TL;DR

Graduate style Boutique hotel from Hilton’s admired Graduate line.
Historic setting 1890s building with elegant renovations.
Yale vibes Glamour of Yale without the work.
Lobby Checkerboard floors, armchairs and rich wood paneling.
Check prices here

Hilton’s ‘Graduate’ hotels, a line of accommodation set in famous uni towns, are universally admired, and this, their boutique hotel in New Haven, keeps up the good work.

A nice balance of chic decor and comfortable furnishings situated in a 1890s hotel, the renovations to the space are award-winning, with good reason.

It’s the glamour of Yale with none of the work, which is just what a vacation in New Haven calls for.

From the outside, it’s a gorgeous pale brick building with contrasting dormers and an elegant mansard roof.

Step through the romantically lit awning, and you’ll find the lobby, sporting a bold checkerboard floor, luxurious armchairs, and rich wood paneling.

It’s not an incredibly unique scheme, but it is exactly what it says it is – a plush, beautiful place of comfort and class.

What are the rooms like?

72 rooms Mix of Queen, Double and King options.
Yale-inspired Blue-and-white décor with vintage touches.
Size Rooms can be small; upgrade to a larger King if you can.
Amenities Desk, blackout curtains, coffee maker and mini fridge.
Bathrooms Black-and-white tiles and patterned showers.
See each room in detail here

Rooms make some pretty charming hints at royalty, with (oh, Yale…) blue-and-white patterns throughout, upholstered headboards, and throw pillows that look like china plates.

The disembodied head silhouettes around the ceiling line feel a bit out of place, but this could be a matter of taste. The vintage prints on some of the walls help tie it in a little bit.

You’ll choose between a Queen bed, two Doubles, a King, or a King with a little extra space, filled with some quite plush seating.

The bigger King is worth springing for if it’s in budget, as rooms do err on the side of small.

Amenities remain basically the same, each room including a working desk, blackout curtains, coffee maker, and mini fridge.

Bathrooms are super cute black and white tile floors and more blue and white patterning inside the glass-doors of the shower.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Pub character Old Heidelberg is a cozy historic pub with games and popcorn.
Casual coffee Poindexter Coffee serves brews, pastries and light lunches.
Service No major hotel facilities but staff service is highly praised.

Your onsite dining can either be a local icon, or a Hilton icon, both well-done for their respective types.

Old Heidelberg is a newly-renovated iteration of one of the oldest bars in the city. It’s an intimate pub with games, free popcorn, and a whole lot of history. They have beers, cocktails, and light plates to order.

If you’re looking for upscale chic, go somewhere else, maybe somewhere above ground, but if you like a little personality with your beer, stay right here.

Your other option is the Graduate line’s flagship café, Poindexter Coffee. You can enjoy a nice brew, pastries, and light lunch options in the sweet, airy hotel lobby.

The hotel, unfortunately, doesn’t have any other facilities, but the service is well-known to be top-notch, and you should feel more than welcome to ask the staff for help with any needs or recommendations.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Historic district Located in the Chapel Street Historical District.
Architecture Blend of 1800s red brick and sympathetic modern buildings.
Cultural mix Galleries, pubs, cafés and Yale landmarks within walking distance.
Transport Buses on George Street and ~15 minute walk to State Street station.

The hotel is tucked in everyone’s favorite Chapel Street Historical District. It is technically Downtown New Haven, but the district’s charming range of historical buildings sets it apart.

The oldest buildings are dated from the early 1800s, but newer ones blend beautifully into the local landscape.

Thoughtful developers relied on the classic red brick and subtle modern touches to add some architectural diversity without transforming the area entirely.

Some of these are Yale’s own buildings, others serve as art galleries, posh pubs or coffee huts, making the neighborhood interesting as well as attractive.

If you want to explore outside the center, it’s not hard to catch a bus on George Street, and it’s a 15-minute walk to the State Street train station.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“Everything I expected from this stay came true and even more. It really has the old charms that you’d expect from a hotel next to the old and honorable Yale Campus. I’d love to go back to New Haven just to stay at this hotel again….”

“This hotel is beyond beautiful!!…”