PURR-FECT PLACES TO STAY:
Bed & Breakfasts, Country Inns, and Hotels with Resident Cats

PURR-FECT PLACES TO STAY: Bed & Breakfasts, Country Inns, and Hotels with Resident Cats is believed to be the first and only directory to focus exclusively on quaint bed & breakfasts, intimate country inns, and luxury hotels in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom with resident cats.

Published in 1999, this book is divided into geographic regions of the United States (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Northwest, and West), Canada, and the United Kingdom. Within each section are those bed & breakfasts, country inns, and hotels located in the states in those regions. At least two pages is devoted to each property, including a colorful and touching vignette about each resident cat; detailed description of the b & b, inn, or hotel pointing out what makes it unique, as well as nearby attractions, activities, and recreational activities; and a separate section containing contact information (address, telephone number, FAX number, e-mail address, web site), room descriptions, rates, and amenities.

Hall said the impetus for the book came from her own travel experiences.

"I met my first 'resident cat' while vacationing at a resort in Florida," Hall recalled. "Petting her, if only for a few minutes, really helped fill the void of leaving my cat at home while I was away."

"Having observed firsthand the interaction between guests and resident cats, I knew there were other leisure and business travelers who would prefer to stay at a property where they can pet, talk to, and occasionally cuddle someone else's feline in order to help reduce the withdrawal pangs and fill the void of leaving their own cat companion when traveling," Hall added.

With 70 million cats as pets in the United States, this directory is expected to be a helpful and sought-after resource for traveling cat lovers. Spending time at a property with a resident cat also is a refreshing change of pace for cat fanciers everywhere who, for whatever reason, can't have or don't want their own pet, but would love to spend some quality time with a cat when they're away from home. It also makes the "purr-fect" gift.

Resident cats are a win-win-win for the lodging properties, their guests, and of course, the cats. Bed & breakfasts, country inns, and hotels with resident cats seem cozier and more home-like, which can be a welcome change for travelers who spend several nights away from home and their loved ones.

And these cats, many of which were former strays or shelter cats, receive the attention and affection of property owners and employees, not to mention the often unsolicited, but not unwanted, belly, chin and head rubs from guests.

If you can't be with the cat you love, stay at a "purr-fect place" and love the cat you're with!

REVIEW EXCERPTS:

CATsumer Report, November/December 1998, by Judi Becker: "...PURR-FECT Places to Stay is filled with lots of wonderful color photos of the lodgings and the cats that live there. I also like the slick, glossy pages, and the general happy tone of the book...This book is a treasure!"

CATS, July 1999, Media Cats by Sally Rosenthal: "I know your type. (After all, I am your type.) Although you love to travel, you go through severe cat-withdrawal while away from home. Well, rest easy, and in the company of a cat. Susan Bard Hall, in Purr-fect Places To Stay, has come up with a more than purr-fect solution for those away-from-home blues...Purr-fect Places To Stay is easy to use, fun to read, and a necessary travel accessory for those of us addicted to kitties."

I LOVE CATS, May/June 1999, Pawprints by Lisa Allmendinger: "...The 172-page directory focuses exclusively on lodging in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. And the color photos will take your breath away...The layout of the book is superb. The information about each spot is extensive...This is such a cute and clever book. It belongs in the bookcase of every cat lover. FIVE-PAW RATING. (Note: Books are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 paws. Five paws is the top rating.)

CHATS CANADA CATS, Spring 1999, Feline Bookmark by Ron Brighty: "PURR-FECT PLACES TO STAY is an interesting and entertaining little book which may be the answer to a cat lover's prayer. Recently received in the mail, the book is tastefully and full colour printed on art paper, and lists Bed & Breakfasts, Country Inns and Hotels across the U.S. -- which have resident cats to lap up the visitor's affection...Perhaps best of all, the history, temperament, and beautiful coloured pictures of all the cat residents make up 40% to 50% of the book's contents."

Among the other reviews/write-ups are: CAT TALK NEWSLETTER (April 1999); CAT FANCY (May 1999); PET TIMES (March 1999); CHICAGO TRIBUNE (Sunday Travel Section, June 6, 1999); CAT CHAT (Summer 1999); PET LIFE (June 1999); THE STAR-LEDGER (June 20, 1999); PRESERVATION MAGAZINE (July/August 1999).

TITLE: PURR-FECT PLACES TO STAY: Bed & Breakfasts, Country Inns, and Hotels with Resident Cats
ISBN: 0-9666989-0-8
AUTHOR: Susan Bard Hall
PAGES: 172, 6 x 9, 4-color throughout, perfect-bound
RETAIL PRICE: $19.95 (U.S.). Illinois residents add $1.80 (9 percent) sales tax. Shipping and handling via priority mail is an additional $5.00 (one or two books).
AVAILABILITY: Letters Etcetera (publisher).
PUBLISHER: Letters Etcetera, Chicago, IL
Telephone: 312-938-1137
E-Mail: susanandnormanhall@prodigy.net