The Midland, Morecambe

The Midland is the Art Deco landmark on Morecambe promenade, a curved white 1930s building facing straight out across Morecambe Bay, and it is unusually relaxed about dogs for a hotel of that standing. Dogs are not confined to the bedroom: guests bring them into the dining rooms, and eating with your dog at your feet while looking out over the bay is one of the things people come back for.

The policy is clear. Dogs are specifically permitted, up to two per booking, at a charge of 15 pounds per night, and it is worth confirming at the time of booking whether that is charged per dog or per room. Staff come up consistently as pleasant and genuinely accommodating with dogs rather than merely tolerant, and the seafront setting does the rest: the promenade runs directly outside the door, so a walk needs no more thought than opening it.

Rooms on the west-facing side are the ones to ask for. The feature doubles on the upper floors are spacious, with large panoramic windows and balconies looking over the bay and the beachfront, while rooms on the east side face the car park instead. Parking is free and plentiful, which is rarer than it sounds on a seafront.

Two caveats. The hotel does not separate dogs from its food areas, so breakfast can involve several dogs around the room, and dog-friendly bedrooms are not obviously flagged as such. That is fine if you are the one with the dog and less so if you are not. Feedback on the hotel is also genuinely polarised, and the restaurant is the usual reason: the setting overlooking the gardens and the sea is lovely, but the main menu is pub food and the kitchen draws criticism for both standard and waiting times.

The Midland earns a 4.5/5 paw rating. It suits dog owners who want a seafront room with a view and a welcome that extends to the restaurant, and who are willing to eat out at least once.