Graduate by Hilton Richmond

Hotel · Two Hundred Block West Franklin

Graduate by Hilton Richmond

Hotel · Two Hundred Block West Franklin
301 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220

Photos

Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null
Graduate by Hilton Richmond by null

Highlights

Hip hotel with mid-century modern decor & rooftop pool  

Placeholder
Placeholder

301 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220 Get directions

hilton.com
@gradrichmond

$$

Information

Static Map

301 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220 Get directions

+1 804 644 9871
hilton.com
@gradrichmond
𝕏
@graduatehotels

$$

Features

wifi
Tap to pay

Last updated

Aug 11, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.

Jill Gagnon

Google
I will start by saying that everyone we interacted with that worked at this hotel was so nice. However, that was the only positive of our stay. We were there for two nights for a concert in town and there was a sports team there too (a travel soccer team maybe?). The hotel very clearly did not plan for the influx of people that they were getting. we were told they were sold out for the nights before our stay as well and couldn't guarantee a 4pm check-in. The lobby was full of people waiting to check into their hotel. No point in checking-in early on the app, that didn't help. It also appeared that they were changing out all of the mattresses of the rooms too? one elevator wasn't working, and one was being used by maintenance so you had 1.5 small elevators for the entire hotel. Lots of construction- lots of noise. Our room didn't feel overly clean either. We had a king bed with only 2 pillows. I attempted to get one extra pillow seven times and it never came. cafe/bar was closed every time I went by it as well. overall, it did the job- to have somewhere to sleep & shower, but I wouldn't recommend this stay until they've ironed everything out.

sfG7305OY

Google
Kerolos and Brian were amazing valet. Hotel was clean boutique style. Great location. Rooftop|Was very nice with a beautiful view of the city. The bartenders were friendly and fast. Hotel staff were efficient and accommodating. I will be visiting again soon.

QueenCity Diva

Google
We chose The Graduate over Quirk in VA and I’m so glad we did (no disrespect to Quirk) We recently (6/11-13/25) visited VA for a small conference, and stayed at The Graduate for the weekend. We had a wonderful stay. We had a spacious corner room on the 11th floor. The bed slept well and the shower pressure was just right. The front desk staff was pleasant and efficient. The bartenders were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, and the random staff members that we met throughout our stay were enthusiastic and enjoyable. One employee that we’d like to mention is Trent, I think she’s in the kitchen, although we met her while we were parking (on the street) she gave us a quick run down of the area, and invited us to the rooftop. Wow! The view was amazing and the food was delicious!! *One observation/suggestion…park on the street, or speak to the owner at the green convenience store across the street about parking. It’s cheaper and way more convenient. We had one unwelcome interaction and that was with Xavier, he works with the valets. Mind you we never used this service so there was really no reason for us to interact with Xavier. For some reason he felt he should be able to “relax” same as the guests, or no one should be able to “relax”. We explained to the young man that he was working and we were vacationing but he couldn’t be moved so we pulled in management. Things were resolved but we didn’t appreciate having the interaction in the first place. He may need to be reminded of his duties and work expectations. Other than that one incident our stay was wonderful and we plan to return very soon.

Sandra Builes

Google
My experience at The Graduate in Richmond, Virginia, was exceptionally disappointing. My primary reason for choosing this hotel was the advertised rooftop pool, which I discovered was completely drained and clearly hadn't been in use for a long time—a clear case of false advertising that was very frustrating. Beyond that, the shower in my room had no water pressure, making it impossible to take a shower, and despite calling the front desk multiple times to switch rooms or get it fixed, no one ever came to assist me, leading to a sleepless night. To compound these issues, the customer service was consistently poor, with every interaction feeling like an imposition on the staff. Given these significant problems with no amenities and the overall lack of helpfulness, I strongly believe this hotel is not worth the price or the hassle and would advise anyone to avoid it.

