Sandpiper Suite, Brixham

Sandpiper Suite is a self-contained room-and-courtyard let in a residential pocket of Brixham, a few minutes' walk uphill from the harbour and within reach of Berry Head and the South West Coast Path. It is a homestay in the technical sense, in that the suite sits within a larger house, but it has its own entrance, its own outdoor space and an off-road parking spot, so a dog never has to be walked through anyone else's living room.

The courtyard is the thing dog owners keep coming back to. It is walled, private and secure enough that guests are comfortable leaving a dog out there while they get on with something else, which is rarer than it sounds in a town where most accommodation is terraced and vertical. Combined with the independent access, it makes the ordinary rhythm of a dog holiday straightforward rather than an exercise in logistics: last thing at night, first thing in the morning, muddy paws after the coast path.

The suite itself is finished to a high standard and described consistently as spotless, with robes, toiletries and a tea and coffee station, and hosts who sort things out before arrival rather than after. There are no cooking facilities, though plates and cutlery are provided, so meals mean the harbour's chip shops and pubs, or a picnic in the courtyard.

Two caveats worth weighing. Brixham is steep and this part of it especially so, with a lot of steps between the suite and the town, which is fine for a fit dog and walker but tiring with bad knees or an elderly dog. Guests have also noted the shower runs on the gentle side. And nothing about the pet policy is published, so no fee, no weight limit and no breed rules, which means the details need confirming when you book.

Best suited to a couple with one dog who want a smart, self-contained base within walking distance of a working harbour and some of the better dog walking in south Devon.