Sunset Retreat, Hunstanton

Sunset Retreat is a bright, modern apartment on Manor Road in Hunstanton, a short walk from the seafront on the one stretch of the Norfolk coast that faces west, and it works well as a base for a few days with a dog. The location does much of the work: the dog-friendly section of the beach, a supermarket, a pub and the town centre are all within walking distance, so the car can sit unused for most of a short break.

The pet terms are clear and modest by seaside-apartment standards - £25 per pet for the whole stay rather than per night, with one pet per booking and anything beyond that to be agreed with the owner directly. Inside, the flat is clean, comfortable and cheerfully decorated, and dog owners consistently describe it as an easy, low-fuss place to bring a small dog.

Hunstanton suits dog-led days better than most Norfolk resorts. The dog-friendly end of the beach is a short walk away, the promenade and the striped cliffs give you a proper circuit, and the town is compact enough that you are never far from the flat when the weather turns. Facing west across the Wash, it is also one of the few places on this side of the country where a dog walk can finish with the sun going down over the sea.

A few honest caveats. The apartment is smaller than the photographs suggest, and the private garden is less private than the description implies, so if you were counting on enclosed outdoor space for your dog, plan around that rather than on it. Guests have also reported dog odour lingering on the sofa from earlier stays, which makes a throw of your own a sensible thing to pack. The double mattress is very soft, and the hot water runs short. None of that stops it working: for a small dog and a walkable seaside break, Sunset Retreat earns 4.4/5.