Paige Taylor

Google
Hi Alfredo, You gave us a no reply email so anyway… My sister booked the hotel for us as we were traveling from out of town and unsure of where to stay. Upon arrival the valet approached me and barked “Name!” Then sighed and barked “Spell it!”, took the keys, explained we have to use the valet website and ended the interaction. That was not the best way to be approached, but working with the public I understand that’s we all have tough days. The person at the front desk that evening was very kind and assisted us in checking in (the reservation was under my sister’s name and had to be verified), he was very accommodating as we waited. My mother then inquired about the pool. We were informed it was not in use, neither were the bars. Our room was fine, the headboards were very poorly maintained. It appeared that after being wiped the varnish had come off and someone attempted to fix the appearance. They did not do a great job. It looked sloppy and worn. The AC was very touchy and the temperature kept rising and dropping, alternating blowing frigid and hot air. The shower didn’t drain properly and water pooled at our ankles. All of this would have been a minor inconvenience, we were disappointed with our stay, thought it was grossly overpriced for not having offered anything listed on the website but what frustrated me the most is when I had to pay $38 to retrieve my car in the morning. You offer a pool, which is not accessible, you offer bars which have no service, your beds look sloppy, your bathroom doesn’t function properly and you make a deal with a valet company and fail to disclose that it’s not included it in the hotel charge. To spend nearly $300 for a disappointing room and less than a 24 hour stay is ridiculous. I don’t want to be refunded, I definitely don’t want a free stay, I just will never come back and will discourage others from wasting their money. -Paige

Angela Maio

Google
I had booked three rooms for our family for this past weekend. My daughter arrived before me and was told that our reservation was canceled because they were overbooked. Apparently they have construction or renovations going on and the booking engine did not account for this .I had called them the day before to check that they had the proper credit card on file and they were aware of the problem Then but did not tell me. So much aggravation could've been avoided.. Staff member Then told me they were going to walk our reservation to the Marriott, but they could not guarantee that the Marriott would honor the same rate. Turns out they wouldn't.. The entire process of moving our reservation, took 3 or 4 hours, which was excessive. Eventually, they found us rooms for the same rate at the Linden Row Inn., which by the way was excellent. However, they could not finalize the transfer of the reservation because the manager would not be in for several more hours. I would think if you have to move 18 room reservations you would find a way to get hold of the manager and he should be available ASAP. This was all handled very poorly. I would not recommend this hotel. We did have another family member whose reservation did not get bumped and they were not happy with their stay largely because of a lack of cleanliness and a bad odor in their room.

emilytK8522RF

Google
We were doing a multi city road trip through the southeast and decided to treat ourselves to a stay at The Graduate Hotel when in Richmond. We had always heard such great things about this line of hotels and never had an opportunity to stay at one. Unfortunately we regretted it the moment we tried to pull into the drive. They clearly are understaffed on a Friday night that has multiple sports teams staying here. Also, there were only two elevators working. When we finally got to the room, we discovered there was no hot water and very little water pressure, apparently due to the installation of a new hot water pump earlier in the day. Apparently it is taking longer to get it up and running to the other floors. It is 9:45pm on a Friday night with a full hotel of multiple sports teams and guests, so not sure why this update needed to be done on a Friday and why it is is still having problems this late at night. I understand that this was not planned problem, I recognize that no employee is specifically at fault, and that this is just a snapshot of time. However, it is extremely poor planning that makes a big impact on guest experiences. This is a horrible first impression of a Graduate Hotel, a poor use of our money, and a crummy way to travel.

