BestWeekends has unusual criteria for selecting properties and restaurants that is unlike other guidebooks and web sites. Jim believes that anyone can find a good place to stay and eat, but it takes a unique perspective to find the truly memorable places. Another distinctive difference about BestWeekends is that they take no advertising from the places they recommend. Jim believes too many "recommendations" and "features" in the travel industry are tainted by advertising relationships so he has taken that out of the equation.
See below for Q&A with BestWeekends founder Jim Flynn.
Q. So, what is BestWeekends?
A. We provide comprehensive destination profiles and travel planning for weekend getaways. Weekend travel is the fastest growing segment of the travel industry, yet there was no reliable information available devoted to that niche and it is important because most weekends are 3 days at most, so the traveler can't afford to make a mistake on where they stay, where they eat and what they do.
Q. How did you get the idea for it?
A. My wife and I had one of those horrible weekends where nothing turned out as it was portrayed on the Internet. When we got home I tried to find a source for good reliable weekend information and couldn't. We had also observed over the years that so many people go to a destination and stumble around and waste time trying to find things to do and the best places to eat. We thought, wouldn't it be great to know all this before you left home? It would certainly enhance the weekend experience.
Q. How is BestWeekends different from other guidebooks and websites?
A.
- First, we narrow the choices to only the best of what we experienced. Listing 50 hotel choices doesn't help you make a decision, but listing the 4 best does. Same with restaurants and activities. If you like museums and come to New York where there are 150, you really only need to know the 3 or 4 not to miss.
- Second, we actually stay in each lodging recommendation, eat in every restaurant we suggest and sample the activities.
- We update our information annually.
- Maybe most importantly, we accept no advertising from the places we recommend. If a property is on our site, it is because we had a great experience there, not because they pay us to feature them.
A. We provide an overview of the destination and what makes it special. Then we give all the basics like when to go, how to get there, how to get around. Then we recommend 4-5 of the best places to stay and eat, we highlight all the activities available and then we recommend the best in each category. For example, if you are a golfer, we tell you the best 2 or 3 courses to play, not every single one available.
Finally, in our Good to Know section, we offer the "Best" of the destination from where to get a coffee and newspaper in the morning to breakfast spots, places for cocktails, to after dinner fun and a lot more.
Website: http://www.bestweekends.com
