The Imperial Torquay

The Imperial Torquay is a grand four-star hotel on a headland above the sea on the English Riviera, and one of very few Torquay hotels of its size and style to take dogs at all. For owners who want a full-service hotel with a pool, a restaurant and sweeping bay views rather than a self-catering cottage, that alone makes it worth a look, and the setting is what guests praise most consistently.

Dogs stay on the hotel's terms rather than throughout the building, and the detail matters. They are accommodated only in certain sea-facing or garden-level rooms, subject to availability and by prior arrangement, so you need to contact the hotel before booking rather than adding a dog at the last minute. There is an additional charge. Dogs must be kept on a lead everywhere inside the hotel and in its grounds, and must not be left alone in the room. They are welcome in reception and the Colonnade, but not in the restaurant, the Palm Court lounge, any room where food is served, or the leisure and pool areas.

Owners who have stayed describe a hotel that is genuinely willing rather than slick about it. Dog beds and separate bowls have been provided for each dog, and rooms with patio access make quick trips outside straightforward. Against that, guests bringing two dogs have found themselves booking up to a larger, pricier room to do so, and the dog rooms themselves attract the most criticism: worn and chewed furniture, tired carpets, and garden access described as steep and overgrown enough to be awkward. Guests unhappy with the room they were given have been offered alternatives on asking.

Cleanliness is worth flagging. Dog hair has been found left in rooms from previous stays, which matters if anyone in your party has an allergy. Service also gets mixed marks against the grand surroundings, and the pool and steam room have been out of action for maintenance.

The Imperial suits dog owners who want the seafront, the views and the facilities of a large traditional hotel, and are content to walk their dog along the front rather than rely on the hotel's own outdoor space. Confirm the charge, the eligible rooms and how many dogs are allowed when you book.