The Esplanade Hotel by Compass Hospitality

The Esplanade Hotel's strongest card for dog owners is where it stands: directly on Paignton's seafront, with the beach and the promenade across the road, so the first walk of the day is a few steps from the front door rather than a drive. Well-behaved dogs of any size are accepted, which matters if you travel with a larger breed and keep running into weight limits.

Guests with dogs describe rooms with enough floor space for two people and a dog, comfortable beds and the straightforward fittings you would expect of a three-star seafront hotel. It is a base rather than a destination, and priced accordingly. The hotel has run promotions where the dog stays free, so it is worth asking what is current when you book; a pet charge may otherwise apply.

Paignton does the rest. The promenade runs a long way in both directions, the harbour and town centre are a short walk, and there are enough dog-friendly cafes nearby to be useful - which guests have found handy, given that the hotel's own paid breakfast draws mixed opinions.

Set against all that, standards are not consistent. Housekeeping is the recurring complaint, with some guests arriving to rooms that had clearly not been properly cleaned, and there are reports of low water pressure, warm rooms with windows that barely open, and an overnight false fire alarm. The 4.4/5 paw rating reflects the dog welcome and the position rather than the finish. It suits owners who want the sea outside the door and a calm dog that copes with a busy resort front, and rather less anyone who needs a reliably immaculate room.