Host John’s property gets five of five stars for comfort, and Host John gets ten of five stars for hospitality. I am a female, age 72, and retired. After three days in a hotel and three mishaps trying to book an entire property (apartment or house) in County Mayo, I arrived down a country lane at the farmhouse of Host John. I was weary from searching for a booking, fatigued from learning to drive on left, and immediately relieved to have an inviting room with share bath in this family house. Host John’s welcome was warm and his concern for guests is genuine. His motto is, “my house is your home.”
Host John’s property is a large farm house with a family dog, a family cat, and family horses. Work boots are lined in a row by the front door. Guests are encouraged to use the kitchen, the laundry, and the entire house, and to go for walks on the farm. The house is clean and comfortable – a space where relaxing comes easy. The country location is safe for guests and for their vehicles. The local pub at Rakestreet is roughly .66 miles (1.1 km) away, Enniscoe House and Gardens with a fine tea room for lunch and free access to marked trails is 2.2 miles (3.7 km) away, Crossmolina, the nearest market town with two small grocery stores, is 1.9 miles (3.1 km) away, and Ballina is 6.5 miles (10.8 km) away.
My spacious upstairs room has a single bed with a good mattress and a cozy duvet, a big desk, and ample storage space for clothes. There are two windows with lovely views of the country side and dark curtains for blocking out the natural night time light. The large shared hall bath, shared with guest in another single room, is adjacent to my room. It has a deep soaking tub/shower combination. A bedroom with king bed has an ensuite bath with a shower. The general location is good for exploring County Mayo and beyond. Mount Nephin is within sight. Forford Woolen Mill is not far. There is a great variety of sightseeing activities. Ceide Fields, Achill Island, Westport, and Enniscrone beach are within an easy drive.
The really special aspect of this property is Host John, his personal touch. He attends promptly to any reasonable request, is eager to provide information about local places of interest, and always has the time to pause from his work for a little chat. Host John is keen to take good care of his guests. As soon as I arrived, he gave me his cell phone number and said if I had any problems when out sightseeing (car problems, etc. – anything), to please phone him and he would be there to help. That is care beyond the call of duty, but it was very reassuring. I recommend Host John’s “Equine Happiness” property to anyone. It is safe, clean, welcoming, comfortable, and comes complete with a congenial host and with a soft, rural tranquility for humans as well as for horses.
I booked here for 28 days and enjoyed every day. Finding Host John and his family was a real WIN for me. I would be pleased to return, and I am glad to recommend this property with enthusiasm, absent any hesitancy or qualification.