Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
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Hotel Details
Brand
Hilton
Location
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln · Lincoln, United States
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Expert Review: Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property
The Graduate by Hilton Lincoln stands out as a charming and highly-rated hotel, earning a "Michelin Key Selected" distinction for its unique blend of local character, contemporary comforts, and excellent service. With an overall guest rating frequently in the "Very Good" to "Exceptional" range (averaging 8.6 on Agoda and 8.4 on Hotels.com, and 7.7 on other platforms), it offers a memorable stay in the heart of Lincoln.
Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Graduate Lincoln is overwhelmingly positive. Guests consistently praise its distinctive style, prime location, and the friendly, attentive nature of its staff. The hotel successfully creates a fun, nostalgic, and boutique experience that resonates well with visitors.
Key Highlights
Guests particularly love the hotel's:
- Design & Ambiance: The hotel's design is a major draw, described as "retro," "70s vintage," "eccentric," and "funky." It's painstakingly tailored to its Lincoln location, incorporating "Nebraskan arcana" and paying tribute to figures like Johnny Carson through its lobby decor. The vibrant lobby often features arcade games, including vintage pinball machines, and communal tables, creating a lively atmosphere.
- Location: Situated in the historic Haymarket District, the hotel boasts an "excellent" and "perfect" location. It's within walking distance of major attractions such as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lied Center for Performing Arts, and a variety of nightlife, restaurants, and bars.
- Amenities: Notable amenities include an indoor swimming pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and complimentary bicycle rentals for exploring the city. The presence of Topgolf Swing Suites in the former John J's Tiki Bar area adds to the entertainment options. It is also a pet-friendly property, offering pet blankets and water bowls upon check-in.
Room Quality
The 231 guestrooms are described as charming, comfortable, and clean, featuring interesting and adorable decor. They are equipped with modern furnishings, plush bedding, air conditioning, free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and often include a refrigerator and microwave. Some rooms offer balconies or stadium views. Guests appreciate boutique comforts such as Malin + Goetz bath products. However, some guests have noted that the bathrooms can be quite small.
Dining Experience
The hotel features the on-site restaurant, Single Barrel, which serves classic American comfort-food dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Known for its slow-smoked Nebraska BBQ and an extensive selection of bourbons and whiskeys, it's a popular spot, especially for Husker fans on game days. An à la carte breakfast is available, with options like steak omelets and country fried steak. Additionally, Poindexter Coffee offers specialty coffee drinks and a cozy atmosphere.
Service & Staff
The staff at Graduate Lincoln consistently receives high praise for being friendly, helpful, and attentive. Guests frequently highlight the excellent service and overall hospitality, making for a welcoming experience.
Location & Accessibility
The hotel's prime location in Lincoln's historic Haymarket District is a significant advantage. It provides easy access to downtown attractions, dining, shopping, and entertainment. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Pinnacle Bank Arena are just a short walk away. For travelers, the hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle and is a five-minute walk from Lincoln Amtrak Station.
Value & Pricing
Graduate Lincoln is generally considered to offer "exceptional value" and "affordable luxury." While the average room price of approximately $185 is higher than the city's average of $138, guests feel the quality amenities and unique experience justify the cost. Room rates can start from around $105.
Common Complaints
Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some recurring issues have been noted by guests:
- Cleanliness: Occasional complaints mention cleanliness issues, such as stains on hallway carpets or dirty bathroom mirrors in some rooms upon arrival.
- Parking Fees: The on-site parking garage, while convenient, comes with an additional charge of approximately $23 per night, which some guests consider high. Some also found the parking garage to be narrow.
- Noise Levels: A few reviews indicate potential issues with noise.
- Small Bathrooms: Some guests found the bathrooms to be on the smaller side.
- Billing Issues: A notable complaint involved a guest being significantly overcharged and facing difficulties in receiving a refund.
Michelin Key Selection
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln's inclusion as a Michelin Key Selected property underscores its commitment to providing a distinctive and high-quality guest experience. The Michelin Guide's selection process involves a 20-point scale based on post-stay ratings from verified guests, emphasizing the hotel's consistent excellence in design, comfort, service, and overall atmosphere. This designation highlights the hotel's success in tailoring its offerings to its unique location and delivering contemporary boutique comforts.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some recurring issues have been noted by guests:
- •Cleanliness: Occasional complaints mention cleanliness issues, such as stains on hallway carpets or dirty bathroom mirrors in some rooms upon arrival.
- •Noise Levels: A few reviews indicate potential issues with noise.
- •Billing Issues: A notable complaint involved a guest being significantly overcharged and facing difficulties in receiving a refund.
Google Reviews
1,558 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Jennifer Tophoj
Beautiful facility. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with smiles from a friendly staff. Any need I had was addressed and met with professionalism and urgency. The location is fantastic, close to great restaurants and nightlife if that’s what you are looking for. Their meeting space is spacious and inviting. I would recommend this property for both business and leisure trips.
Response from the owner
Hello Jennifer, we appreciate you staying with us at Graduate by Hilton Lincoln! We're glad to hear your guest experience exceeded expectations and we thank you for your feedback. We look forward to y...
Leisha
We stopped here on our way traveling through the area. It is fun to stay at a place that isnt cookie cutter like other hotels. The location is great. It's within walking distance to many places to eat and was not far off the interstate. We even had a view of the stadium from our room. The place was clean and the beds were comfortable.
Response from the owner
Hello Leisha, thank you for choosing to stay with us at Graduate Lincoln during your travels. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed our unique atmosphere and convenient location. It's great to know...
Camila Trochez
Very nice hotel! Very clean and cozy. First Hilton hotel that I've been to that doesn’t include breakfast though. We paid for it. $16 a piece. It was not great. Food was cold and stale. And very limited options. No cereal, milk, juice, decaf coffee, and many more things. Save your money, and go somewhere else for breakfast. Unless you have a voucher.
Response from the owner
Hello Camila, thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent stay at Graduate. We're glad to hear that you found the hotel clean. We apologize for the disappointment with the breakfast options ...
Kevin
Woukd NOT classify as a 4 star hotel. Hotel is very old. And the rooms are outdated. There is duct tape holding together the curtains. There was no hot water when tried to shower. They did send maintenence up quickly and offered to switch me rooms but it was already late. In the morning there was still no hot water. When I informed the front desk in morning, she did not apologize, just said it wa...
Response from the owner
Hello Kevin, thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear about the challenges you faced during your stay, especially with the water and room conditions. We're looking into these issues to ensure ...
Mark Poeckes
Excellent hotel in downtown Lincoln. The front desk was very helpful with any questions we had during our stay. The location is perfect for anyone attending concerts, basketball, football or volleyball games. Even if you’re just visiting Lincoln it is nestled right in the Haymarket, so it’s an easy walk to any restaurant or bar. Which there are plenty of those nearby.
Response from the owner
Thank you so much for staying with us, Mark! It was a pleasure having you and we are happy to see your 5 star review. We hope you stay with us at Graduate by Hilton Lincoln next time you're visiting L...
Christina Jordan
We came for one night only. This location was an eight minute walk to our venue. We booked in advance, got a good price. The hotel has an old feel but modern style. We loved the style and decor of our room. The bed is hard but durable. The view is nice. Parking is NOT free. They have a parking garage or street parking that cost. No free breakfast either. We did enjoy the hotel. We would visit agai...
Response from the owner
Hello Christina, we appreciate your review! We strive to deliver a pleasant and comfortable experience for our guests. We understand your concerns regarding the parking, and we will share your review ...
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