• by Danielle Oster , November 3, 2024

If you’re suffering from election anxiety, you’re not alone. The situation will inevitably only be worse on Nov. 5 as the country waits for election results to come in.

Marriot’s pet-friendly hotel chain Aloft Hotels is offering a fur-filled antidote. Aloft Hotels is hosting “No Watch Pawties” events across five of its locations on election night, including in a pair of potential swing states for the presidential election: Georgia and Wisconsin.

The brand, which offers its guest a series of dog-friendly amenities through its ArfSM (Animals R Fun) program, is partnering with local shelters for the program.

“No Watch Pawties” invite dog lovers suffering from election anxiety to spend time with lovable puppies and dogs from the brand’s local shelter partners. Events are free, don’t require registration, and are available to both hotel guest and locals.

In addition to unlimited pets, the events offer a “dog-led meditation” video designed to alleviate anxiety with “feel-good affirmations”  as well as complimentary specialty cocktails, mocktails, and small bites from Aloft's signature W xyz bar. The event does have one cardinal rule: viewing of Election Day coverage will be banned to offer a reprieve from constant updates.

For those who can’t attend in person, the brand is also offering a bite-sized version of the “dog-led meditation” program via a one-minute video encouraging viewers to “paws, stretch and stay positive.”

"Everyone needs a chance to de-stress at the moment and we decided to share some of the comfort dogs bring both virtually and in-person this election season," Aloft Hotels global brand leader Brian Jaymont said in a statement, "We hope this calming video and our No Watch Puppy Parties give people a chance to relax and reset, even if it's only a couple of hours."

The in-person “No Watch Pawties” will be offered from 5-9 p.m. on November 5 at its Orlando, FL location; and 5-7 p.m. in Austin, Atlanta, Milwaukee, and New York’s Chelsea locations.

The brand promoted the upcoming events with a video announcement earlier this month on social channels including Instagram. Naturally, a pup takes center stage, addressing viewers directly and offering to be “your furry guide” through a little meditation exercise.