Best of Winter 2008 - Travel

Meadowood, St. Helena, CA

Fairmont Banff Springs, BC, Canada

Celebrity spotting at the Sundance Film Festival, UT

Romantic Getaway

Winner -  Dunton Hot Springs, CO - Plan your escape to this beautifully restored ghost town near Telluride. Luxurious and charming, Dunton Hot Springs features 12 luxury log cabins, a saloon, bathhouse and a library. The cabins are authentic hand-hewn log structures restored by local and Native American craftsmen, and the entire town can be rented for the perfect destination wedding.
duntonhotsprings.com

More Readers’ Picks
Meadowood, St. Helena, CA; The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough, MT; Inn of the Anasazi, Santa Fe, NM

Luxury Resort

Winner  - Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, BC  - Few hotels can boast the pure luxury that is the Fairmont, and this castle-like property nestled in the Canadian Rockies is no exception. A recent $2.3-million renovation to the award-winning Willow Stream Spa brings 38,000 square feet of blissful indulgence. Cozy, well-appointed rooms, restaurants offering a wide range of regional fare, and exceptional service complete the package.
fairmont.com

More Readers’ Picks
Four Seasons, Jackson Hole, WY; The Peaks Resort, Telluride, CO; St. Regis Resort, Aspen, CO

Editors’ Picks
Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, CO; Amangani, Jackson Hole, WY;  Carmel Valley Ranch, Carmel, CA

Bed & Breakfast

Winner  - Highland Haven Creekside Inn, Evergreen, CO
A quick 30-minute drive from Denver, Highland Haven is an easy and romantic weekend getaway. Whether you choose a secluded cottage or one of the lodge’s rooms, you’ll be welcomed with impeccable, friendly service and beautiful Colorado-style décor. Enjoy a scrumptious homemade breakfast before heading outdoors to marvel in the lodge’s wonderful location along Bear Creek. highlandhaven.com

More Readers’ Picks
Elaine’s, Cedar Crest, NM; Kenwood Inn, Kenwood, CA; Idaho Country Inn, Sun Valley, ID

Proposal Spot

Winner  - Top of the Tram, Palm Springs, CA - If you’re not afraid of heights, make a plan to pop the question two-and-a-half miles above the Chino Canyon on the north edge of Palm Springs. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will get you to the top in about 15 minutes, and stunning vistas will be your backdrop. And when she says yes, you can celebrate on top of the world at the Peaks Restaurant.
pstramway.com

More Readers’ Picks
Bear Creek Falls, Telluride, CO; Sapphire Point, Summit County, CO; in the historic Blue Swallow Motel on Rt. 66, Tucumcari, NM

Editors’ Picks
On a wildflower walk, Glacier Park, MT; in a hot-air balloon over the vineyards, Sonoma, CA; Bitterroot Ranch, Riverton, WY

Car for Mountain Roads

Winner - Volvo Cross Country - The Volvo Cross Country series of automobiles drive like cars but handle like SUVs, making them perfect for those snowy, icy mountain roads. Spacious interiors allow plenty of room for your family, friends and all your gear, and Volvo’s consistently high safety standards mean you’ll get to your favorite resort worry-free.
volvo.com

More Readers’ Picks
Audi Q7; Subaru Outback; Saab 9-7X; Land Rover Freelander 2; Yukon Hybrid; Hummer H3 Alpha

Celebrity Spotting

Winner  - Sundance/Park City, UT - Mountain resorts have always been great places to spot celebrities enjoying a little down time, and no place is better than Park City—especially during the annual Sundance Film Festival, held every January. Start at Robert Redford’s restaurant, ZOOM, then roam the town’s Main Street. Film stars can be seen at high-end bars like The Black Pearl, Harry O’s and Cisero’s.
 
Editors’ Picks
Aspen Food & Wine Classic, Aspen, CO; on the slopes in Jackson Hole, WY