have had to stay at doggy daycare for those portions of the trip, of course. Although my People dined closer to the waterfront most evenings, Stormi reports that numerous restaurants in the Ghent district offer outdoor seating, and most of those accommodate dogs.
If you live in this area – or have visited it with your pooch – I’d like to hear about your favorite dog-friendly restaurants and activities! Click here to send me a note.
- NEAREST DOGGY DAYCARE/DOG CAMP: Stormi recommends Wags Doggie Daycare, WagsDoggieDaycare.com, (757) 965-9052
- NEAREST 24-HOUR EMERGENCY VET: Stormi’s people recommend Tidewater Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, (757) 499-5463
