The Southcliff Hotel, Folkestone

The Southcliff Hotel sits on The Leas, the clifftop promenade that runs along Folkestone's seafront, and it is an easy choice for anyone driving a dog to or from the Channel crossings. Rooms look out over the English Channel, and the path down to the beach starts more or less across the road, so the first walk of the morning takes about two minutes to reach.

Dogs are specifically allowed here rather than quietly tolerated, and the hotel keeps bowls on hand. The charge is £20 per dog per night, which is the detail to do the arithmetic on: a two-night stay with two dogs adds £80 to the bill, and a multi-dog party over a week adds a great deal more. The hotel also asks that you contact it directly at the booking stage so one of its designated pet-friendly rooms is allocated to you, which is worth doing rather than assuming the request will carry through a booking platform.

Staff are the strongest thread running through guest feedback. Dog owners and other guests alike describe the team as friendly, helpful and quick to answer, which counts for a lot in a hotel where the fabric is showing its age. This is a Victorian seafront building that has not been refurbished in some time, and reviews are candid about it: large rooms with plenty of radiators and comfortable beds, but tired decor and variable water pressure.

One recurring complaint is worth knowing before you book with a dog. Several guests describe the carpets as smelling stale or looking dirty, and the nightly pet supplement has drawn objections for exactly that reason. Upstairs windows are restricted for safety and there is no air conditioning, so a summer stay can get warm, and a refundable damage deposit is taken at check-in.

Best suited to dog owners who want a seafront base in Folkestone at a modest price and are relaxed about worn edges, particularly anyone timing a stop around the tunnel or the ferry. Travellers expecting a spotless, recently refurbished room will find the 3.7/5 paw rating reflects the gap.