This was my first Airbnb and it couldn't have been better. Ruth the host is very welcoming. When I arrived she welcomed me with a bottle of water and a bar of chocolate. She let me park my car in front of her house and even stood out in the rain so I could find her house on arrival.

The room is cosy and exactly as depicted and has a large selection of maps and information for guests. There are also some books on the shelf beside the bed. Her house is located very close to the Great Western Greenway. The cycle/walking track into Westport and the Quay is very close to the house. The house is also very close to the Westport Woods hotel and is popular with people attending weddings there.

Ruth provides a selection of cereals, toast and eggs for breakfast and REAL Irish butter. She grows organic vegetables in her garden and offered me some tomatoes for breakfast on my second day - they were delicious!

Ruth provides bikes for guests which was a major selling point for me. I cycled from her house to Bertra beach which is 15kms from Westport. I passed Croagh Patrick and Murrisk on the way so guests can cycle to Croagh Patrick and climb it if they're feeling brave enough. The seriously brave can cycle as far as Louisburgh, Leenane or further if they wish. On the way back from Bertra I stopped at Cronin's Sheebeen for lunch - they have a bike park.

You can easily access the Great Western Greenway from Ruth's house. This is very popular with cycling enthusiasts. Ruth even provides a gel saddle which will make longer cycles easier.

Ruth is very easy going and there are very few rules. No outdoor shoes are to be worn upstairs because she takes pride in her house. It goes without saying that guests should be considerate towards the host - be as tidy as possible, follow the rules, respect her space and generally treat her as you would expect to be treated if someone were staying at your house.

I would be happy to stay at Ruth's house again. Airbnb is a good option for the single traveller who doesn't want to pay single supplements in hotels or regular guesthouses. Staying in the house of a local is an invaluable way to find out the best places to go in the area and the most cost effective options for travellers on a budget.

I could not recommend this Airbnb highly enough.