The Townhouse 101, Sandown

The Townhouse 101 is a Victorian guesthouse on Station Avenue in Sandown, a few minutes' walk from both the seafront and the railway station on the Isle of Wight. It is owner-run and small, and dog owners describe it as one of those places where the dog is treated as another guest rather than a condition attached to the booking.

The practical benefit is breakfast. Dogs are welcome in the breakfast room, which for anyone travelling with a dog that will not settle alone is the difference between a proper start to the day and a pastry upstairs. Breakfast is pre-ordered the night before and cooked fresh, with a decent range to choose from. Guests with more excitable dogs have found the hosts unbothered by a bit of noise, which says more about the welcome than any written policy would.

Sandown does the rest of the work. The beach is a two-minute walk and the dog-friendly stretch is a little further along the front. The station is close enough to make the guesthouse workable without a car, which is unusual on the island, and the hosts are generous with suggestions for walks and days out. Rooms are en-suite, freshly decorated and consistently described as spotless; one has a balcony where breakfast can be taken outside in good weather.

A couple of things to know. There is no published pet policy - no stated fee, weight limit or number of dogs - so confirm the details directly when you book, particularly if you are bringing more than one. Parking is in a public car park nearby rather than on site. And in the twin balcony room the mattresses have been described as soft, which is a matter of taste rather than a fault.

A 4.8/5 paw rating puts it near the top of the island's dog-friendly stays. It suits couples and solo travellers who want a small, well-kept guesthouse where the dog comes down to breakfast and the beach is at the end of the road.