The Apartment 23a, Glenarm

The Apartment 23a sits along Deerpark Road on the inland edge of the Glens of Antrim, and it is the kind of owner-run place where a dog is expected rather than merely tolerated. Denise and Clive live in the main house, but the apartment has its own entrance and its own privacy, so there is no shared lobby or corridor to negotiate every time the dog needs to go out.

Dogs are charged at £10 per night each and need to be arranged before arrival rather than turning up unannounced. Guests travelling with dogs consistently mention treats left out in the kitchen alongside the welcome pack of milk, coffee and biscuits, which is a small touch that suggests the welcome is genuine rather than grudging. The apartment itself is spacious and spotlessly kept, with a barbecue outside that the owners will help you get going if the Antrim weather turns.

The setting is the main draw and the main caveat at once. This is a remote spot: the views from the bedroom are long, and the night sky is dark enough for proper stargazing. But the nearest shops are a 15 to 20 minute drive, and the approach is easy to miss on a first visit, so use the directions the owners send ahead. The Causeway Coastal Route, Glenarm village and the coast road north are all within comfortable reach for a day out with the dog in the car.

Two things are worth knowing before booking. The immediate ground around the apartment is a little awkward for a small dog that needs a quick patch of grass late at night, so plan the last walk of the day. And the owners keep dogs of their own who may come out to say hello on arrival, which is a delight if your dog is sociable and worth flagging in advance if it is not. With a 4.5/5 paw rating, this suits couples and small families who want a quiet, generously equipped base for the Glens with the dog along.