Smart Luxury Award List Provides Solutions for Cost-Conscious Travelers Who Still Crave Luxe

New York (December 3, 2008) –  ShermansTravel Media announces the first annual Smart Luxury Awards, in the Winter 2008/09 issue of Sherman’s Travel, and at www.shermanstravel.com. 

The only list of its kind, the Smart Luxury Awards recognize 75 vastly different travel experiences from around the globe that are the best in their location, provide truly distinctive travel experiences, and are worth the price. 

“Unlike other luxury travel magazines that focus on "pay-any-price-luxury,” our mission at Sherman’s Travel is to find the best-value luxury vacations within reach of most travelers,” says Editor-in-Chief Norman Vanamee.  “Our inaugural list reflects two years of expert research into luxury hotels, restaurants, and experiences, comparing them on price, value, and amenities to give readers only the most worth-it recommendations.” 

"At ShermansTravel Media, we understand that uncertain economic times have made leisure travel a precious commodity, even for luxury travelers,” adds James H. Sherman, Founder and CEO of ShermansTravel Media, parent of Sherman’s Travel and ShermansTravel.com.  “We created this list as a definitive luxury trip-planning reference guide, as opposed to just another travel wish-list.”   

In addition to 50 smart splurges, the list also contains 25 great-value alternatives, which offer similarly exceptional, but more affordable vacation alternatives.  For example:  

•    Best National Park Splurge: Jenny Lake Lodge, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA (starting at $550/night with breakfast and dinner)
•    Great Value Alternative: El Tovar, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ, USA (from $174/night)

•    Best Wine Country Retreat: Auberge Du Soleil, Napa Valley, CA, USA (from $550/night)
•    Great Value Alternative: the Applewood Inn, Sonoma, CA, USA (from $195/night)

•    Best Paris Luxury Hotel Splurge: Le Meurice (from $940/night)
•    Great Value Alternative: Hotel Langlois (from $180/night)

•    Best Caribbean Classic: Four Seasons, Nevis (from $490/night)
•    Great Value /Alternative: The Hermitage Plantation Inn, Nevis (from $325/night)

•    Best Hotel for “Old-World Class” in the New World: The Peninsula, Chicago, (from $550/night)
•    Great Value Alternative: City Suites (from $200/night)

•    Best Culinary Splurge: Cooking School at Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire, England (lessons from $400; rooms from $508/night)
•    Great Value Alternative: Ravenna, Italy’s Mamma Agata (from $238/person for half-day session)

The entire list is available in the Winter 2008/09 issue of Sherman’s Travel, and at www.shermanstravel.com.