Graduate Princeton — Hotel Review
Why book?
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, just across the street, 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.
Set the scene
The property stands tall on the corner of Nassau and Chambers, and features 170,000 square feet. Guests are greeted by orange-and-black checkered floor tiles with complimentary old-school wallpaper. A hand-carved, wooden desk awaits at check-in, adorned with four, gigantic tigers on its top. There’s a coffee station here (for a fabulous touch of convenience) and a huge open lounge space reflecting an old, cozy, charming library. Thousands of books are shelved in the walls alongside a set of glass displays, showcasing vintage reunion jackets, a token received by university graduates at their 25th reunion ceremony. Princeton eating clubs, the campus’ private institutions used as dining halls and social houses, are painted in gold leaf inside of the library bookcases to frame the space. On the opposite end of the lobby is Graduate’s signature restaurant, Ye Tavern, coined after a storied bar that occupied the original space in the ‘30s. The space is buzzy; day and night, all walks gather amongst the leather-topped banquettes and stone-top tables. All through the space, various colors and patterns weave seamlessly together, including the loud Princeton orange that somehow works well here.
The backstory
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.
The rooms
This new Graduate prides itself in nearly doubling the number of available hotel rooms in town. And inside, there’s little stories in every corner so that guests can learn a piece of Princeton’s history. For one, the bedside lamps resemble a cannon discovered on the Princeton campus, dating back to the Revolutionary War. The beds are utterly comfortable, and held in custom wood-carved bed frames with hand-drawn illustrations that are almost an inside joke; a reference to the university’s annual Cane Spree, an intramural event that kicked off back in the 1860s and is still a sought-after tradition. The university’s colors are carried throughout the space, even to the chic orange and white striped seersucker curtains that can cover the large windows (perhaps, overlooking an old charming church facade). In each bathroom, there’s custom wallpaper detailed with various types of American trees, inspired by the renowned arboretum on campus. Malin + Goetz products elevate any hotel stay shower experience, as well as a simple, framed sketch by Einstein referencing his time at Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study.
Food & beverage
Ye Tavern, the property’s only food and beverage venue, is located on the Graduate’s large ground floor, is a place to be—even for both those just passing through on their way to their room and non-guests. From the two-seater tables in the windows, to comfortable booths for larger groups and high-top bar seats, there’s plenty of room for guests to fill. In fact, in the week leading up to their hard opening, the place was already flooded with happy faces of all ages. Named after its predecessor tavern, the bar and restaurant was reinvented and is now helmed by the talented Henry Bartman, a self-taught master mixologist. The drink list spotlights unique pre-prohibition cocktails, for example the “cosmic beyond understanding,” a crowd favorite spicier option with a mezcal base, elote liqueur, and fun additions of corn and lime. The restaurant sources local produce, and is open with primarily American dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The neighborhood/area
Traveling to a city like Princeton is nostalgic in and of itself—so feel free to walk around aimlessly and soak it all in. Perhaps, even walk through the campus. But outside of the college, there’s also much to do—and the Graduate’s location is stellar, for whichever you choose. Located on the city’s historic Nassau Street, in the heart of downtown, it’s directly opposite Princeton’s campus, and walkable to Palmer Square—known for boutique shops, art galleries, and heaps of restaurants and bars. All less than 10 minutes away, you’ll find the city’s iconic Record Exchange, the cute non-profit Garden Theatre, and must-try ice cream shop the bent spoon.
The service
I had just a few bags with me when I arrived at the Graduate. Still, upon my entrance, the kindest stranger introduced himself as “Mike”—who I would later learn is general manager Michael Monarca—and welcomed me with a warm smile. Despite being on a phone call, he made sure I didn’t have to lift a finger. When I complimented him on the front-desk service, he said that the hotel staff live by the Grandma Principle in service: to curate a comforting environment—as if you were returning to your grandmother’s house. With this principle, he explains, the our staff is excited to see you— and without even asking, they’ll know what you need and get it to you quickly. This was true for both the concierge service, and with the bar staff and kitchen—who were always checking in on me, then fetching the item of my desire before I could even ask myself.
Eco effort
Each guest room at the Graduate has an occupancy sensor, monitoring guest presence and conserving energy when vacant. With respect to the property’s renovation, retaining the historic façade was sustainable in itself: The team sought to keep as much of the existing building as possible, and to minimize the use of new materials while preserving key elements of the historic 1918-era building.
Accessibility
Graduate Princeton complies with ADA Guidelines. If needed, guests could find their key accessibility features and a list of all available accessibility points on their website. For those traveling with their furry friends, pets are allowed (as they are with all Graduate by Hilton properties) for a $75.00 non-refundable fee per pet; up to two are allowed, at a 75 lbs maximum. Special door pennants for rooms with pets are provided to notify housekeeping, as well as complimentary food and water bowls. A tasty plus for them: takeaway treats are provided at the end of all pet stays.
Anything left to mention?
As the Graduate is new to the city, Monarca made it clear he wants to bring the community in the door, rather than exist as an elevated entity removed; whether it’s a safe space for a college student to drink a house mocktail and stay up late for study hours, or a romantic setting for visiting parents to the Princeton campus. The large and carefully curated lobby and lounge is a place where the shoe fits for all travelers and locals alike. And with much to (annually) celebrate in Princeton, from the Albert Einstein look-alike contests to the walkable music festival known as Porchfest, Monarca plans to pair up with local organizations and events to host even more festivities at the Graduate. Expect to see some live cabaret, student-led a-capella shows, jazz performances, and more.
