Hilton adds 34 Graduate hotels to its portfolio

A new lifestyle hotel has officially joined the Hilton Honors family, and it’s all about the collegiate experience—without the stress of exams or awkward roommates.

You can now stay at 34 Graduate hotels with Hilton membership benefits (Source: Graduate by Hilton)

Graduate Hotels, now known as Graduate by Hilton, became part of Hilton Honors this week. Members can now earn and redeem points at Graduate properties, just like they do at any of Hilton's 24 other brands. Graduate, which Hilton acquired earlier this year, is a lifestyle hotel brand located in cities and towns with strong connections to colleges or universities.

“Graduate by Hilton allows guests to immerse themselves in the traditions and culture that make university towns unique,” said Kevin Osterhaus, Hilton’s president of global lifestyle brands, in a statement. “With Graduate now officially part of Hilton’s portfolio, we’re preserving what makes these places special while providing the benefits that come with Hilton Honors. It’s about maintaining that nostalgic feel while improving the overall guest experience.”

Graduate by Hilton Columbia SC (Source: Graduate by Hilton)

There are currently 34 Graduate hotels in the U.S. and U.K., and Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta hinted earlier this year that the brand could expand to as many as 500 properties. The most recent opening is Graduate by Hilton Princeton, with the first Alabama property, Graduate by Hilton Auburn, set to open near Auburn University this month.

Graduate by Hilton Evanston IL (Source: Graduate by Hilton)

While earning Hilton Honors points at Graduate properties is appealing to many, the brand also offers exclusive experiences where guests can bid to redeem points for unique events. For instance, at the new Graduate Auburn, the first offering includes a rooftop party featuring a concert by a "surprise artist" at the hotel’s War Eagle Supper Club on September 27. This VIP college football weekend package also includes a two-night stay at the hotel and two tickets to the sold-out September 28 home game between Auburn and the University of Oklahoma.

Hilton Honors membership benefits when staying at Graduate Hotels (Source: Hilton)

Hilton Honors members can visit the Hilton Honors Experiences platform to bid on this special package. As of Tuesday afternoon, the current bid stood at 420,000 Hilton Honors points, with just over two days left in the auction.