The Florian

The Florian is a small four-star guesthouse on Abbotsbury Road, a short way west of Weymouth town centre, and it is comfortable having dogs in the building. Pets are taken by arrangement rather than booked online, so mention the dog when you enquire and the room is held on that basis. Guests travelling with dogs describe the practical side as easy: the dog stays in the room, there is off-street parking at the property, and the arrangements and door-code entry are explained clearly in advance.

The host draws consistently warm comments for being friendly and helpful, with quiet rooms and a large, comfortable bed mentioned more than once. Communication before arrival is a strength. That said, this is a self-contained welcome rather than a hands-on hotel service, and guests who have wanted to ask for something extra have sometimes found it easier not to.

Housekeeping is the honest weak spot, and it comes up too often to leave out. Dog owners have reported a musty, slightly damp smell on entering the room, dust in the corners, tired bedding and a bathroom that was not properly clean. Rooms can run warm at night and the lighting is dim. None of that has anything to do with the dogs, but it is the reason the paw rating sits mid-range rather than high.

For walks, the location works once you know it. Guests have found that the nearest decent spot for a first-thing outing is not obvious from the front door, though it stops being a problem after the first morning. Weymouth's beach and harbour are both within walking distance.

Best suited to dog owners who want somewhere affordable and relaxed about pets, with parking on site and no fuss at check-in, and who will forgive dated rooms and patchy cleaning to get it.