Graduate Hotels
The year 2014 marked the beginning of a new chapter for hospitality in college towns. Ben Weprin, a Nashville-based real estate investor, partnered with his firm AJ Capital Partners to create Graduate Hotels. Their first property opened its doors in Athens, Georgia that same year. This location sat directly across from the University of Georgia campus. The strategy involved buying existing hotels and transforming them into modern spaces tailored for students and alumni.
March 2024 brought a major shift when Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. agreed to purchase the Graduate Hotels brand. The deal did not include the physical buildings themselves. Instead, AJ Capital Partners retained ownership of all existing properties under long-term franchise agreements with Hilton. This structure allowed the original owners to keep their assets while gaining access to Hilton's global distribution system. The move signaled confidence in the brand's future growth potential.
By 2025, Graduate Hotels had established locations in cities like Austin, Texas and Princeton, New Jersey. These openings targeted universities such as the University of Texas and Princeton University respectively. The chain now operates thirty-three hotels within the United States alone. Each property sits adjacent to a major academic institution, creating a consistent pattern across the country. From Ann Arbor to State College, the brand has embedded itself into the fabric of American higher education towns.
The expansion beyond U.S. borders began in 2021 with entries into England. Two new locations opened that year: one in Cambridge near the University of Cambridge and another in Oxford next to the University of Oxford. These sites marked the first international presence for the brand since its founding. The choice of these historic university towns mirrored the domestic strategy of placing hotels directly on or near campus grounds. This move demonstrated an intent to replicate the successful formula abroad.
Many Graduate Hotels occupy buildings with deep historical roots. The Graduate Providence location originally opened in 1922 as the Providence Biltmore before becoming part of the chain. The company acquires these older structures and remodels them into modern hospitality spaces while preserving their architectural character. Former properties like the Roosevelt Island hotel in New York closed in 2025 after operating from 2021. Future openings include locations in Boulder and Syracuse set to open in 2026 and 2027 respectively.
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Common questions
Who founded Graduate Hotels and when did the first location open?
Ben Weprin founded Graduate Hotels in 2014 through his firm AJ Capital Partners. The first property opened its doors in Athens, Georgia that same year.
What happened to Graduate Hotels in March 2024 regarding ownership?
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. agreed to purchase the Graduate Hotels brand in March 2024. AJ Capital Partners retained ownership of all existing properties under long-term franchise agreements with Hilton.
How many Graduate Hotels operate within the United States by 2025?
The chain operates thirty-three hotels within the United States alone by 2025. Each property sits adjacent to a major academic institution across cities like Austin, Texas and Princeton, New Jersey.
When did Graduate Hotels expand internationally and where were the first locations?
The expansion beyond U.S. borders began in 2021 with entries into England. Two new locations opened that year: one in Cambridge near the University of Cambridge and another in Oxford next to the University of Oxford.
Which historic building houses the Graduate Providence location and what is its history?
The Graduate Providence location originally opened in 1922 as the Providence Biltmore before becoming part of the chain. The company acquires these older structures and remodels them into modern hospitality spaces while preserving their architectural character.