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6 Relaxing Spas in Dallas — Locals’ Picks

By U.S. News & World Report

A full day of shopping or sightseeing in Dallas is sure to leave you aching for a way to relax. Lucky for you, the city has a number of luxurious spas where road-weary travelers can choose from a menu of great massages, facials and manicures. Local experts say these spas will have you refreshed and ready for the next day of your Dallas vacation.

Well & Being Spa

If you’re looking to unwind, step into the relaxation lounge at Well & Being Spa. This luxurious spa in the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas lets visitors kick back in its whirlpool or book a much-needed massage, detoxifying mud mask from the Mud Bar or restorative body wrap.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Dallas-Fort Worth.]

A favorite from the treatment menu is the Blues Be Gone Massage. For this service, a massage therapist uses ginger root body oil to ease muscle tension and employs acupressure techniques. Another popular option is the Moisture Bound Body Wrap — after your skin is exfoliated, it’s covered in aloe vera and prickly pear gel, and you’re wrapped in soft muslin.

The spa desk opens at 8 a.m. daily. You can schedule treatments Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Spa Adolphus

Spa Adolphus exudes an airy and relaxing feel, and offers great views from the seventh floor of The Adolphus hotel in downtown Dallas. Renovated in 2016, the upscale spa has six treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor relaxation lounges, and a pool.

“It’s really up-to-date and modern,” says Susan Tilley, concierge at The Westin Galleria Dallas.

Massages, facials, manicures, hair and makeup are all on the treatment menu at the Spa Adolphus. Try The Signature, a 90-minute full-body massage offered with your choice of aromatherapy oil. It includes hot stone therapy on the lower legs and feet, and at the end, you get a take-home vial of your selected oil.

The spa is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Spa at The Joule

At The Spa at The Joule, guests are encouraged to book a specific amount of time (usually two to three hours) rather than treatments themselves. It’s a different approach that, according to the spa, allows it to tailor services to each guest’s needs.

[Read: 5 Great Dallas Shopping Spots.]

“The facility speaks for itself,” says Frank Everet, W Insider for the W Dallas – Victory. “It’s [a] decadent, beautiful, well-created spa.”

Treatments at the downtown Dallas spa range from custom massages to luxury facials to lash and brow tinting. It also offers cupping therapy, a treatment where jars are suctioned to the skin, made famous by champion swimmer Michael Phelps during the 2016 Summer Olympics. Other favorites at this spa are the vitality pool with massage loungers and the crystal steam room.

Spa guests who reserve any treatment longer than 50 minutes can take a free class at The Joule hotel’s Vital Fitness Studio, which is adjacent to the spa. Studio classes include yoga, high-intensity interval training and cycling.

The spa is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Grand Spa

As its name implies, the Grand Spa has a range of services available. You can book Botox treatments, facials specially formulated for teens, waxings, body scrubs, lash extensions and massages — including the Hot Oil Scalp Massage, during which the therapist works essential oils into your scalp and neck. The nail salon even offers a manicure and pedicure for kids.

This spa in North Dallas has a sauna and spacious lounge areas, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere. For bridal events and parties, the spa also has a dining room where you can break from the spa treatments for a bite to eat.

“It’s huge,” Tilley says. “Grand is definitely the word to describe it.”

[Read: 5 Dallas Parks to See on Vacation.]

The Grand Spa is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dallas

For the ultimate indulgence, head to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dallas for its famous Texas Eight-Hand Massage, where four therapists provide an eight-handed rub down.

The spa, located at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, has spacious relaxation lounges and two VIP couple’s suites. Treatments include manicures, facials and various services geared toward men. If you don’t book a Texas Eight-Hand Massage, try Dean’s Margarita Salt Glow, which includes a salt scrub, rinse and moisturizing body massage.

The spa is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bliss Spa

Enjoy views of downtown Dallas while you recharge at the Bliss Spa, located on the 16th floor of the W Dallas – Victory. Offerings include massages, nail services, waxing and body treatments. Guests can also enjoy its aromatic steam room, lounge and sauna.

Everet says he recommends his own hotel’s spa. “The second you reach the spa on the 16th floor, you instantly feel relaxed and you’re instantly escaping from whatever is stressing you out.”

Bliss Spa is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To experience more of what Dallas has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.

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6 Relaxing Spas in Dallas — Locals’ Picks 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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