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12 Most Anticipated U.S. Hotel Openings of 2017

By U.S. News & World Report

With a fresh calendar year, new hotels from coast to coast are opening their doors in cities big and small, and in areas where such developments are hoped to be the spark for renewal. They range from funky boutique hotels to lifestyle-oriented properties developed by furniture retailers to nationally known chains. Without further ado, here are some of the most anticipated new places to stay in the U.S. this year.

[See: The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2017.]

Restoration Hardware

New York City

The popular chain Restoration Hardware plans to open its very first property in 2017 in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. Housing just 14 rooms, the property will feature a restaurant and will service as a showpiece for its furniture and fixtures. And Restoration Hardware isn’t the only such store getting into the hospitality industry. West Elm is planning to open a chain of boutique properties in a variety of destinations, including Indianapolis, Detroit and Savannah, Georgia, in 2018.

‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach

Oahu, Hawaii

In Fall 2017, the Hawaiian island of Oahu will welcome another cosmopolitan urban retreat for visitors to Waikiki Beach on the site of the current Pacific Beach Hotel. The ‘Alohilani Resort, with more than 800 rooms and suites, will add new restaurants from acclaimed chef Morimoto, a tropical beer garden, a modern Hawaiian design and a pool deck with an infinity pool and floating cabanas. Another highlight: A 280,000-gallon lobby oceanarium showcasing more than 1,000 protected marine life and a display that’s designed to reflect Waikiki Beach’s coral reef formations.

Le Méridien/AC Hotels Denver Downtown

Denver

Denver will be home to a partnership of two hotel brands in summer 2017. Le Méridien, a Starwood property, and AC Hotels, a Marriott brand based in Spain making its debut into the U.S. market, will join forces to open hotels in the same building. While they will feature different lobbies, guests can enjoy amenities at both brands. The joint project will add nearly 500 guestrooms and four new restaurants, including Denver’s highest open-air rooftop bar on the 20th floor, which will offer spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains.

EVEN Hotels Midtown Manhattan

New York City

EVEN Hotels, the wellness brand from the Intercontinental Hotel Group, will open its third property in New York City this year. The property will feature amenities and services designed to help guests stay on track with fitness, nutrition, sleep and productivity while traveling. Located in Midtown Manhattan, the hotel features in-room fitness areas equipped with stability balls and yoga mats, as well as healthy grab-and-go food and drink selections, free filtered water and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

The James West Hollywood

Los Angeles

The first new ground-up hotel in West Hollywood in nearly 30 years, the trendy James Hotel West Hollywood will open this spring. With more than 280 guest rooms, the hotel will offer guests private local car service, a contemporary rooftop lounge with panoramic views, club spaces and free Wi-Fi access. Plus, designers have specially commissioned artwork for the property’s decor. And its signature restaurant Fi’lia will showcase creations from the James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Schwartz.

[Read: The Best Free Hotel Amenities and Experiences.]

Moxy Times Square South

New York City

Marriott’s millennial-targeted hotel brand, Moxy, will enter the New York City market in 2017. The outpost will serve as the company’s flagship property, with more than 600 rooms and is scheduled to open in summer 2017. Located on Seventh Avenue, the hotel will have plenty of outdoor space with views of the Empire State Building, as well as a 6,000-square-foot rooftop fitness area, pop-up shops and numerous restaurants.

Great Wolf Lodge

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Families love Great Wolf Lodge outposts, and with a variety of kid-friendly amenities and entertainment options, it’s no wonder why. And this popular brand, which is known for its massive indoor water parks, added Colorado Springs as its 14th property in January. With plentiful activities for families throughout the Colorado Springs and Denver area, this kid-friendly retreat is ideal for active families. The new resort features a 65,000-square-foot indoor waterpark and more than 300 suites.

Viceroy Chicago

Chicago

A lifestyle-focused hotel brand with properties around the world, Viceroy will open its first hotel in the Windy City this fall. Located in the former 1920s Cedar Hotel building in the Gold Coast neighborhood north of the Chicago River, Viceroy Chicago will have 180 guestrooms, a rooftop bar, pool and lounge on the 18th floor with views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline and a restaurant dishing up Midwestern dishes.

Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown

Los Angeles

Serving as the new global flagship for the Hotel Indigo brand, the Hotel Indigo Los Angeles plans to open in spring. One of four towers in the new development located in downtown LA’s Historic Core near the Staples Center will be design-oriented with nods to historic Chinatown, Hollywood’s Golden Age and the speakeasies of the Prohibition Era. What’s more, the 18 Social cocktail lounge on the top floor will feature dramatic city views. Guests will also have access to an outdoor pool and deck and the Metropole Bar + Kitchen restaurant.

The Study at University City

Philadelphia

A home-away-from-home for academics and book lovers, this boutique hotel brand will open its second location in Philly, reflecting the architecture of the historic city. Set in University City on the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University campuses, the more than 200-room hotel will include a living room with a cafe and spacious seating, as well as an art gallery showcasing the work of local artists.

The Hotel at the University of Maryland

College Park, Maryland

Another college campus-centered hotel opening will be The Hotel at the University of Maryland. Slated to open this summer, the hotel is the first step in plans to transform College Park, located along the Baltimore-Washington Corridor, into one of the top 20 college towns in the U.S. The property will have four restaurants, including one that features some of the state’s claims to fame — crabs and oysters — as well as an Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, a fitness center, a pool and a Zen garden.

[See: The 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean 2017.]

The Grove Resort & Spa

Orlando, Florida

Visitors to Walt Disney World will have a new luxurious place to stay this spring. Opening on Lake Austin, The Grove Resort & Spa will provide more than 800 large residential-style suites with full kitchens, washers and dryers and up to 1,600 square feet for families to spread out. The property will also feature a waterpark with slides and a lazy river, four pools, a spa and conservation grounds. And while the retreat is designed to be a quiet respite from the chaos of the parks, Walt Disney World is still only a few miles away.

More from U.S. News

9 Under-the-Radar Hotel Openings to Watch in 2017

9 Top Hotels for Health-Conscious Travelers

10 Top Hotels You Can Book for $150 a Night (or Less)

12 Most Anticipated U.S. Hotel Openings of 2017 originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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