INNSTAR.COM B&B Guidebook Review1st Traveler's Choice http://www.virtualcities.com "America's Best B&B's, Inns and Small Hotels"
RATING:
Date last reviewed:
1/11/2006
Score: 80
Area Covered:
North America (US, Canada, Mexico), concentrated in East, West & Gulf Coasts. Some in Europe, Caribbean areas, too.
Listing Type/Number:
About 2800, detailed listings only, with at least 2 pages, 3 pictures (some have 3 pages/7 pictures or even more) and direct email links; most now have links to independent websites. Long descriptions, local information & more; no basic listings.
Type & Description:
Inn List. From Virtual Cities homepage, select 'Bed & Breakfast'; then select Canadian province, U.S. state, or other area. In U.S., each state is divided geographically (often by state 'tourism region') - may select region or all listings in state. At each region, there's a small map to show where it is in the state. Within a region, is often broken down geographically as well - otherwise alpha by city/inn. These regional lists also include some local associations, 'restaurants', 'of special interest' and 'vacation rentals.'
Also has an option for selecting the city rather than the region.
Quality Assurance:
provides for inns to include affiliations in descriptive text.
Other:
Extras include language index, guest/dude ranch and fishing resort lists, ski info, getaways (town info), golf areas, weddings, kid-friendly, pet-friendly inns, restaurants recommended by Innkeepers, recipe site called "Internet Cookbook." Some inns use site's proprietary on-line reservation option; also has links to other availability sites. Also has hospitality tradeshow, properties for sale. Guide cooperated in facilitating review and verifying data.
Innkeeper Info:
Promotion: Submits inn & state pages & has keywords on all pages.
Rates: $95 for 2-page/3-picture, $130 for 3-page/7 picture; higher listings available. Additional 3-picture pages $35 each. No extra charge for specialty listings (pet friendly, kid friendly, etc.). Now provides prominent links to your page; charge is $25 for lowest-level listings, declines as you add more pages.
Contact: (800)809-7111; fax (903)561-9304 or email lstone@virtualcities.com.
