The Bird, Bath

The Bird is one of the most whole-heartedly dog-friendly boutique hotels in Bath. This isn't a property that merely tolerates dogs - the staff clearly enjoy having them, and it shows in the little touches guests keep coming back for. Every dog is met with a comfy bed and a water bowl in the room and a Woof Box packed with Lily's Kitchen food, biscuits and a ball, with a jar of treats kept at reception for new arrivals.

Dogs stay for £35 per night each, arranged with reception when you book. Most bedrooms are dog-friendly, though the hotel sensibly suggests one of the larger rooms if you're travelling with a four-legged friend. There's even dog grooming and dog-sitting available through the hotel's sister property a short drive away, which is unusual for a city-centre hotel and handy if you want to visit somewhere dogs can't go. Cats, it's worth noting, aren't accepted - this is a dogs-only welcome.

What guests travelling with dogs mention most is how genuinely looked-after their pets are. Owners describe their dogs being treated as proper guests rather than an afterthought, with welcome boxes of treats, toys and poop bags appearing on arrival and staff going out of their way to make the stay feel special. Several return again and again specifically because of how their dogs are looked after.

The location is a real asset for dog owners. The Bird sits on Pulteney Road, a few minutes' walk from the centre of Bath, Pulteney Bridge and the Abbey, so it's easy to fit in walks between sightseeing, and there are green spaces and dog-welcoming pubs and cafes close by. Breakfast is a highlight, and dogs are part of the experience rather than shut away.

The main thing to weigh up is cost: at £35 per dog per night the fee adds up over a longer break, and travellers with a large dog will want to request one of the bigger rooms. For a short, special city stay where your dog is made as welcome as you are, though, The Bird earns a 4.9/5 paw rating and is hard to beat in Bath.