This was my first experience with Airbnb and Karin provided the kind of hospitality with a personal touch that hotels pay lip service to but don’t always provide. She was knowledgeable, ready with a map and tips for good pubs, cafes, bookshops and museums, and enthusiastic about her neighbourhood and the city in general. The apartment was beautiful and after walking around the Georgian squares and visiting the James Joyce museum it was lovely to come back and open the door to a well-preserved, well-loved example of the style. Somewhere with food in the fridge, good books on the bookshelf, and some good DVDs available if you just felt like having a quiet night. I must admit I was a bit daunted by the many pages of instructions and helpful tips — but when I had to instruct a cab driver Karin’s tips were very helpful and later, troubleshooting a minor problem, I realised the solution was right there on the page.