Experience luxury for less in 2009

June 4, 12:16 PMLouisville Travel ExaminerZach Everson

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Fine things for $20 might be a stretch, but luxury travel is affordable in 2009. (Photo: Flickr/quinn.anya)

Along with staycations, the other big recession-related travel subject the media is pushing these days is luxury for less. While I avoided piling on with the first topic, mostly because the concept is as contrived as the word, I'm in on spending the same to experience more this year.

Evidence that luxury is within reach for more people in 2009? The Ritz-Carlton is advertising its Peace of Mind package with phrases like

• "providing you with more than your money's worth"
• "offerings which are not just about spending less"
• "value added options"

The Ritz Carlton has amazing deals going on now, said Carl Schwartz, Cheapflights.com's chief travel officer, citing an all-inclusive deal he found for the Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort in Jamaica that was $400 a night.

(I was drooling over a similar deal at the Ritz-Calrton Powerscourt, County Wicklow, just outside of Dublin.)

But these deals aren't being offered from just one luxury hotel, however; summer 2009 is shaping to be a great time for travelers.

"The traveler has so much power right now," Schwartz said.

Schwartz isn't just talking up luxury deals to get you to book a trip on his company's Web site either. He's took advantage of one himself.

In August he's taking his family to The Broadmoor, a five-star luxury report in Colorado Springs, Colo. "Right now, all in for a family of five for all flights and all accommodations and a few activities booked it's $1,500 for a five-night stay."

"I did it because the price was right," Schwartz said.

So should you.