Hilton Acquires Graduate Hotels Brand for $210 Million

Hilton Hotels has announced that it will acquire the Graduate Hotels brand in the second quarter of 2024.

There’s a ton to cover, so let’s dive right in!

Graduate Hotels Brand Joins Hilton Honors Later This Year

Hilton says it will acquire all rights to Graduate Hotels for $210 million. The brand launched in 2014 and offers amenities like pet-friendly lodging, bike rentals, and more.

They are popular in college towns, such as Athens (University of Georgia), State College, Pennsylvania (Penn State), and Palo Alto (Stanford). However, you’ll also find them in cities that aren’t typical college towns, like New York and Seattle.

Today, you’ll find 35 Graduate Hotels open or in the pipeline across the United States and the United Kingdom.

Hilton said Graduate Hotels will join the Hilton Honors loyalty program “later this year,” allowing guests to earn and redeem points during their stay. However, the exact timing of when the brand will join Hilton wasn’t given.

“Adding Graduate Hotels to our portfolio of award-winning brands accelerates our expansion in the lifestyle space by pairing an existing much-loved brand with the power of Hilton’s strong commercial engine to drive growth,” said Hilton’s president and CEO, Chris Nassetta.

Nassetta went on to say that the market for Graduate Hotels is 400 to 500 hotels worldwide.

About Hilton Hotels

Hilton is one of the most recognizable hotel chains in the world. It has a reputation for quality, whether you’re staying at locations in North America or around the globe. All told, more than 7,500 Hilton hotels are in over 120 countries across 6 continents.

Hilton has 3 elite status tiers: Silver, Gold, and Diamond. As you progress through each tier, you’ll earn more benefits, such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and more. Several co-branded credit cards — which are the best credit cards for Hilton loyalists — include complimentary elite status.

Earning Hilton Honors points is incredibly straightforward. You can earn them via a co-branded credit card, transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards, ride in a Lyft, or eat out with Hilton Honors Dining.

Final Thoughts

This is exciting news for Hilton Honors loyalists who visit college towns for sporting events, move-in days, and more. Graduate Hotels offer a ton of amenities at an affordable price, especially for families. We look forward to seeing this partnership come to fruition!