Gilly's Cottage, Hope Cove

Gilly's Cottage is a 3.5-star whole-cottage rental at Thornlea Mews in Hope Cove on the South Hams coast - one of the more genuinely dog-walker-friendly Hope Cove bases given the proximity to the cove itself. Hope Cove is a small fishing village with wide-open seafront walks, the South West Coast Path running directly through, and a spread of dog-friendly cafes and pubs in the village.

Agoda hasn't published a per-night pet fee, weight cap, or breed restrictions for this property, so confirm those directly with the host when booking. Multiple recent guests have brought dogs (including small breeds - one specifically a chihuahua) without acceptance issues, and the cottage's compact format works particularly well for one or two-person stays with a smaller dog.

Inside, the cottage is described by recent guests as clean and well-equipped for couples or small families. One recent guest specifically noted that previous complaints from earlier reviewers had been addressed - which is a useful signal that the host pays attention to feedback and acts on it (not always the case with small short-lets).

Practical caveats from recent guests worth knowing:

• Hot water tank is small: one recent guest reported having to 'scrimp' on hot water to fit in two showers a day. For a multi-person party planning back-to-back showers in the morning, this could be a real issue. For a couple, less of a problem.
• Cleaning is mostly good but not perfect: one recent guest flagged a less-than-spotless bathroom floor and crumbs in the toaster. Both are minor but worth knowing.
• Self-managed arrival: guests don't see staff during the stay - everything operates on pre-arrival instructions. If you prefer a face-to-face check-in, this isn't the property.

Location-wise, Hope Cove sits south of Salcombe on the South Hams coast and is a genuinely quiet village (small fishing-village scale). The cove itself is a couple of minutes' walk for early-morning dog beach time, the South West Coast Path opens up longer structured walks toward Bolt Tail and Salcombe, and the inland lanes give quieter alternatives for everyday walking. Salcombe is a short drive away for shopping and restaurants.

The 8.4/10 Agoda aggregate across 16 reviews reflects strong consistent execution with the practical operational caveats above. The property is well-thought-out for single-couple stays with one or two dogs.

Best suited to couples (or single parents plus child) travelling with one or two smaller dogs who want a properly Hope Cove village base with the cove on the doorstep, who'll accept the hot water constraint for multi-shower days, and who'll happily manage their own arrival via pre-arrival instructions.