D4430LYwilld

Google
TL;DR - Charged twice for room and was unable to get a hold of the manager for 3 weeks for a refund.|When I stayed at Graduate, only one elevator was working, and the rooftop bar had no food after telling us that they did in fact serve food. There is no where good to eat nearby.|The only offered parking option was a $40 valet, which took 15-20 minutes to return the car.|We decided to return to our room, when the last elevator stopped working. We took the stairs and were deposited into a work zone in order to find the supposedly working elevator. We eventually made it back to our room.|On top of all of this, I was charged twice for the hotel room. I asked them about it at the front desk that evening, and they said it was accidental and would have it refunded to me. I double checked at the front desk in the morning and I was assured I would be refunded.|A few days later, I still had no refund, so I called the hotel and was told that the refund would take up to 7 business days.|I waited until it had been 7 business days, and called again and was told that my refund had never been processed, and that they could not help because the manager was not there. They took my information down and said it would be passed along to the manger.|Days later, still nothing, I call again and hear the same thing. I ask to speak with the manager, they aren't there. They tell me the manager will be in tomorrow, but they will take my information and the manager will process the refund.|I call at that time the next day, the manager is assisting another customer. I am put on hold for 15 minutes before being hung up on without talking to the manager. I try to call back and cannot even get through to the front desk.|I call again a few days later, and I am told the manager will be in in an hour, and that she will take down my information and he will call me first thing when he arrives; believe it or not, I receive no call.|I call again today ( ridiculous at this point, I should've just called my CC company) and I am told that they cannot do anything but will take down my information for the manager AGAIN. At this point the manager should have my information memorized. She says he will call me at noon.|Noon comes and goes and I hear nothing, so I call and I am told that I will be transferred to the manager. The transfer line rings a few times before telling me the mailbox is full and hanging up on me. I try to call back and cant even reach the front desk for 20 minutes. When I get through the girl at the desk tells me the manger is "unavailable right now." After some talking I am able to convince her to let me speak to the manager. He had none of my information despite allegedly receiving it multiple times.|He told me he will now process the refund.|This has been a 3 week process. Completely unprofessional. We'll see if my refund actually comes through now.|And all of this for a room no nicer than a 2-star hotel...
google avatar

Chris H.

Yelp
We've been staying at the Graduate in Richmond for years now. It's one of the hotels we keep going back to on our trips back to New York. We love many aspects of this hotel. We have always had good interactions with the staff that work here, and even received vegetarian friendly recommendations from the person who works at their coffee shop/breakfast restaurant. We have enjoyed the coffee and breakfast, as well as the fun eating area. The valet is very convenient (for $35 a night), and the location is walking distance to many great restaurants, I LOVE the soap, conditioner, and shampoo options they give you (Malin+Goetz brand) and think the bathroom wallpaper is adorable. I've unfortunately never been to the bar here, but my husband enjoyed a drink and we've enjoyed the rooftop pool many times. The hotel theming is really cute and they allow dogs
google avatar

Libby H.

Yelp
I don't often leave negative reviews, but this experience was so frustrating that I feel compelled to share. This was, without exaggeration, the worst hotel stay I've ever had. (I shouldn't say stay... this was so bad we left and went to the Marriott down the street who gave us a fresh, CLEAN room and were wonderfully accommodating) When we first arrived, the keys to our room didn't work. We went back to the front desk to have them reset, but they still didn't work. After multiple trips back and forth, we were told maintenance would need to fix the issue. Unfortunately, we had tickets to a show and couldn't wait any longer, so we left, hoping it would be resolved by the time we returned. When we got back later that night, the front desk casually mentioned that maintenance had been to the room--without any apology for the earlier inconvenience. But when we went upstairs, we discovered the room had never even been cleaned. Trash was left in the bins, the bed was unmade, and towels were on the floor. At this point, it was late, we were exhausted, and it was truly unacceptable. We returned to the front desk to explain the situation. Again, there was no apology, no acknowledgment of how unacceptable this was. One staff member suggested upgrading us, which seemed like a reasonable solution. We accepted, but when we got to the new room, we found it was already occupied. The door was padlocked from the inside and people were talking. I cannot stress enough how unprofessional and chaotic this experience was. Mistakes happen, but it's how they are handled that matters. There was no ownership, no sincere effort to make things right, and no basic hospitality. A clean, available room and courteous service are the bare minimum a hotel should provide, and this property failed on every level. I cannot recommend this hotel to anyone.

Tayler S.

Yelp
Staff were fantastic! All front desk employees were so kind and helpful. The barista was enthusiastic and made a great latte. The graduate theme is really cute being next to VCU. I'll definitely stay here again.
google avatar

Carmen M.

Yelp
I enjoyed my stay, thw room was huge. The front desk staff was kind. But Mike at the bar was amazing. He jumped in to support his Tema and even while busy with a large confconference group he was kind and patient.
google avatar

Diandra L.

