As an Airbnb amateur, it's easy to feel some reticence about staying in a private room which forms part of a strangers' home. However, with hosts as amiable as Randy and Phyllis, these fears were completely unfounded.

Thanks to the couple's 'just help-yourself' ethos, you're strongly encouraged to treat the place as your own home, whether it's breakfasting in their kitchen (cinammon-flavoured coffee and pastries/fruit), playing with their adorable ginger cat or having long conversations with them by the ranch's stables. For foreigners (such as myself), it provides the perfect insight into living with an American family.

Moreover, the room is situated at the end of a long corridor and comes with its own (large and spotlessly clean) en-suite bathroom (plus Randy and Phyllis are very quiet) meaning you can have as much solitude as you'd like. It helps the hosts are so uber-friendly too: Randy had kindly printed out some information on the ranch's history (apparently the filmstar Ava Gardner lived here during the 1940s prior to getting hitched to Frank Sinatra).

Burbank comes steeped in a strong equestrian heritage and this unique property has its own stables (including a pair of stunning Andalusian breed horses). The pair almost persuaded me (a relative nag-novice) to take a horse out the following morning for a ride to Griffith Park. For filly-fans this ranch is ideal. But even if you aren't of an equine disposition, it's the perfect place to stay (tasteful decor, location near Universal Studios etc) too. Thank you!