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Travel: 9 luxurious, over-the-top hotel amenities

By WTOP Staff

1. Tanning butler: The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Miami

The Ritz-Carlton chain is known for luxury, but it’s South Beach outpost has upped the ante with the tanning butler.The hotel’s signature tanning butler patrols the pool deck to help guests apply sunscreen (even those hard-to-reach areas) and offer a buffet of tanning products, sunglasses and other sun necessities.

2. Pet psychic: Hotel deLuxe, Portland

Portland’s Hotel deLuxe is not just pet-friendly — it’s a legitimate pet paradise. The hotel offers welcome amenities for your furry friends — like plush bedding, food and water bowls, toys, and treats — as well as access to special services such as pet massage, dog walkers, pet acupuncture, doggie room service, and — Fido’s favorite — pet psychics and pet psychologists.

SEE ALSO: 10 great honeymoons on a budget

3. Gondola couples massage: Loews Coronado Bay Resort, San Diego

If you like your romance with a side of indulgence (and a hint of voyeurism), San Diego’s Loews Coronado Bay Resort may be just what you’re looking for. The hotel’s fleet of gondolas is not only available for afternoon rides, but also one-of-a-kind couples massages. As the gondolier drifts you through the private marina, your personal masseuse will round out the relaxing experience by kneading your cares away.

4. Monogrammed bathrobes: Hotel Ritz Madrid

Sometimes the most simple things can seem the most luxurious — especially after a grueling transatlantic flight. At Madrid’s Hotel Ritz, staff places personalized, monogrammed robes in the room before your arrival. Wrapped in red ribbon with single rosebuds, these are no ordinary bathrobes; they’re probably the most luxe and plush you’ve ever cozied up in.

5. Room service for pets: The Lowell, New York City

For luxury travelers who adore their four-legged friends, The Lowelloffers the ultimate in pet pampering — yes, we have to admit, it even beats out previously-mentioned Hotel deLuxe. The hotel’s special pet room service menu features gourmet made-to-order meals, including lamb ragout, organic buffalo marrowbone, and filet mignon tartar, with side orders of potatoes, rice and sardines. Can we get a fork, as well? For dessert: Doggie ice cream, fish skin chews imported from Iceland, and classic treats like Milkbones are available. You can also order specialty pet shampoos, paw butter, aromatherapy sprays, and more.

6. Famous artists in residence: Andaz Fifth Avenue, New York City

For art lovers and bibliophiles, there are few destinations better than New York City. And within the city, there are few better hotel options than the Andaz Fifth Avenue. Here, locally-inspired decor, such as graffiti art, and a rotating artists-in-residence program, which showcases — and allows guests to rub elbows with — some of the city’s best and most famous talent, make it an excellent artsy pick. The Andaz has also partnered with the New York City Public Library (located just across the street) to create a fantastic on-site lending library with 700+ hand-selected books that include the hotel’s favorites from the famed library.

7. Fragrance butler: Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver

Vancouver’s Rosewood Hotel Georgia sets the stage for a luxurious vacation with plush furnishings, gorgeously-maintained historic touches, and sweet-smelling…guests? Indeed, the hotel boasts a dedicated fragrance butler who can assist guests with selecting, sampling and purchasing a signature scent. Upscale colognes like Bulgari Pour Homme and Hermes Terre d’Hermes, as well as perfumes like the classic Chanel No. 5 and the avant garde Bulgari Black, are available, as are many other luxe and exclusive options.

8. Tea sommelier: The Lanesborough, a St. Regis Hotel; London

The English take tea seriously, but London’s posh Lanesborough Hotel has elevated the humble tea leaf to gourmand status. The property’s talented tea sommelier works the floor at every afternoon tea service, enlightening guests to the subtleties, preparations, and benefits of each of the available selections.

9. Soap concierge: Viceroy Riviera Maya

Mexico’s turquoise coastline goes “scentsational” at the Viceroy Riveria Maya, where luxe, over-the-top amenities include everything from a chic spa to a — you guessed it — soap concierge. (Actually, you probably didn’t guess it. But if you did, then kudos to you.) The service is unique to the property, and invites guests to explore a range of Mayan soaps that promise to cleanse, invigorate, moisturize and exfoliate. Scents are both classic and exotic, from peach to lemon, from chocolate to cinnamon. Request a new soap for your room everyday, or stick to your favorite throughout your stay (hello, chocolate?!). All soaps are available to take home as souvenirs.

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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