The Essex Inn offers its guests elegant and spacious accommodations and fine southern hospitality in a lovely setting nestled in the heart of Tappahannock’s downtown historic district
We are animal lovers and welcome your pets – both cats and dogs - with advanced notice. And while we have a special affinity for all pets, our first priority is to ensure the comfort and safety of all of our guests. Therefore, if you would like to bring your pet, we need confirmation that you have read and agree to our pet policy.


There is an additional $30 per day
fee for each pet.
  • Pets are welcome to stay in 3 of our suites only: The Downstairs Suite, The Laundry Suite and The Kitchen Suite. They are not permitted in the main house. (We have pet cats that have access to the outdoors and limited access in the main house.) No more than two pets may stay in one suite at a time.
  • We prefer small dogs (under 25 lbs.) and cats only. Larger dogs are accepted by our approval only – we do reserve the right to turn away certain breeds.
  • All pets must be house trained or litter box trained.
  • Pets must be on leashes or kenneled when outside; you are, of course, responsible for doggie “doo-doody”. Cats must bring their own litter box.
  • We ask that your pet be current with his or her vaccinations and must also be on some sort of flea & tick control.
  • We would prefer that your pet be kept kenneled when you are away from the room. If a pet persists in barking, yelping, or showing other auditory sounds while you are away from the room we will contact you to return as soon as possible and will personally “sit” with the pet until you do. (We do charge a hourly rate of $10 to pet sit.)
  • It is preferable that your pets not sit or lie on the furniture, but if he/she is more at home doing so, we would ask that a sheet or cover be used. Any excessive cleaning due to large amounts of shedding will incur additional charges of $10 per hour.
  • Any damage caused by a pet will be added to your bill.