Graduate by Hilton New York

It is important to note that Graduate by Hilton New York (Graduate Roosevelt Island) closed permanently in December 2025. This review reflects guest experiences and the hotel's offerings prior to its closure, when it was recognized as a Michelin Key Selected property.

Graduate by Hilton New York (Roosevelt Island) - A Retrospective Review

The Graduate by Hilton New York, located on Roosevelt Island, was a distinctive hotel that aimed to offer a unique New York City experience away from the immediate hustle and bustle of Manhattan. While it is no longer operational, it was recognized as a Michelin Key Selected property, lauded for its views, design, and a quieter alternative for visitors.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Prior to its closure, the Graduate Roosevelt Island generally received positive feedback, with an overall rating of 7.4 on one platform and 8.7 on another, based on thousands of reviews. Guests frequently highlighted its "fabulous" and "excellent" qualities, particularly praising the views and location. However, some experiences with service consistency and dining fell short of expectations for a full-service hotel.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently loved the breathtaking views of the Manhattan and Queens skylines from rooms and especially from the rooftop bar, Panorama Room. The quiet and peaceful location on Roosevelt Island was a significant draw, offering an "oasis from the madness of Manhattan" while still being easily accessible to the city. The hotel's design was often described as "cool" and "well-designed," featuring eclectic elements, including massive bookshelves filled with 250,000 books in the lobby and a 13-foot-tall "Flyboy" sculpture. The Panorama Room rooftop bar itself was a major highlight, known for its "spectacular" views and vibrant atmosphere.

3. Room Quality

Rooms at the Graduate Roosevelt Island were generally described as spacious, comfortable, and clean. Many rooms boasted "amazing" and "unrivaled" views of the Manhattan skyline, including landmarks like the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and One World Trade Center. Amenities included plush king-size beds, efficient air conditioning, and a designated workstation with complimentary Wi-Fi. Some rooms also featured small refrigerators. While bathrooms included Malin + Goetz toiletries, some guests desired more closet space and hooks for longer items. A minor complaint noted the absence of an in-room coffee maker or notepad in some instances.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel featured two main dining options: Anything At All, a lobby-level restaurant, and the Panorama Room, a rooftop bar and lounge. Anything At All offered American dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, focusing on seasonal, local, and sustainable ingredients. Breakfast often received positive remarks for being "very good" with several options, and a $15 food and beverage credit was often included in the daily destination charge. However, some guests reported slow service and unremarkable food at Anything At All, with one instance describing a vegetarian omelet as "too oily" and "house-made hash browns" seeming factory-produced. In contrast, the Panorama Room consistently garnered high praise for its "unexpectedly amazing, extremely high quality" food, particularly for brunch, along with its craft cocktails and breathtaking panoramic views.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service was somewhat mixed but generally leaned positive. Many reviews lauded the staff as friendly, attentive, dedicated, and helpful, with "outstanding customer service" being a recurring compliment. The team at the Panorama Room, in particular, was noted for being attentive and offering quick recommendations. However, some experiences mentioned slow service in the ground-floor restaurant and occasional communication issues, such as a lack of information about bar operating days or an unwillingness to provide complimentary umbrellas.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Graduate by Hilton New York's location on Roosevelt Island was a significant aspect of its appeal. It offered a quiet, safe, and peaceful retreat with stunning views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. Despite being on an island, it was exceptionally well-connected to Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, a scenic four-minute ride, and the F subway train station were both within a short walk of the hotel, providing easy access to Midtown and other key attractions. This multimodal access was frequently praised by guests. Roosevelt Island itself offered waterfront walking trails, parks, and proximity to the Cornell Tech campus. While some found the island location slightly isolated or required a commute for most NYC attractions, many appreciated the trade-off for a quieter stay.

7. Value & Pricing

The hotel was often considered to offer good value for money, especially given the notoriously high hotel prices in New York City. While room rates could be around $449, this was often seen as competitive compared to similar accommodations in Manhattan. The availability of spacious rooms and even suites at relatively affordable prices made it an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers or families seeking more space.

8. Common Complaints

Recurring criticisms included inconsistent food and beverage service outside of the Panorama Room, with some guests experiencing slow service and unremarkable meals at Anything At All. Operational quirks, such as policies regarding borrowing umbrellas (they were sold for $10) and occasional issues with amenity availability (e.g., waiting for to-go coffee cups), were also noted. While the design was generally liked, some found the eclectic elements to be disjointed compared to other Graduate properties. A minor point was the lack of in-room coffee makers or notepads in some rooms.

The Graduate by Hilton New York on Roosevelt Island offered a unique and generally well-regarded experience, particularly for those seeking stunning views, a quieter atmosphere, and good value, despite some inconsistencies in its dining and service. Its closure marks the end of an interesting lodging option for visitors to New York City.

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