Victoria Lodge, Shanklin

Victoria Lodge is a small four-star guesthouse on Alexandra Road in Shanklin, a few minutes' walk from the beach and the thatched Old Village, and it is one of those places whose reputation rests almost entirely on the people running it. It earns a 4.6 out of 5 paw rating.

Four rooms take dogs, and that is the number that matters here. With only four, a dog room has to be requested in advance rather than added at check-in, so book early and say you are bringing a dog at the point of booking. No pet fee is published, so confirm any charge directly when you reserve.

Guests travelling with dogs describe an unfussy, genuinely welcoming reception rather than a formal pet package, and breakfast is what almost every review leads with: homemade jams and lemon curd, cooked and continental options side by side, and gluten-free and lactose-free choices handled without fuss. The lounge is large and comfortable with views out to sea, and the dining room is airy enough not to feel crowded when the house is full. On-site parking is a practical bonus when you are arriving with a dog and a boot full of kit.

One thing to weigh carefully. The house has animals of its own, a resident dog and several cats with the run of the place, and guests mention meeting them constantly, almost always as a highlight. If your dog is relaxed around cats that is part of the charm; if it is reactive to them, this is the wrong guesthouse, and no amount of goodwill from the owners changes that. Bedrooms and bathrooms are on the compact side, and the internal walls are thin enough that late conversation carries between rooms.

Best suited to owners of a sociable, cat-tolerant dog who want a warm, family-run base within walking distance of the beach, and who are happy to book well ahead for one of the four dog rooms.