Belvedere Lodge, Swanage

Belvedere Lodge sits right in the middle of Swanage, a Dorset seaside town wrapped by the Isle of Purbeck coast path and a sandy town beach. It is a self-catering apartment rather than a hotel, so there are no shared corridors or lobbies to navigate with a dog, and you have the run of the place for the length of your stay.

The apartment is set up as a proper home-from-home, and the owners have a track record of thoughtful touches for arriving guests. A visiting dog owner was met with a welcome pack that included something for the dog as well as milk in the fridge, which is a good early sign that four-legged visitors are genuinely expected rather than just tolerated. Because the whole apartment is yours, separate bedrooms and easy-clean surfaces make it simple to settle a dog in and tidy up after muddy coast-path walks.

Location is the standout. You are within a short stroll of the beach, the town's shops and cafes, and some of the best walking on the Purbeck coast, so a dog does not have to travel far to stretch its legs. Off-street parking makes arriving and unloading straightforward.

A few things worth knowing before you book:

• Our pet rating here rests on a single verified dog-owner stay, so treat it as an encouraging early signal rather than a large sample.
• The booking listing does not spell out a formal pet policy, fee or size limit, so confirm the details directly with the owners before you book, especially if you are travelling with more than one dog.
• Guests have noted building work at a neighbouring property affecting the back outdoor space at times, which is worth checking if outdoor room for a dog matters to you.

Belvedere Lodge suits couples and small groups who want a smart, central self-catering base in Swanage and value having their own private space to bring a dog along.