Fowey Hall Hotel

Fowey Hall is a grand country-house hotel set in its own grounds above the Fowey estuary in south Cornwall, and it offers about as wholehearted a welcome for dogs as you will find at this end of the market. Guests travelling with a dog repeatedly say the hotel does not merely tolerate pets but actively builds them into the stay, with dogs welcome throughout the building and grounds rather than confined to a couple of rooms.

That open-door approach is the defining feature here. Dog owners describe being able to relax precisely because their dog could come with them almost everywhere, including the dining areas, which takes the usual juggling out of mealtimes. The setting earns just as much praise: spacious rooms, beautifully kept grounds with estuary views, a spa and an outdoor pool that guests have enjoyed even in the cooler months. Staff come up again and again as a highlight, friendly and genuinely accommodating to two-legged and four-legged guests alike.

The one thing to go in with eyes open about is exactly that dogs-everywhere policy. Because dogs are welcome in the restaurant and public rooms, there will usually be other dogs around at dinner, and a handful of guests who were not travelling with a dog found that less relaxing. For dog owners it is the opposite of a problem, but it does mean Fowey Hall is best suited to people who actively want a dog-friendly atmosphere rather than a quiet, dog-free dining room.

On balance, this is a strong choice for owners who want a smart, full-service hotel with proper grounds and facilities where the dog is genuinely part of the trip. Budget for the per-night pet charge below and you have one of the more dog-committed country-house hotels in Cornwall.