Auburn’s newest hotel, the Graduate Auburn, recently opened, featuring 177 rooms across five floors and two dining options. Located at the corner of Wright Street and West Magnolia Avenue, the hotel occupies a prime spot in downtown Auburn, just half a mile from Jordan-Hare Stadium.
When guests first enter the hotel, they are immediately immersed in Auburn spirit, with orange and blue accents intertwined throughout the space. The hotel's design combines Auburn's history and traditions with a creative interior through art, furniture and decor, which offers visitors a deep connection to Auburn's heritage and legacy.
Graduate by Hilton opens hotels in college towns across the United States and has two located in the United Kingdom. The Graduate Auburn is the 35th hotel to open in the country.
In March 2024, Hilton announced its plan to buy Graduate Hotels from the company Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners. The buyout cost Hilton $210 million and is the first brand acquisition for Hilton in more than two decades.
“The whole story behind Graduate Hotels is really providing a unique guest experience in hotel stay for alumni, parents and anyone coming back to their college town to really experience that college nostalgia — those traditions that they remember from being a student there or celebrating new traditions with their students, and we are always within walking distance to campus,” said Abby Barro, director of Events and Programming for Graduate Hotels.
The lobby showcases a variety of Auburn decor. A standout feature behind the front desk is a statement art piece representing the iconic eagle flight that takes place before Auburn home football games. The lobby also showcases custom chandeliers adorned with footballs, baseballs, bats and gloves, highlighting Auburn’s athletic pride.
In the lobby, guests can visit Bo Jackson’s Beans, a coffee shop named in honor of legendary former Auburn athlete, Heisman Trophy winner and sports icon Bo Jackson. The coffee shop features chairs with Jackson’s Auburn jersey number on the back and a hand-carved wooden statue of the athlete himself.
The War Eagle Supper Club is a full-service rooftop bar and restaurant that revives the name of the beloved venue that closed in 2015. Guests can enjoy food, drinks and a stunning view of the university. There’s also an “Eagle’s Nest” in the corner, offering a fun photo opportunity.
Each guest room is designed with Auburn-themed decor, including upholstered headboards featuring an image of one of Toomer’s Corner’s famous oak trees, golden eagle sconces and a War Eagle pennant. In the bathroom, custom wallpaper covers the walls featuring hand-drawn illustrations of local icons, such as Toomer’s lemonade, oak trees and camellias, Alabama's state flower.
Special amenities include a fitness center, pet-friendly rooms and entertainment space. The Graduate Auburn offers the Magnolia Ballroom, which allows people to rent to hold events.
Barro shared that the Graduate Auburn, which was built from the ground up, has been years in the making.
“It's a hotel that you wouldn't find anywhere except for in Auburn. That's really the goal of our design for all of our hotels, is to really give you that sense of place and make all of our guests feel like they're walking in the door of a totally different hotel,” Barro said.
The grand opening for the Graduate Auburn will take place on the evening of Friday, Sept. 27, on the rooftop.
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