Yelp
For my recent trip to Richmond, I stayed at the Graduate. It is a chain of hotels that finds its home in various college towns across the US, making it a trendy and affordable option. I got a corner king room and it was super spacious, clean, and had space to lounge as well as a desk. The bathroom is pretty tiny, but since I was just a party of 1 it was fine. The front desk staff was so nice, and I really enjoyed the decor. They have a bar in the lobby as well as spots to work from. If you're looking for some quick grab and go items, you can find them at the bar and pay at the front desk if the bar is closed. They also have a rooftop bar, which is closed for winter but seems like a cute option when it's nice out. Overall, for a stay under $200 this was perfect. Also, I love the riff off of this hotel name being in college towns, and the movie the Graduate. I don't know if it is intentional, but it was all I could think about when I noticed their branding is about being in college towns. Would definitely stay again.
google avatar

Kathleen D.

Yelp
Rooftop review only: I've not stayed at the Graduate, but I've been to Birdhouse, their rooftop bar, a handful of times. I feel like it's a nice spot downtown, but they could enhance it considerably to make it more of a destination. For one, their food menu is so basic and chicken-heavy. I'd love to see more diversity in it. Their cocktails are pretty good overall. Service can take a while depending on the number of people; they never seem to be adequately staffed. Some music would also be nice!
google avatar

Shana S.

Yelp
I was hesitant about staying here initially because there are quite a bit of bad reviews. Although there are some things that can be worked on, one thing for sure was the front desk service. Erica treated us so kindly and gave us information on what to do and where to eat in the area. Anything we needed for the room, she made sure to have it sent up. I don't think I've ever had prompt service like that. Whenever I'd see her in the lobby, she'd be smiling. Always smiling. That's the energy that we need today. The food was good, the amenities were ok, but the service was everything. That means the most to me. I want to thank Erica for making my family's stay a great one !

Bonnie H.

Yelp
There are too many things... no place to set a cup in the bathroom, only two cups to begin with. Can't reach the nightstand from the bed. Un functional space everywhere. I'm never staying here again.
google avatar

Christine G.

Yelp
Normally I book our hotel stays but my husband likes to wing it sometimes and he picked the Graduate off of Travelocity. I'd give it a 5 except for a few things to note that I'd like for future visitors to know. We knew we were going to be super late, parking was confusing (the webpage could really offer tips on where to put your car, and Valet is too expensive to justify it for a few hours). I liked the kitschy collegiate theme but was sad we both got Warren Beatty ID cards for the room keys. Would have liked 2 different folks just to see what other options there were. These are notes on Rm 704, in case management is reading. The room was spacious and clean. The bathroom was surprisingly huge. The wallpaper in the bathroom cracked me up. My complaints are basically - there were no accessible outlets to plug things into. I had to charge 2 phones and my work laptop. Nowhere to plug them in. My husband uses a CPAP, so he got the side of the bed with the one bedside table that had a lamp with the plug in the base. You could see there were at least 2 outlets that were covered up by the blank faceplates (in the closet, beside the AC unit). And the only other outlet in the room was behind the headboard of the bed. We tried but could not get to it at all. Highly recommend the mgmt figure out some plugs for the room. My side of the bed had no bedside table, even though there was a ton of room. That wasn't helpful. I had to plug my phone in by the tiny "charging station" by the TV. Nowhere to set a glass of water or my glasses or anything. It's like someone took the table and lamp out for some reason, and forgot to bring it back. Oh also, no cups/glasses in the room? I appreciated the free water! water! water! cans, they were cute, but 2 cans for 2 people who are basically dehydrated at the end of a long hot July day is rough. Some sort of drinking vessels would be hugely beneficial. And I was too epically tired to go back downstairs and ask for cups. The AC worked great, but was really loud and vibratey and woke me up repeatedly. The bathroom, as mentioned, really big. But: 2 bath towels, 1 hand towel, 1 facecloth for 2 people ... meh? There should be more towel products. I did love the "Soapbox" box that the towels, hair dryer, extra TP were in. Again, the kitschy college theme carries through just about every detail in the place. Enjoyed the peppermint shampoo, did not enjoy the cilantro conditioner. In the morning, the staff at the restaurant were super kind, very fast, and sweet. I just always feel like coffee should be free at a hotel. I don't mind paying for breakfast, but .... coffee .... please. It was fun meeting dogs in the lobby. We didn't get to the upstairs bar and pool, in fact, we were so tired when we got there we didn't know it existed until we were checking out. Front desk staff was very kind and helpful. Witnessed a grumpy guest demanding late check out because her flight was canceled, like it was the hotel's fault, but the human behind the desk took the whining like a champ and extended her checkout time without batting an eye. We got a super affordable rate, so all told, a safe, comfortable bed for two very tired humans, if we had more time I'm sure I'd love to see the pool etc. Perhaps another visit when we are in RVA.
google avatar

