The Mole Resort - Lodges

The Mole Resort is a collection of modern timber lodges spread across a valley at Chittlehamholt in North Devon, and it is one of the more thoroughly equipped dog-friendly stays in the region: designated dog-friendly lodges, a dedicated dog area within the grounds, hot tubs, a games room, tennis courts, a pool and spa, and an activities team. The lodges are spacious and modern, with bifold doors onto a balcony running the length of the building and long views over the valley.

Dogs cost £20 per night, per dog, with a maximum of two dogs per lodge. That is a number worth doing the arithmetic on before booking: a long weekend with two dogs adds well over a hundred pounds, and guests have said the pet charge worked out at a sizeable share of what they paid for the lodge itself. Some arrivals are met with a dog welcome box, but that appears to be occasional rather than guaranteed.

The dog area and the wider grounds get consistently good reports. The site is well kept, quiet and private without feeling empty, and dog owners describe the reception team as responsive and easy to deal with over messaging. Wildlife around the lodges is a genuine draw, with deer, foxes and red kites regularly seen from the balconies.

Two caveats matter. The first is the restaurant: dogs are not admitted to the main dining room, and parties with dogs are seated in a windowless cellar section instead. Guests have described feeling forgotten there, and have pointed out that pubs and restaurants elsewhere in North Devon took their dog without fuss. The second is housekeeping, which is the resort's most persistent complaint. Dog hair left on floors, cobwebs, and on one occasion dog waste bags under a bed have all been reported. Barking also carries between neighbouring lodges, which cuts both ways depending on whose dog it is.

Best suited to families and groups who want resort facilities and a well-kept site to walk a dog on, and who have priced in a per-dog, per-night charge and plan to eat in the lodge.