The much-anticipated Virgin Hotels is set to open in various cities starting next year, bringing a whole new level of hospitality to travelers.

Richard Branson's newest venture announced that it will open a New York City location on the northwest corner of 29th Street and Broadway in the NoMad neighborhood. The New York Virgin Hotel is slated to open in 2016 and feature 300 guestrooms, meeting spaces and restaurants and bars.

"We are delighted to enter the New York market and specifically to play a part in continuing the NoMad neighborhood's growth as a dynamic destination," Virgin Hotels CEO Raul Leal said in a release. "Virgin's 60 million global customers can't get enough of New York City, and we hope to welcome them all with our trademark style, humor, innovation, and friendly customer service."

In addition to New York City, Virgin Hotels is also developing properties in Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and London. Virgin is expected to announce plans to open a 200-room property in Dallas, according to local Dallas reports. The first hotel, slated for Chicago, is set to open in the second quarter of 2014.

As for Branson: "At long last, the city that never sleeps will get a beautiful and irresistible Virgin Hotel to play, eat, work, mingle, and yes, even to sleep."

Readers: What would you expect to see at Virgin Hotels?

I'll admit I'm a bit jaded when it comes to hotels. Some would say I'm a "snob", others might call it a "nice life" to be able to stay in luxury hotels around the world. However you view it and whatever you call it, I'm the first one to admit I'm fortunate to have experienced a side of travel journalism that keeps me connected with hotels around the world. It didn't come without hard work, sleepless nights and a perpetual state of jet lag - even when I'm home in Boston - but that's for another time... today is about the moments that capture this journalist's heart, and remind her why she's in that perpetual state of jet lag to begin with.

I'm in Florida right now preparing for the EyeForTravel conference that's taking place this week in Miami. I'm speaking at the event, along with many others in the travel industry, about the state of the market and travel trends in online marketing. I'll be speaking on social media, and how businesses can and should use content as a way to communicate with guests and the media via social media networks (more on that later).

I checked into the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach before the conference, to see family and catch up on some beach time before three days inside conference rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, where the conference is taking place.

If you've stayed at any Ritz-Carlton before, you know it's the service that sets them apart from their competitors. And while it's no secret I've spent many years covering Ritz-Carlton news and events, and following the brand's efforts on social media and expansion in new markets, I'm still always looking for that extraordinary moment to write about. That simple gesture that turned a bad day into a good one for a guest, the late-night cup of tea that is delivered when you're just off a 2 am flight from China, or a quiet conversation with a staff member. Believe it or not, when you cover hotels as frequently as I do, the employees of these hotels become family - the people you look forward to seeing and catching up with when you return. Which is why what came next truly touched me.

When it comes to summer, exercise and vacation do not always go hand in hand. You spent all winter working out at the gym so you could fit into your summer clothes, why would you want to waste precious beach time lifting weights or tracking miles on the treadmill? Good news, body-conscious travels: hotels around the world are introducing new ways to introduce a little fun into guests' fitness routine.

But before you check-in, it's a good idea to keep your mind and body aligned, says Will Coons, a yoga teacher and massage therapist at StillPointWithin in Provincetown, MA.

"It is just as important to keep yourself in alignment, filled with plenty of fluids and avoiding misuse, as it is for your vehicle," said Coons. Coons recommends you always keep moving, even if it's just a few foot taps or leg lifts at your desk.

Meanwhile, consider combining summer travel with some active ideas. Whether it's a biking tour of Portland or bootcamp in the Swiss Alps, these hotels and tour companies have a wellness adventure for every type of traveler this summer:

The St. Regis New York was ranked the most expensive hotel in New York City. Photo credit: St. Regis/Facebook
New York has it all -- theater, restaurants, shopping. It's also one of the most expensive cities in the world. But if you've got the dough to drop, New York can be one of the best playgrounds in the world.

Imagine for a moment you do have a few extra grand to spend -- how would you spend it in New York City? Shopping on 5th Avenue? Dining at five-star restaurants? Private chauffeurs and shoppers? And where would you stay?

NewYorkHotels.org compiled a list of the most expensive luxury hotels in New York City, and calculated the average room rate for the most affordable double room in each hotel from May 2012 to April 2013. The results: The St. Regis tops the list as the most expensive hotel in New York City with an average of $823 a night for the most affordable room.

The hotels that made the list have everything you'd expect -- luxury amenities, stellar service, and fine dining options and in some cases a spa, but are they worth the cost?

With the unofficial start of summer around the corner, it's officially time to start thinking about your summer travel plans. Whether you're a beachcomber or a mountain climber, there's no denying the allure of a dip in a great pool at the end of the hot day. With that in mind, here's a list of 10 of the hottest hotel pools around the world. Where would you like to take a dip?

Grand Wailea, Hawaii

Grand Wailea, Hawaii: The hotel’s 2,000 foot long, 25,700 square foot, 770,00 gallon Wailea Canyon Activity Pool has an aquatic theme park, thanks to its nine pools that are connected by a river that carries swimmers along at varying speeds, from whitewater rapids to lazy currents. Wailea Canyon also has four waterslides, a whitewater rapids slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, the world's first water elevator at the center of a multi-level volcano (you sit on an inner tube that rises and descends with the water level), a sand beach, six waterfalls, caves, three Jacuzzis, an infant pool, and a swim-up bar.

