The Compass

The Compass is a one-bedroom flat in Swanage, set in a courtyard that forms part of the conversion of the town's former Ship Hotel, a Grade II listed building. The same conversion includes The Ship Inn and its restaurant, and a shop and pub are 2 minutes away on foot.

The whole flat is on the first floor. From the allocated parking space a flight of steps climbs to a raised patio, and a flight of stairs then leads up to the front door, so it is not suitable for anyone with mobility problems. Inside there is one open-plan room with a fitted kitchen, a breakfast area and a sitting area with a TV that carries a BT Sports package. The shower room, with shower, basin and WC, sits next to the bedroom.

The bedroom has a double bed and a pull-out bed for a child, though the flat is booked as sleeping two. The kitchen has a gas oven and hob, a fridge, a dishwasher and a washing machine, and WiFi is included. Heating is gas, and fuel, power, bed linen and towels are all covered in the booking. Outside, a designated dining space on the communal patio takes breakfast in the open.

Parking is one allocated off-road space, suited to medium family cars and SUVs and tight for anything larger. Pets and smoking are not allowed, and in the peak season bookings must be for a minimum of seven nights. It suits a couple who want shops, a pub and the seafront close by and are fine with a flight of stairs at each end of the day.