BOUTIQUE STAYS - The Richardson

The Richardson is a whole holiday home managed by Boutique Stays in Mentone, in Melbourne's bayside southeast, close to Mentone Beach and the Cheltenham shops. It is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-level house with a courtyard and an entertainer's deck, and you book the entire property, which suits a dog that travels as part of the family.

Dogs at The Richardson

Small dogs are welcome but must be pre-approved, so flag your dog at the time of booking or before arrival rather than turning up with one. The pet fee is AUD 15 per night. The standard Boutique Stays conditions apply: dogs are not to be left unattended at the property, they stay off furniture and carpet, and you are responsible for cleaning up after them. Being a whole house rather than an apartment gives a bit more margin for a settled dog, but the approval step is not optional.

Worth knowing

The exact street address is released with your booking confirmation, and the house sits near Thrift Park and the Cheltenham shopping strip, with cafes within walking distance. Mentone and Cheltenham stations connect to the Melbourne CBD, and there is on-site parking at the house. Because the property sits in a residential street, keep the courtyard noise sensible if you head out and leave the dog inside for a short stretch, since unattended pets are against the house rules.

The beach run

Mentone Beach is the main event for dogs here. A 500-metre stretch of sand between Charman Road and Plummer Road is a designated off-leash area, open 24 hours a day year-round, which is unusual for the Kingston foreshore where most other sections run seasonal rules. On the Bay Trail paths, car parks and non-designated sand, the leash goes back on.

Close by with the dogs

After the beach, Happy As Larry does coffee near the strip, and The Corner Store handles a sit-down meal. If the sand is crowded, Reg Marlow Reserve fenced dog park gives an off-lead alternative close by.

Max: Small dogs only and approval first, then it is a five-minute walk to 500 metres of off-lead sand.