Quirky Stay, York

Quirky Stay is a small one-bedroom apartment in a quiet residential pocket of York, about ten minutes on foot from the city walls, and it solves the two problems that make York awkward with a dog: where to leave the car, and where the dog goes when you get back. The flat comes with its own free parking space right outside, and behind it there is a courtyard garden that is both enclosed and covered, so a dog can be turned out in the rain without a lead or a coat.

The property does not publish a pet fee or a limit on numbers, so agree the terms with the host when you book. What guests with dogs describe instead is a stay set up with them in mind: dog treats left out on arrival, hard floors through the living space, and instructions detailed enough that nobody has to chase the host. Dogs of all ages have stayed here, including an elderly one whose owner rated the doorstep parking above everything else.

The neighbourhood does a lot of the work. It is genuinely quiet, with shops, a friendly pub and a couple of convenience stores within a few minutes' walk, and guests report walking a dog after dark without a second thought. From the door it is an easy, flat walk into the centre, which means the car can stay put for the whole trip.

Three things are worth knowing before booking. The bed sits very low to the floor, which several guests found hard to get in and out of, so it is not the flat for anyone with limited mobility. The parking space and the alley leading to it are tight, so a van or a large estate will be a squeeze, which matters if you travel with a crate. One guest also noticed a persistent smell in the flat similar to cat litter. On balance it suits a couple or a solo traveller with one small or medium dog who would rather walk into York than drive, and it earns a 4.6 out of 5 paw rating.