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6 Top Hotel Brands for Your Summer Road Trip

By U.S. News & World Report

With kid-friendly features and cutting-edge amenities, these hotel companies stand apart.

If you’re hitting the road this summer, now is the time to book hotel rooms along your route. But with dozens of well-known hotel brands vying for your attention on multiple hotel booking sites, it’s hard to know which one deserves your hard-earned vacation dollars. That’s why U.S. News pinpointed the top brands, from trendy collections with urban allures and first-rate service to internationally recognized chains with kid-friendly perks, to help direct you to your ideal retreat on your summer drive. Here’s where to stay, whether you’re embarking on a classic road trip with the family or escaping for a quick weekend getaway.

Embassy Suites

Best for: families

With the kids in tow, a hotel room with a little more space and perks such as complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi access is always appreciated. Opt for a room at Embassy Suites, and you can enjoy family-friendly amenities and earn Hilton Honors points. The complimentary breakfast at most locations includes made-to-order offerings, and two-room suites are the norm. Many Embassy Suite outposts are located in downtown city centers, allowing families to easily walk to top attractions. Plus, you can always count on a hosted happy hour each evening, complete with treats for the kids.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations

Best for: families

Want to upgrade to a resort with a dizzying array of perks? Book a stay at a Holiday Inn Club Vacation resort and you can get a spacious villa or condo, access to resort-worthy pools and play spaces and amenities that can help trim vacation costs such as full kitchens and laundry facilities. What’s more, Holiday Inn Club Vacation properties are abundant in popular tourist destinations such as Florida and California, making them a good choice at the end of the road.

W Hotels & Resorts

Best for: couples

On a romantic road trip, you may want to splurge a little. It’s possible to find an intimate atmosphere at a well-known hotel chain, with an attentive hotel staff who will know how to pamper you and your better half. Take W Hotels & Resorts, which offer properties that aren’t just well-suited for business travelers and are no longer located only in bustling urban districts. At W properties, couples can earn Starwood points while enjoying perks such as sleek cocktail bars, upscale dining options and tech-forward features like high-speed internet. Many locations cater to wellness-seekers with fitness center access at nearby city clubs or yoga classes.

Ace Hotel

Best for: couples

Prefer a boutique hotel that’s intimate, stylish and personalized? The Ace Hotel collection offers locations across vibrant cities in the U.S. and worldwide. Whether you’re planning a scenic road trip out West in Seattle, Portland, Oregon, LA or Palm Springs, California, or organizing a trip to the Midwest or the South in places such as Chicago or New Orleans, there’s an Ace outpost for you. Best of all, couples can bypass the corporate feel of bigger hotel chains and enjoy culturally immersive experiences that reflect their respective locale. Most Ace properties also include inviting common spaces such as lounges, lofts or rooftop gardens ideal for social couples who enjoy mingling with travelers and locals.

Kimpton Hotels

Best for: girlfriend getaways

Hitting the road with your posse this summer? Whether you’re planning a weeklong vacation or a quick weekend escape, you and your friends will want the hotel scene to match your sense of adventure and fun. Few hotel brands understand the concept of relaxation paired with artistic style like Kimpton Hotels. Housed in historic buildings, Kimpton properties combine overstated, bold decor with top-notch on-site dining and excellent downtown city locations. At Kimpton properties, you’ll enjoy local flair and earn Kimpton Karma Rewards points to apply for a future stay, too.

Hotel Indigo

Best for: girlfriend getaways

Hotel Indigo properties values exploration, and most hotels are located in hip neighborhoods, within walking distance of (or a quick drive from) must-see attractions. Like Kimpton, another chain within the IHG Hotels portfolio, no two Indigo properties are alike, so each getaway can have a different flair. Plus, the hotel’s attentive staff is always happy to give local tips to make your trip even more special.

More from U.S. News

8 All-Inclusive Hotels to Stay in This Summer

Where to Find the Best Hotel Concierges

8 Bucket List Hotels Worth the Trip

6 Top Hotel Brands for Your Summer Road Trip 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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