Graduate by Hilton has recently announced the transformation of a 1918-era student dormitory into Graduate Princeton. The hotel is located directly across from campus and features 180 rooms and its own restaurant, Ye Tavern. Graduate Princeton is the first new hotel to open in Princeton in almost 90 years and only the second hotel downtown.
“When we started Graduate ten years ago, Princeton was at the top of our list,” said Ben Weprin, founder, Graduate Hotels, and founder & chief executive officer, AJ Capital Partners. “The history, the heritage, the backdrop, the charm, the sophistication — it’s just the idea of what somebody envisions college looks like in America.”
Weprin’s firm, AJ Capital Partners, restored, modernized and expanded the Colonial Revival-style space. The project was completed in partnership with architecture firm Stonehill Taylor. Now the former dorm is a contemporary collegiate-inspired hotel. It features 6,000 square feet of public space, 180 guest rooms, a signature bar and restaurant.
“Graduate Princeton provides a welcoming environment for guests to discover the traditions, history and hidden gems that make it one of the most popular university towns in the country,” said Kevin Osterhaus, president, Global Lifestyle Brands, Hilton. “Continuing our reputation for delivering top-tier hospitality, Graduate Princeton is a stellar example of how the brand honors the unique stories of these neighborhoods and celebrates the passion and nostalgia that guests and fans feel when stepping through the doors of our hotels.”
The town’s 275-year history can be seen in subtle references throughout the hotel’s public spaces and guest rooms. Influential alumni, local architecture and Princeton traditions informed each detail of the property’s design. Inside the Graduate Princeton’s Gothic-inspired lobby, guests will see a hand-carved wooden reception desk flanked by four statues of the school’s beloved mascot, the Tiger. The floor tiles are Princeton’s signature orange and black colors. Upon the walls are thousands of books and a collection of vintage Reunions Jackets – a gift alumni receive at their 25th Reunion. Every Graduate property features a 30-foot carved wooden study table and Graduate Princeton is no exception.
At the opposite end of the lobby is the property’s signature bar and restaurant, Ye Tavern. Its name comes from a storied 1930s-era bar that once inhabited the space. Ye Tavern’s design includes an intricately carved wooden bar, stone-topped banquets and leather-top tables. Ye Tavern serves up pre-prohibition era cocktails, classic American entrees, regional fare and grab-and-go options in a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere.
The guest rooms feature orange-and-white seersucker drapes and apricot-hued carpet. Custom wood-carved bed frames feature hand-drawn illustrations referencing Princeton’s Cane Spree, an intramural event that dates back to the 1860s. The artwork in each guest room pays homage to the University’s traditions. In the guest bathrooms, custom wallpaper inspired by the campus’ renowned arboretum provides the perfect backdrop for a framed sketch of Albert Einstein, who spent time working for Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study.
Graduate Princeton is part of Hilton Honors. Hilton Honors members receive instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to use points and money to book their stays. To celebrate the grand opening of the Graduate Princeton, Hilton Honors members will receive up to 1,000 Bonus Points per night for their stays at the hotel through February 1, 2025. This offer is valid for reservations made directly through Hilton’s booking channels, including Hilton.com and the Hilton Honors app.
For more information on Graduate Princeton, visit www.hilton.com/en/hotels/pctgpgu-graduate-princeton/.