Lena M.

Yelp
This review is about coworking here. I picked The Graduate because I've been wanting to visit this trendy hotel for sometime now. I was looking for a new work spot and decided to check out their lobby cafe, Brookfield. They were out of matcha when I visited, so I ordered a mocha. I would recommend ordering something else. The service was very kind and quick. There were a lot of seating options. I liked working at the long table in the middle. It had a lot of outlets too. I explored the inside a bit and loved all the games they had in the lobby (pool and pacman to name a few). It was a cozy and stylish place. I walked here, but there was street parking nearby. The bathrooms were clean and bright. They have womens and mens restrooms on the first floor. I'm happy I tried coworking here. I'm excited to return to try some cocktails at their rooftop bar, Byrd House.
google avatar

Robert W.

Yelp
Our first Graduate experience was a 2 night stay in Annapolis in 2023. We loved the hotel and the staff! We just stayed at the Richmond Graduate and there were many positives but some significant negatives. We liked: the friendly staff, and tasty nibbles in the bar/cafe, having a spacious room with an impressive view, 2 cans of cold water in the mini-fridge, A good rate compared to to the nearby Omni our comfortable bed. We were not happy that: our sink stopper could not be budged so the sink was pretty unusable after the first time it was filled, there were no glasses for water, No ice machine or ice bucket there was no brewable coffee in the room, only instant, the valets allowed cars to stack up under the port cochere so that we never could drive through it to drop or pick up people or luggage - cars backed up into the street, the front desk staff was baffled by our pre-purchased gift certificates though they sent a correct bill within a few hours We saved, and the Graduate lost $32 for valet parking because we couldn't get close enough to drop the car. There was a free overnight street space less than a block away.
google avatar

Mike F.

Yelp
Front desk service was EXCELLENT ! Erica was the nicest & most helpful receptionist ever. She checked us in with ease. She definitely made our stay a great one. The rooftop pool was nice and the burgers from the bar was pretty good! I'll most likely book this spot for our next stay in VA.

Harrison C.

Yelp
By far the worst hotel experience I've ever had. The hotel staff was incredibly rude, the room was filthy and the car valet recklessly took off with our vehicle like the scene from Ferris Bueller. Hilton has clearly made a poor investment adding this place to their suite of properties. Avoid at all costs---even the bench at the local park around the corner would be a better option.
google avatar

Emma E.

Yelp
One of the worst hotel stays I've had in awhile and I wouldn't be back. The theming of the room is cute but that's about it. There was a huge stain on the floor when coming into the room. Ac doesn't work well. The room itself was fine. The people around my room were so obnoxiously loud screaming and laughing into the night. Valet was late and rude, terrible service and overpriced. Front desk staff also rude. I ordered food and when it was delivered they didn't even bother to check or call up to the room so I came downstairs and it looks like someone else took it. There were probably 10 or so college looking kids hanging out in the lobby around midnight wearing like sweatpants and ratty clothes. Why is the hotel lobby a hangout spot for teenagers?? Would never stay again. This place is seedy af and not worth the price at all. Go elsewhere.

Pack H.

Yelp
After a Gala at the Jefferson, we stayed at the Graduate Hotel in Richmond. It was cozy, charming, and felt like home. A perfect hideaway with unique decor and great vibes, I can't wait to return!
google avatar

Jalkah F.

