Graduate by Hilton Princeton

The location and lobby ambiance are not worth the expense of this hotel. On our first day, the fire alarm went off with no word from the hotel staff whether it was an actual emergency or not. Everyone working at the hotel just kept on about their business like everything despite the loud alarm sound was completely normal. The room was poorly lit and extremely dark, there was a thin layer of dust on everything, we could hear the conversation of the couple in the room next door as clear as if they were standing in our room, we had to ask several times for fresh towels, parking is cheaper in the public lot than on site and there is no way to reach the front desk, housekeeping or restaurant from the rotary phone in the room. The restaurant is really just some big booths and some tiny tables for two in the bar area in the lobby with a very limited, mediocre bar food menu. We were told by the hostess the second day of our stay that we couldn’t make reservations for two as the tables for two cannot be reserved. Worse yet, when we called the hotel later that day from our cell phone to ask the latest time we could dine, we were told the kitchen closed at 10:30 p.m. and bar at 11 p.m. Much to our surprise, when we arrived at the restaurant at 9:20 p.m. we were told by a rude waitress that the kitchen closed at 9 and we couldn’t be seated. When we told the manager that we were told the kitchen closed at 10:30 he replied that we didn’t speak to the hotel directly, it was the answering service we had reached. What kind of hotel doesn’t have a line to the front desk? Or does the front desk transfer its line to an answering service?

This is a new hotel literally across the street from Princeton University. It is beautiful. The decor is all things Princeton in a classic sense. The rooms are nicely done with quality fixtures and linens. The hotel staff were super friendly. Many people stay at the Nassau Inn (which is just around the corner) but this is infinitely better and less expensive. You will not get this quality (amenities or staff) at the Nassau Inn. I speak from experience. The only challenge is the parking. They do have onsite valet ($38 per day) but the deck they are parking in is amazingly tight. Another guest who valet parked was assessing the damage caused to her back bumper when they drove it out. It does concern me and not sure how practical their deck will be long term if it continues to damage vehicles. There is another self park deck across the street but it’s $30 per day and it charges with each in and out. The valet staff are nice but again people expect their vehicles to arrive back to them in the same condition they left it. There is a nice restaurant and bar on site. We didn’t try it but may at some point. I will definitely be staying again. Great hotel! Well done Graduate!