Graduate by Hilton State College Review: Top Happy Valley Hotel
The Graduate by Hilton State College is a unique hotel that’s one of the best places to stay in Happy Valley, PA. Learn more about staying here in my Graduate State College review.
Graduate hotels are all located near college campuses and are themed with alma mater pride. So if you’re a Pennsylvania State University fan, you’re going to feel right at home at the Graduate State College! And if this is your first visit to Happy Valley, like it was mine, then you’ll love being immersed in the local history and traditions of State College.
We enjoyed our stay at the Graduate by Hilton State College, and I highly recommend it for your Happy Valley vacation! Read on for my full review of the Graduate State College.
A special thanks to the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau for sponsoring our trip! As always, all opinions are my own.
Graduate by Hilton State College Review
The Graduate by Hilton State College opened up in the old Atherton Hotel in 2019. The hotel blends the old and the new, both of the former hotel and of State College itself.
The hotel’s vibes are chic and studious, nostalgic with modern flare. The decor is all inspired by Central Pennsylvania. The two grand salons in the lobby preserve two chandeliers from the days of the Atherton Hotel, the concierge desk resembles a blanket chest, there are football and Nittany lion motifs throughout the hotel, and the restaurant was named The Trophy Room.
With its attention to local detail, fitness center, on-site restaurant, and close proximity to Penn State, the Graduate State College is the perfect place to stay in Happy Valley, PA.
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The Rooms
The Graduate State College has 150 guestrooms ranging from twin beds to queen beds to king beds to suites.
We stayed in a Graduate King room. These cozy rooms are like upscale private school bedrooms. They have a plush king bed, a writing desk, a lounge chair, and a TV.
The color scheme is blue and white, a nod to Penn State colors. The curtains are a blue plaid, while a pink plaid drapes across the foot of the bed. The headboard has footballs carved into the wood. Across the bed lays a “We Are” pillow, an homage to Penn State’s iconic phrase. The lamp is a football player, and some rooms have a Nittany lion statue.
The bathroom is covered in an ice cream wallpaper, referencing Penn State’s historic Berkey Creamery. Our room had a large combination shower/tub and the bathroom was plenty roomy. I always love the scents of Hilton’s toiletries.
The rooms also include a mini fridge concealed in the dresser, a coffee maker, air conditioning, and blackout curtains (that work fairly well to my standards of liking complete and total darkness).
One of the really cute aspects of the hotel that I love is their room keys. These are made to look like student IDs of former Penn State students. Our room keys were of actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key (how appropriate for a key!) and businesswoman Betty James who co-created the Slinky.
The Amenities
The Graduate by Hilton State College has amenities like a 24-hour fitness center, free Wi-Fi, a free bottle of water, pet-friendly rooms, connecting rooms, and EV charging stations in the parking garage.
They have self-parking on-site at an additional fee. The parking garage is located beneath the building, so all the spots are covered.
The Restaurant
Trophy Room is the on-site dining option at the Graduate State College. Trophy Room serves breakfast, dinner, and late-night bites.
The restaurant serves classic American dishes with a modern spin. Their playful menu reflects regional flavors and local influences. Look for items like the Roaring Reuben and Mount Nittany Quesadilla, and cocktails like the Ms. State College and Pennsylvania Mule.
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Benefits of Staying at the Graduate State College
The Graduate by Hilton State College is the perfect place to stay in Happy Valley!
This hotel has an amazing location just one block from Penn State University. You can easily walk to Old Main or the HUB-Robeson Center, and you’re right in the midst of all the great restaurants in Downtown State College.
If you’re looking for a good home base for exploring Happy Valley, you really can’t go wrong with the Graduate. State College is at the heart of Happy Valley, so you’re within an easy drive of Bellefonte, Tussey Mountain, Penn’s Cave, and more top sites in Happy Valley.
The Graduate offers a classic boutique hotel experience with a whole lot of unique local touches that really integrate you into the history of Central Pennsylvania.
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What I didn’t love
While we enjoyed our stay at the Graduate State College, there are a few potential drawbacks I wanted to mention.
The price is high for how few amenities you get. I’m sure its proximity to Penn State contributes to the price, but there are other hotels with similar amenities near Penn State that are typically priced lower.
The parking garage was also pretty tight. I loved that it was all covered, but the parking spaces were a tight squeeze even with a smaller car.
Good to Know
- Free Wi-Fi
- Paid parking in a covered parking garage
- Walkable to Penn State
My Experience at the Graduate by Hilton State College
Overall, we had a wonderful stay at the Graduate by Hilton State College!
I loved the location of the hotel. It was so easy to walk to all the great restaurants in State College and it was great being right by Penn State. And we were just a short drive from all the winter fun we had in Happy Valley like skiing at Tussey Mountain and outdoor ice skating in Bellefonte.
We enjoyed having a cozy room to come back to during our winter vacation to Happy Valley. The Graduate was a warm and welcoming place to rest between adventures.
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Who Should Stay at the Graduate State College?
The Graduate State College is perfect for families visiting students at Penn State, or alums back for a weekend on campus. You can definitely expect this hotel to get booked up quick during a Penn State home game!
The hotel definitely feels like a place for those who have already graduated, so if you’re a broke college kid visiting for the weekend, you might be better off crashing on someone’s couch.
If you’re looking for a stay that really immerses you in the feel of Happy Valley, then you’ll definitely like staying at the Graduate State College.
Graduate by Hilton State College FAQ
What is Graduate by Hilton?
Graduate by Hilton hotels are hotels with original designs inspired by the universities they’re located near. Graduate hotels are located at college campuses across the US, and they’re filled with school pride, traditions, and local charm.
Does the Graduate State College offer breakfast?
Yes, the Graduate by Hilton State College offers breakfast daily at Trophy Room for an additional fee.
Does the Graduate State College have a restaurant?
Yes, the Graduate by Hilton State College has an on-site restaurant called Trophy Room that serves breakfast and dinner. Their menu consists of classic American comfort foods.
Where to Stay in Happy Valley
- Where We Stayed: The Graduate State College
- Top Hotel: The Nittany Lion Inn
- Great Value: The We Are Inn
- Unique Stay: Reynolds Mansion Bed & Breakfast
More Travel Tips
Ready to visit Happy Valley, PA? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find accommodation: Find the best hotels in Happy Valley using Booking.com.
- Pack for your vacation: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need by checking out my packing list resources.
Cheers!
Paige
Would you stay at the Graduate by Hilton State College? Let me know if you found this review of the Graduate State College helpful!
