Liverpool

Hope Street Hotel

“Privately owned and independently run with an emphasis on friendliness, good food and thoughtful service” is this stylish Liverpool boutique hotel’s claim. It’s hard to argue, although we'd add that it is also properly dog friendly. There’s hope yet for the perfect urban getaway. Try out the hotel's excellent Lazy Sunday offer.

Eat: The hotel rightly claims to love dogs and demonstrates that by allowing dogs in all public spaces apart from the main restaurant, the (geographically confused, historically accurate) London Carriage Works, which serves up modern international menu, albeit one made up from seasonal, organic ingredients. But you can eat with your dog in the Residents' lounge, which has its own bar menu, although you can also order from the Carriage Works menu.

Sleep: The hotel's promise to give dogs a properly good welcome means that all bedrooms are available to dog owners.  With comfortable and spacious rooms (especially if you pay a little more), a great library of CDs and DVDs, and excellent room service, there’s also the option of staying in rather than eating out. All bathrooms come stocked with lovely REN products and dogs are allowed to stay alone in the bedrooms, assuming you did want to eat in the main restaurant. There is a fairly hefty £30 charge per stay for dogs, although the hotel provides bedding and toys.

Walk: Assuming you're on a city break to enjoy the city, then why not settle in to it and enjoy a walk through the bustling city centre? The hotel is smack in the centre of town, although hotel staff are happy to offer you advice on the best local walks. Options include the 235-acre Sefton Park and the Waterfront. If you head north to the beaches, you can bump into the Another Place sculptures by Antony Gormley on Crosby beach.