Ockendon House Apartments

Ockendon House Apartments sits on Warren Road above central Torquay, and it is one of the more genuinely dog-aware places to base yourself on the English Riviera. It is a self-catering apartment let rather than a hotel, so there are no shared corridors or lift queues to negotiate - you let yourself in and the day runs on your dog's schedule rather than a front desk's.

What guests travelling with dogs mention most is the welcome the hosts put together. Alongside the usual milk and biscuits, arriving dogs find a basket with treats, bowls, a blanket and towels, and the hosts leave a written list of dog-friendly restaurants, pubs and beaches nearby so nobody has to work out which Torquay places will take a dog. The sea-facing terrace and balcony come up repeatedly as somewhere a dog can settle between walks, and the small garden area is enclosed enough that guests with dogs report using it for off-lead time.

Two practical points worth planning around. The apartment is reached by a flight of stairs, which guests flag as the main physical hurdle - relevant if you have an older dog, a heavy breed you might end up carrying, or luggage to haul. And as in most of central Torquay, parking is on-street rather than on-site, though the hosts help guests work out where to leave a car.

The setting suits short walks: the harbourside, the shops and Torre Abbey Sands are all walkable downhill, Meadfoot Beach is a short drive for out-of-season beach days, and Cockington Country Park is close by when you want somewhere longer and greener. Best suited to couples or a small group with one well-mannered dog that handles stairs, who want a Torquay base with sea views, a private terrace and hosts who have clearly thought about dogs before you arrive.