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa: The River Bluff Water Experience offers six acres of heated pools, fountains, waterfalls, rivers, and an abundance of poolside lounges. The highlight is the Pedernales River, a water ride utilizing lower gradients and higher volumes of water to create the feel of a natural river. For a more leisurely experience, the 1,200 foot lazy river carries guests around the grand cabana and pool deck areas.

Oil Nut Bay, Caribbean

Oil Nut Bay, Virgin Gorda: Perched on the rocky southeast cliffs of Oil Nut Bay, The Cliffs rental suites each boast a private outdoor infinity plunge pool that blends seamlessly with the boundless Caribbean Sea. The resort’s Beach Club features three infinity pools complete with a tiled waterfall and grotto flowing off the main, 45,000 gallon pool. All three are plastered with recycled glass beads known as Beadcrete, and all pools on the property have salt generator systems. The resort is accessible by boat or helicopter only.

Healthy eating is a priority for most parents, but how do you keep kids noshing on healthy snacks when on vacation? More hotels are offering healthy food options for kids and families, giving parents a sense of relief when it comes to curbing appetites on-the-go.

JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts just announced its partnership with nationally recognized nutritionist and author Keri Glassman to create a new JW Kids Menu. This kids menu is meant to help kids build healthy eating habits while traveling, said the hotel group.

“With kids’ food choices becoming increasingly diverse, we are looking to create dining options that are fresh, healthy and imaginatively tasty,” said Mitzi Gaskins, vice president & global brand manager for JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts. “These items will not only delight kids from a culinary standpoint, but will also let parents know the JW Marriott brand cares about the well-being of their entire family.”

The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in California will celebrate Earth Hour this Saturday.

This Saturday, Ritz-Carlton hotels, resorts, clubs and residences around the world will shut off the lights for one hour in recognition of Earth Hour. The Earth Hour homage is part of the hotel company's commitment to Community Footprints (, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company’s social and environmental responsibility program.

If you're staying at a Ritz-Carlton on Saturday, prepare to go dark at 8:30pm local time. Some hotels are celebrating with special Earth Hour events, including:

Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa in California just joined Marriott's Autograph Collection

Marriott's Autograph Collection, the portfolio of independent boutique properties, is adding five new hotels to their trendy portfolio.

Startle.com, the website for Forbes Travel Guide, published the news today. The collection will welcome in three new hotels, including two new builds. Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa and Hotel Adagio are the first of the collection in California, and the hip and historic Hotel Blackhawk, located in Davenport, Iowa, also joins the collection. The new builds are Pier South in Imperial Beach and the Triada Palm Springs. With the new additions, the Autograph Collection inches closer to its plans for reaching 50 hotels in the portfolio by year end.

Here's a little more about the hotels:

Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa just completed a $ 26 million dollar renovation. The resort features 162 guest rooms and 11 suites, a spa and full service salon and fitness studio. Fine dining takes place lakeside at BIN189 and there’s a coffee shop, Mountain Aroma, just off the lobby.

Hotel Adagio is located in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square. Each of the 171 rooms and suites are designed in a modern décor, and The Mortimer - the hotel's bar - was voted one of the city's best bars and night spots.

Hotel Blackhawk also just completed a multimillion-dollar renovation, and today includes a new spa and salon, as well as a retro-chic bowling alley, “Blackhawk Bowl”.

Visit Startle.com for more information on the new Autograph Collection hotels.

Marriott International is bringing its moxy to the hotel world. Literally.

A new website from Marriott introduces MOXY HOTELS, the newest 3-star-tier segment for Marriott is focused on the millennial traveler. According to the website, MOXY will be "the potency of style, innovation and tech-savvyness."

Marriott's MOXY will debut in Italy, with the first MOXY HOTEL expected to open in Milan in early 2014. Berlin, London and Frankfurt MOXY HOTELS will follow. According to a press release, Marriott plans to add 150 franchised MOXY HOTELS in Europe over the next 10 years. An article from the International Business Times says Marriott will work with Inter IKEA Group, the parent company of the IKEA furniture stores, IKEA to help develop the hotels and guest rooms. The rooms will be priced around $80 (€60).

What can you expect from MOXY? Marriott says:

If you're a fan of The Bristol Lounge you've likely enjoyed a few Fizzy Friday's in the bar, sipping on Champagne and nibbling on amuse bouche du jour. Now, the Champagne-soaked Fridays are getting kicked up a notch with First Fridays, a new promotion taking place at the Four Seasons Boston.

First Fridays happens on the first Friday of each month, and The Bristol Lounge will turn into a Champagne bar in which the bar's favorite Champagne labels will be on hand to pour bubbly from 5:30-7:00 pm.

First Fridays kicks off on Friday, March 1st with Louis Roederer, who will be pouring Louis Roederer Vintage and Louis Roederer Estate L’Ermitage at The Bristol Lounge. As a guest, you'll enjoy complimentary sips of champagne as well as some gourmet bites.