5 Fairhaven, Salcombe

5 Fairhaven is a self-catering apartment in Salcombe that lands well for owners who plan their trips around where the dog can go. It is a short, five-minute downhill walk to North Sands, one of the town's dog-friendly beaches, with off-road parking for two cars right at the property - a practical detail that matters when you are arriving with a dog and all the kit that comes with one.

One pet is allowed. No charge is published, so agree any supplement with the owner when you book rather than on arrival. The whole apartment is yours for the stay, so the dog is with you throughout rather than shut away, and there is a balcony that guests single out again and again.

The catch is the approach. The apartment is reached by 37 steps from the front door, and Salcombe is built on a hill besides - the walk into town is a reasonable mile but a properly hilly one, and South Sands is another ten to fifteen minutes on. For a fit dog that is part of the appeal. For an elderly dog, a small dog with short legs, or one that ends up being carried, those 37 steps are a twice-a-day commitment worth thinking about before you book.

Beyond that the walking is the draw: North Sands on the doorstep, Overbecks Gardens and the coast path above it within reach on foot, and flatter waterside options when you want them. Guests rate the space and the views highly. The honest counterweight is that the decor is described as tired and dated in places, and there is a lot of the owners' own belongings about the place - worth knowing if you travel with a boisterous dog and would rather not spend the week minding ornaments.

5 Fairhaven is best suited to couples or small families with one active dog who will make the most of the beach and coast-path walking on the doorstep. The steps and the hilly approach mean it is less of a fit for dogs, or owners, who need flat and easy access.