The Fig Tree Shanklin

The Fig Tree is a smartly renovated small hotel in the heart of Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, a short walk from the town's shops, pubs and restaurants. It has built a strong following with dog owners and is one of the more genuinely dog-welcoming hotels on the island.

Dogs are welcomed properly here, not just tolerated. Guests travelling with dogs highlight that their pets are made a fuss of by the staff and are welcome throughout the hotel, including joining you for breakfast, which is a real rarity. It is worth confirming the current terms when you book, but the dog-friendly ethos runs through the place, so much so that one guest noted there are usually plenty of other dogs around.

The hotel is modern, clean and comfortable, with well-sized rooms, some with balconies, and a lift to the upper floors, though there are a few steps at the entrance. The breakfast earns consistent praise, and the friendly, helpful staff come up again and again. Parking is easy, with spaces front and rear.

The setting is a strong point: central Shanklin, with restaurants and amenities an easy stroll away and the Isle of Wight's beaches and coastal walks within easy reach for good days out with a dog.

A few small niggles crop up. The bathrooms can be quirky, with some showers lacking a screen so the floor gets wet, and slow drainage in places, and a couple of guests found the room temperature hard to control. Beds in the smaller rooms can feel compact. None of it dented how dog-friendly guests found the stay.

This suits a dog owner who wants a comfortable, central hotel base on the Isle of Wight where their dog is genuinely welcome everywhere, rather than confined to the room. For a dog-friendly Shanklin stay, the Fig Tree is a strong choice.