Sailor's Rest, Newquay

Sailor's Rest is a tall, characterful townhouse in the middle of Newquay, and it is set up for dogs in a way that few town-centre rentals are. The owner has clearly thought about it: there is a dog basket by the entrance with a safety gate, plus dog bowls, a dog bed and an outdoor shower for rinsing sand off before anyone goes inside.

One well-behaved dog is welcome. The house itself is big and quirky in a good way, spread over several floors with a roof terrace and sea views from the balcony, and the owner comes up repeatedly as easy to reach and quick to help. Being central means the beaches, shops and dog-friendly pubs are all more or less on the doorstep, which suits owners who would rather walk than drive; a couple of pubs sit close enough to be a genuine evening option with a dog in tow.

The layout is the thing to think hardest about. There is a fair amount of internal staircase, and the external steps up to the front door are steep and can get slippery in the wet, which can be a real struggle for an older or short-legged dog. If your dog does not do steps well, this is the wrong house however good the rest of it is. Parking is the other planning point: it is limited on the street, though there are two 24-hour car parks nearby and it is rarely a problem outside peak weeks.

The furnishings are starting to show their age in places, with the mattress and sofa both noted as worn. It has not stopped people coming back, and repeat stays are common here, but it is worth knowing before booking.

Sailor's Rest suits dog owners who want a roomy, genuinely dog-savvy base in the heart of Newquay with the sea close by, and whose dog is comfortable with steps. It earns a 4.7/5 paw rating. Pet charges are not published up front, so check the current amount with the owner when you book.