Right at your feet, before you push open the glass doors to the lobby of the Graduate Hotel, the carpet reads “We are all students” — a unique label that unifies all the guests that enter its grand walls. The Graduate Hotel offers an inclusive and luxurious environment, whether you are a visiting alumnus doing a walk down memory lane, a curious tourist interested in the town and University history, or, in my case, a curious student looking for a new study spot. Located within the walls of this far-flung establishment lies a cozy space with an ambiance perfect for completing those last-minute assignments.
While it might seem intimidating to enter as a student with no reserved room, I’d argue that their choice of a welcome mat gives you plenty of assurance that you’re in the right place.
In the morning, the lobby is filled with soft lighting as the coffee bar pours its round of simple caffeinated drinks. After ordering a classic vanilla iced latte, the staff offered to bring the drink to my workspace — ideal if I had chosen to work at one of their tables next to the coffee bar. With many options varying from couches to isolated desks, my personal favorite among the array of seating was the long wooden table taking up space in the center of the furniture flow. Beyond its useful built-in charging station that includes every possible charging port, the chairs’ plush cushions are perfect for the most studious Princeton students. With warmth on my back and the R&B music playing overhead putting me at ease, the promised delivery of my drink was the cherry on top.
The lobby area filled with Princeton-themed decor and interior design.
Calvin Grover / The Daily Princetonian
The coffee came as a simple drink with no added embellishments served in a 100 percent compostable cup; it tasted as it looked: simple but effective. A well-made balance of coffee and effortless flavors, it satisfied my tastes as I settled into my work. While I enjoyed my drink, the barista engaged in a friendly conversation. We bonded over notebook brands, reinforcing the welcoming environment. The staff and baristas working at the coffee bar, in particular, were extremely friendly.
Additionally, as they explained little details to interested guests, I witnessed their familiarity with the University’s history and ties to the Graduate. For example, there used to be a University Shield on the desk I was sitting at, but later down the line, it was removed for unknown reasons.
During the day, the lobby was active and bustling with work as guests checked in and out. At night, the coffee bar and restaurant were quiet. If you’re not there to share a drink or enjoy a meal, the cozy hall to the right serves as a comforting working spot for patrons wanting to take in the richest parts of the Princeton brand. Stacked bookcases lined with aesthetic antique books separate the space from your usual hotel lobby. Upon closer inspection, the bookcases are lined with classic literary texts such as Harvard Editions of the Odyssey. When asked about whether these copies were available to be used by patrons, the man at the front desk informed me the volumes were, in fact, allowed to be touched as long as they were put back. However, his vaguely sarcastic tone, coupled with his playful smile, made me hesitant to look into the pages.
The coffee bar in the lobby of the Graduate Hotel.
Calvin Grover / The Daily Princetonian
Beyond the books, display cases of eating club blazers going as far back as the 1920s are neatly displayed side by side on the bottom row of every other bookshelf. The blazers are accompanied by the logo of each respective club. It reminded me of a hidden, historic library that would be buried further on the main campus. It put me at a comfortable ease as I explored more of the lobby as a student, not as a guest. Looking away from the stacked shelves, a handful of students and guests found themselves comfortable on the deep brown leather couches and refined upholstered chairs. I took a seat at a lone dark oak desk lit by a small lamp; the warm, ambient lamps fill the dimly lit space with a soft assurance.
As I took in every detail, I observed both clear and subtle connections to the University’s history. Aside from the eating club blazers, there are subtle tiger motifs scattered throughout both the library and bar sections of the lobby. The most obvious are four unique wooden tigers acting as distinct pillars on the corners of the coffee bar. They are featured behind the lobby desk used for check-in. Other subtleties hinting at Princeton include the use of orange, black, and white in both the carpet and curtain fabrics. The use of layers for their carpet and a wide range of curtain textures fill the large volume the space offers, letting the cozy vibes speak for themselves. Given the grandness of the design, it doesn’t feel busy or overwhelming as smaller spaces would struggle to balance.
Overall, the Graduate Hotel offers students a luxurious study spot, especially for those looking for a new change of scenery. With simple coffee contrasting sophisticated taste in decor, the lobby and coffee bar of the hotel makes a welcoming addition to the streets of Nassau.
Amanda Hugas is a member of the Class of 2027 and a contributing writer for The Prospect. She can be reached by email at ah0942[at]princeton.edu.
Please send corrections to corrections@dailyprincetonian.com.
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