No 5 Compass, Ilfracombe

No 5 Compass is a self-catering apartment on Capstone Crescent in Ilfracombe, a few minutes' walk from the harbour and looking straight out over the bay. It suits dog owners who would rather have their own front door, kitchen and balcony than a hotel corridor, and the owner plans for dogs rather than merely tolerating them.

The pet terms are modest and clear: up to two dogs, and they need to be well behaved and toilet trained. No pet fee is published, so confirm whether one applies when you book. Guests travelling with dogs mention arriving to find treats and a brush waiting alongside the usual welcome touches, and several describe the flat as being as well set up for the dog as it is for the people. The hosts come across as friendly and quick to respond during a stay.

The location does a lot of the work. Capstone Point and the headland path are on the doorstep, there is a grassed area at the end of the road that dog owners rate for a last walk before bed, and the seafront, harbour and coast path are all within an easy stroll. The daily walk sorts itself out without getting in the car.

Three things are worth knowing before booking. The flat is reached by several flights of stairs with no lift, and that comes up repeatedly from guests who brought a dog: fine for a fit young spaniel, harder work for an older or heavier one, and a chore for the last toilet trip of the night. It is also a flat within a shared building with other occupants below, so comings and goings with a dog are audible, and that has not sat comfortably with everyone who has stayed. A faint dog smell around the lounge sofa has been noted too, unsurprising in a flat that hosts dogs regularly, but worth knowing if anyone in your party is sensitive to it.

Best suited to one or two able-bodied dogs whose owners want a sea-view base for exploring North Devon and do not mind the climb.