Aye, Dalbeattie town centre's alright, but it's not particularly bonny.
From what I gather the Birchtree's undergone some pretty hefty renovation work, so it may well be pretty nice. Problem with living somewhere is it makes you a pretty useless resource on places to stay I'm afraid, sorry!
Kippford or Barnbarroch are both right on the Solway Coast (arguably the prettiest chunk of D&G) and are where I'd be booking as a first choice. Walking distance to a couple of pubs on the water-front and 2 mins drive up to Dalbeattie if you need supplies of anything.
- https://www.solwaycottages.co.uk/
Mabie House is a good shout if you're happy being further along the coast and nearer Dumfries but that puts you more like an hour away from Kirroughtree (*disclaimer, they're a client but I'd recommend them regardless).
Actually... There's a thought.
The brand spanking new cabins at Laggan will be ready by then (I hope so anyway cos I'm booked into one for a wedding mid-February!).
Haven't been nor seen them myself yet, but all feedback and reports of what they've done with the place have been little short of outstanding.
Cabins at GG's Yard, Laggan