The Fig Tree Shanklin

The Fig Tree is a renovated hotel a couple of streets back from Shanklin's main run of shops and restaurants, and it has become a reliable choice for dog owners on the Isle of Wight. Dogs are not simply tolerated here: they are allowed into the bar, including at breakfast, which is unusual enough on the island to be the thing guests with dogs mention first.

The practical detail matters before booking. The property charges a pet fee of thirty pounds for the whole stay rather than per night, and dogs are put in selected rooms rather than anywhere in the hotel, so flag the dog when you book rather than on arrival. The listing also asks for small, well behaved dogs only, which rules out larger breeds.

Guests travelling with dogs describe the welcome as genuinely warm rather than grudging, and staff are singled out repeatedly for being friendly and quick to sort problems out. Rooms are modern and a good size, several with small balconies looking over the church towards the sea, and housekeeping standards come in for consistent praise. Breakfast is a proper cooked affair with a decent choice, and having the dog under the table for it is part of the appeal.

There are caveats, and they follow from the same open-door policy. Guests without a dog have found the number of dogs in the public areas a downside, and there have been complaints about dogs being allowed up onto the outdoor furniture. If a dog-free lounge matters to you, this is not the place. Reviewers also mention shower floors that drain slowly and beds on the small side.

Parking is free at the front and rear, though there are a few steps into the building and spaces fill up at busy times. With a 4.6/5 paw rating, The Fig Tree suits owners of small dogs who want a sociable, town-centre base within walking distance of Shanklin Old Village, the Chine and the beach.