Graduate Princeton transforms a historic 1918‐era student dormitory into a 180‐key boutique hotel, doubling the total hotel rooms in town

Graduate by Hilton, the global hospitality company's university-anchored hotel brand, announced the opening of Graduate Princeton today. Located on historic Nassau Street in the heart of downtown, directly opposite campus, Graduate Princeton boasts 180 guest rooms and a signature restaurant, Ye Tavern. Paying homage to the town's rich history, architecture, and design, the opening marks the first new hotel to open in Princeton in nearly 90 years—and only the second hotel in its historic downtown, nearly doubling the number of available hotel rooms in town.

"When we started Graduate ten years ago, Princeton was at the top of our list. The history, the heritage, the backdrop, the charm, the sophistication — it's just the idea of what somebody envisions college looks like in America."

Ben Weprin

Founder, Graduate Hotels, and Founder & Chief Executive Officer, AJ Capital Partners

"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."

Graduate Princeton Exterior - Photo Credit: Andrew Frasz

Weprin's firm, AJ Capital Partners, has meticulously restored, modernized, and expanded the 1918-era, Colonial Revival-style former university dormitory in partnership with architecture firm Stonehill Taylor. Today, Graduate Princeton is a contemporary collegiate-inspired hotel with 6,000 square feet of public space, 180 guest rooms, and a signature bar and restaurant – all designed in the brand's characteristic hyper-local, vibrant style.

"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."

Kevin Osterhaus

President, Global Lifestyle Brands, Hilton

"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."  

Graduate Princeton's interior design invites guests to immerse themselves in the local culture, lore, and traditions. Visitors will discover subtle references to the university and the town's 275-year history throughout the hotel's public spaces and guest rooms. Nods to influential alumni, local architecture, and storied traditions synonymous with the Princeton student experience inform every detail of the Graduate Princeton's design.

Graduate Princeton Check-In Desk and Lobby - Photo Credit: Andrew Frasz

Upon entering Graduate Princeton's Gothic-inspired lobby, guests are greeted by a hand-carved wooden reception desk flanked by four wooden statues of the school's beloved mascot, the Tiger. Floor tiles rendered in Princeton's signature orange and black anchor the two-story library-like lobby, lined with thousands of books and a collection of colorfully embroidered vintage Reunions Jackets — a token received by alumni at their 25th Reunion. A 30-foot carved wooden study table, a staple in every Graduate, is reminiscent of the historic libraries on campus and serves as a place for visitors and students to study, gather, and connect. The names of Princeton's storied eating clubs are painted in gold leaf on the library bookcases that frame the space.

Graduate Princeton - Ye Tavern - Photo Credit: Andrew Frasz

On the opposite end of the lobby is Ye Tavern, Graduate Princeton's signature bar and restaurant, named after a storied 1930s-era bar that once occupied the site. Ye Tavern takes design cues from its namesake: an intricately carved wooden bar—recalling the lancet windows found throughout campus—is a focal point of the space. Stone-topped banquets weave through the center of the space, punctuated by leather-top tables. Evoking a sense of nostalgia and tradition, Ye Tavern will serve up pre-prohibition era cocktails, classic American entrees, regional fare, and grab-and-go offerings throughout the day in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

Graduate Princeton - King Guest Room - Photo Credit: Andrew Frasz

In the guest rooms, references to the university's emblematic color palette are carried through, with orange-and-white seersucker drapes complemented by an apricot-hued carpet. Bedside lamps inspired by the Revolutionary War-era cannon buried behind Nassau Hall sit beside a bespoke, custom wood-carved bed frame featuring hand-drawn illustrations referencing the University's annual Cane Spree — Princeton's first organized intramural event dating back to the 1860s. Framed artwork above the desk in every guest room references the storied traditions of the University. Guest bathrooms feature custom wallpaper inspired by the campus' renowned arboretum, paired with a framed sketch by Albert Einstein, a reference to his time working for Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study, and the unparalleled intellectual legacy that followed.

Graduate Princeton is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program with nearly 190 million members for Hilton's 24 world-class brands. The hotel is celebrating its opening with a special promotion, offering up to 1,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points per night for stays at Graduate Princeton from Aug. 1, 2024 through Feb.1, 2025. This offer is valid for reservations made directly through Hilton's booking channels, including Hilton.com and the Hilton Honors app.

Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can't be found anywhere else and free standard Wi-Fi. To join, visit HiltonHonors.com.

For more information on Graduate Princeton and to book your upcoming stay, visit .

Media Contact

Caroline Busch, Camroncaroline.busch@camronglobal.com

Mathilde van Tulder, Camronmathilde.vantulder@camronglobal.com

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,800 properties and more than 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World's Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 195 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

About Graduate by Hilton

Graduate by Hilton is a collection of hand-crafted hotels that reside in dynamic university-anchored towns in the United States and United Kingdom. Each hotel brings stories and traditions to life through one-of-a-kind experiences, which authentically reflect the unique spirit of each community they are located within. Founded in 2014 by Adventurous Journeys ("AJ") Capital Partners and recently acquired by Hilton, Graduate's portfolio consists of 32 open hotels across the US and UK and three under construction. Learn more about Graduate by Hilton at Stories From Hilton and follow the brand on Instagram.

About AJ Capital Partners

Adventurous Journeys ("AJ") Capital Partners is a vertically integrated real estate investment manager founded in 2008. AJ repositions real estate to build timeless, scalable businesses and brand platforms across hospitality, mixed-use, and residential sectors. Notable brands include Graduate Hotels, Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, and Field & Stream Lodge Co. The firm delivers transformative real estate by applying placemaking, inspired design, and hospitality principles to spaces overlooked or undervalued by traditional investment firms. The firm's current portfolio includes $5.3 billion of assets across 100+ properties and 50+ geographic markets. For more information on AJ, please visit .