7 The Retreat, Paignton

7 The Retreat is a three-bedroom house on Marine Drive in Paignton, a few minutes from the seafront and let as a whole property. Every bedroom has its own en-suite, which is a rare layout and matters more than it sounds when a family or a group is sharing for a week.

Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, and the owners have fitted a stairgate so dogs can be kept downstairs. That is a small, practical touch, and it is the sort of thing that separates a property that has thought about dogs from one that merely tolerates them. No pet fee, weight limit or breed restriction is published, so confirm those with the owner when you book.

The one thing to plan around is the back garden, which is not fully secure. Guest feedback flags it as an escape route for a small dog inclined to bolt, so treat it as supervised space rather than somewhere to let a dog out unattended. The seafront and the coast path do the real exercise anyway.

Marine Drive puts you close to Paignton's beach, which has seasonal dog restrictions worth checking for the months you are travelling, and to the South West Coast Path. Preston, Goodrington and the wider Torbay coast are all short drives for more varied walks, and there are dog-friendly pubs and cafes within reach on foot.

The house gets good marks for comfort and upkeep, and the owner's check-in booklet is worth reading properly on arrival. The front door lock has a knack to it, and the booklet explains it rather than leaving you to work it out on the doorstep.

Best suited to families or small groups bringing up to two dogs who want a well-run seafront house near Paignton, and who will keep garden time supervised.