Graduate by Hilton Princeton

This is a hotel that has lots of unrealized potential. I really wanted to like it, but I was disappointed. However, several of the things that were disappointing can be rectified by the management. First, the pros - - great location, efficient valet, help with the luggage. The lobby is beautiful. We had breakfast at the hotel 3 times and it was always delicious and service was very good (thank you Juan). The towels were great, the beds comfortable and the bathroom products first class. Now, the problems with the hotel. First, the rooms are tiny and dark. They have a WOW factor, but the interior designer seems to have ignored function. We booked a 2 queen bed room because it was larger than a king bed room. But, the room was simply too small for 2 queen beds. One of the beds should be removed. The room would be much more comfortable with only one bed. Then, perhaps, a chair could be added to the room. And, at least one piece of furniture that is in the room is useless. The nightstand between the 2 beds is bulky but has no storage space. Neither the drawer not the cabinet section open! Second, something has to be done about the closet in the room. The closet does not have a door! Rather it is covered with a curtain! So, it doesn't to have a light and it is very dark. But, the worst part of it is that more than half the floor space of the closet is taken up by a refrigerator that has a safe on top of it. So, no place to put winter boots or 2 pairs of shoes! And, you better bring clothes with you that are very short so that they do not rest on the safe. Moreover, there does not seem to be any reason to have the refrigerator in the room. It is not a mini bar and had only 2 cans of water in it. If the management wants to leave water for the guests, put it on the desk or night stand like other hotels (the Ritz Carlton for example).. Also, there are several amenities that are missing from the room. No luggage rack (probably because it would not fit in the closet), no robes, no slippers and no coffee machine (like a Keurig). Instead of a coffee machine there is an electric kettle for heating water and packets of instant coffee. Even The Residence Inn does not have instant coffee in the rooms! Lastly, I would make one other suggestion. The hotel should consider taking some of the connecting rooms and turning them into suites. The double queen bedroom could stay as it is and the connecting room could be a sitting room. Then, it would not matter that he bedroom is so small. I would like to stay at this hotel again. Hopefully next time that I look at the hotel website, it will indicate that some of these changes have been made.

I had the most magnificent time at the Graduate in Princeton New Jersey where I spent 8 nights while I was in town for both my father’s birthday and Christmas! And I always enjoyed the smile and kindness of Brayan who works at the front desk and made everyone feel like family!! The hotel is cozy and charming and delightfully atmospheric. What an absolute pleasure! Oh and I adored the gym and the delicious cafe!