Beside The Sea - Ar Lan y Mor

Beside The Sea - Ar Lan y Mor is a ground-floor apartment on West Shore, the quieter side of Llandudno, a couple of minutes from a beach where dogs are allowed. That position is the reason most dog owners book it: the sand is close enough to walk to before breakfast, and the town centre is a flat fifteen-minute stroll in the other direction.

One well behaved dog can stay. The owners leave out bowls, treats and a spare lead, and a cool mat has been provided in warm weather. The rest of the welcome is generous too, with homemade cake, milk and the kitchen basics waiting, and guests with dietary requirements report being catered for without fuss. Hard floors through the living areas and bedrooms make it straightforward to keep clean after a sandy walk.

The owners live locally and are quick to respond, calling round to introduce themselves or fix a problem the same day, which comes up in almost every account. Llandudno itself rewards a dog-friendly stay: the Great Orme, Conwy, Rhos-on-Sea and Colwyn Bay are all close, and there are plenty of cafes and pubs in town that take dogs.

There are real caveats, and they are worth reading before booking. A door in the kitchen connects through to the rest of the house, so dogs that react to people coming and going may bark when the other part of the property is in use. The outdoor space is a small walled yard rather than the enclosed lawn some guests expect, it is not directly attached to the flat, and the gate bolt sits high enough to be awkward. Sound carries from the apartment above. The drive down the side of the house is narrow, with a wall that projects into it, so larger cars are better left on the road. Reports on cleanliness are mostly excellent but not unanimous.

For one dog and owners who want a beach on the doorstep and are content to keep the dog on a lead outside, this is a well-placed and well-stocked flat, and a 4.5/5 paw rating reflects both the strengths and the reservations guests have raised.