A Review of Graduate Princeton
Condé Nast Traveler
By Jessica Chapel
The first new hotel in Princeton in nearly 90 years is an outpost of Graduate by Hilton. The collegiate-inspired brand aims to inspire school spirit with subtle references: a framed sketch by scientist Albert Einstein (who presented his theory of relativity here) and hand-carved wooden tigers, speak to the prestigious Princeton University, as well as the city’s 275 year history.
A stay here taps into a certain nostalgia, too—one you might have experienced when visiting college campuses around the country. Even if this is your first time visiting the city, or if you have zero ties to the university itself, you might feel inspired by the Gothic-inspired lobby or the swanky, reimagined cocktail bar; this Graduate is a mirror of Princeton itself. Its very essence bridges the city’s people and heritage, all while looking damn good. There are not many hotels in major university cities that pull off a school spirit that doesn’t feel cheesy.
Princeton has been on Graduate’s radar as an ideal location since the brand was founded 10 years ago. Their two-and-a-half-year renovation has now bridged two buildings together—one of which was built back in 1918 and used as a former Princeton dormitory, the other a new building developed to replicate the historical look of its predecessor. The Colonial Revival-style building has been meticulously preserved, restored, and modernized. The Stonehill Taylor architects were sure to align all of the bricks to match the original building—reminiscent of the history and attention to detail that Princeton prides itself on. As the original building has always been used by retailers as storefronts on a popular street, the Graduate team worked with the community to keep them open during the renovation.
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