Ocean Gate, St Ives

Ocean Gate is an apartment on St Ives Road in Carbis Bay with a view down over the bay, and it is set up for dogs rather than simply allowing them. Guests travelling with a dog mention the bowls waiting in the kitchen, alongside the welcome pack of milk, tea, coffee and local treats that turns up in most reviews of the place.

The apartment itself is comfortable and unusually well stocked for a self-catering let, with a good kitchen, board games for wet afternoons and a folder of local information covering the nearest shops, chemist and doctors. Guests consistently describe it as clean, modern and bigger than they expected. Up to two dogs can come, which makes it workable for a two-dog household rather than just a single-dog one.

Carbis Bay beach is about ten minutes downhill, which makes for an easy morning walk and a steady climb back with the views as compensation. The coast path between Carbis Bay and St Ives is one of the best short walks in Cornwall for a dog, and St Ives itself is close enough to reach on foot or in a couple of minutes on the branch line.

Two things to weigh up. The outside space is enclosed, which is the useful part, but it is gravelled rather than grassed, and guests with dogs have found it less than ideal for a quick toilet break, so the nearest grass means a short walk. The apartment also sits on a busy main road, which is no problem indoors but does mean a short lead on the way out, and the parking is shared with next door and not especially generous.

Best suited to a couple or small family with one or two dogs who want a smart, well-stocked base within walking distance of two of Cornwall's best beaches, and who do not mind a hill. It earns a 4.4/5 paw rating.