Cherry Tree Lodge, Sandbank

Cherry Tree Lodge sits above the Holy Loch at Sandbank, a few miles round the water from Dunoon, and it is set up for dogs in the small practical ways that matter on a Scottish break. It is a self-contained timber lodge on a quiet holiday park, with a covered balcony looking out over the loch and an enclosed area of decking where a dog can sit out with you without being on a lead.

The welcome for dogs is more thought-through than most self-catering lodges manage. Guests travelling with dogs consistently mention a dog pack waiting on arrival - towels, a bowl, poo bags and a treat or two - alongside the usual human basics of tea towels, washing-up liquid and dishwasher tablets. Several also describe a basket of supplies left specifically for the dog. It is a small thing, but it is the difference between a property that tolerates dogs and one that has actually thought about them.

The setting does a lot of the work. This is a quiet, tree-lined corner of the Cowal peninsula with walks straight from the door, and the water is close enough that the views come as standard from the balcony. The restaurant and arcade down at the quay are around five minutes on foot, and the ferry across the Clyde is close by, which makes the lodge an easy base for exploring Argyll with a dog in the car. Owners repeatedly describe the location as peaceful and easy to come back to after a day out.

A few things are worth knowing. The lodge sits on a park with its own bar, restaurant and leisure facilities, and those have been closed during at least one stay, so check what is open before you count on them. The sofas in the living room are low and have drawn complaints from taller guests, and the mattress has been called firmer than some would like. A charge is made for the dog and the lodge takes up to two, so check the current amount and confirm your numbers when you book. Some breeds are not accepted either, which is worth checking before you commit.

Best suited to: couples and families who want a quiet loch-side base with a dog, easy access to Argyll, and a property that supplies the dog kit so you do not have to pack it.