Yelp
Check in was easy and quick, service was always friendly. The theme and design of the place is a cool idea and I like how they encourage college folk to work there. The cleanliness of our room was actually what wasn't 100%, as there was a few dark hairs on the bathroom floor and wall, and the carpet just didn't feel clean. The shower took over 5 min to get relatively warm and I was worried we just didn't have hot water. Seems like the hotel staff is not thorough with cleaning. We also happened to stay a weekend when a soccer tournament was happening so the valet turned out to be a bigger headache than something complimentary (there's tons of fees, including a valet fee, that you pay for each night you spend there!) Both mornings we waited over 30 min and none of the valet staff gave us accurate wait times. Super frustrating as I was late to work the first time and almost the second time despite ordering for our car an hour earlier.

Gale C.

Yelp
We were here for the Richmond marathon and we loved staying at this hotel. The staff was super nice and accommodating. The location was very convenient. We liked the restaurant/bar area for coffee, snacks and quick meals. The rooftop bar was closed for the season so we didn't get to see that. The rooms were very spacious and very clean and the beds were super comfortable. Overall we had a great experience at The Graduate!

Dorothy K.

Yelp
Service is non-existent here. All we needed was more clothes hangers and the clerk was rude, kept telling us how he's never heard of such a request. I am a repeat customer but will be looking for other options. Also the carpets are dingy.
google avatar

Samantha R.

Yelp
I really wanted to like this hotel and I love the aesthetic they went for (reminds me of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel) plus the central location. But I saw the sun start shining in on the seemingly crisp white bedding and the inside of my comforter was brown and disgusting (see pictures). I showed the cleaner and the front desk pictures and both made a face like "wtf that's gross". No one even came in to change the bed, they just knocked on my door and handed me a comforter and sheets to do it myself. The dirty comforter sat in my room with me until I put it in a trash bag myself and took it downstairs the next day. I'm so grossed out, it's overshadowing anything positive about this place. The comforter on the other bed and the new one I received were fine and white on the outside and inside, but I couldn't get rid of the ick feeling for the whole trip. Seems like some other people had good experiences, but I'd caution against it based on cleanliness.

Tracy M.

Yelp
Did a relocation for a friend/client, and stopped in Richmond for a night. This is a GORGEOUS property! Our room was spectacular! Everyone was so nice and helpful, especially Ms Erica at the front desk She especially helped me with some ice packs for my leg and everything else we needed. The rooftop bar was awesome! The night clerk also helped us with a few locations to get a night cap and purchase a meal ticket! The Cafe was great!! **stayed June 27th-June 28th.**
google avatar

Taylor F.

Yelp
I like this idea of this hotel. It is hip and fun to adventure. The employees were nice but I did have one dilemma. I tried to use the peloton at night, but the commercial/hotel setting to use the bike was not logged into the proper setting. Since I don't have a paid membership and only use the hotel commercial use, I was unable to access any classes. No one at night could help me. Also, my bathroom floor grout had caked on cream foundation. Maybe some previous guest dropped the whole bottle on the floor, and it was never cleaned properly.

Claude L.

Yelp
I just checked in at the Graduate by Hilton. I have never been given such nasty rooms. The first one had syrup stains on the carpet, torn carpet and stains all over the room. They gave us another room telling us that it was the last one available. This room wass very nasty. Every single wall was dirty, in the tub the floor was stained brown. The head board of the bed is stained and dirty. The velvet brown sofa has what looks like cum stains all over it. There were stains all over the carpet. This hotel looks worse than a Hotel 6. I have pictures of everything I am talking about. I HATE THIS HOTEL. I booked it for two days and the hotel will not refund my money.

Patty D.

Yelp
Was charged $100 and meal taxes for a meal at the bar we didn't have. Took a long time and two corrections at front desk to get it almost right. Still charged $20 too much. Horrible. Hopefully the card statement will only show that overpayment. They couldn't find a slip that showed the $80 drink and $20 tip - sounds like staff stealing. Going to review in Hilton site next.
google avatar

Yvonne W.

Yelp
Really cute common area downstairs to hangout and get some work done. The rooms are really small; my least favorite part is the bathroom door and how it collides with the main door. The bathroom is really small... will only allow one person to get ready in the bathroom. But they do have some really cute elements .. such as the decor with photos I have attached. I also love the key is an actual ID card design. I wouldn't mind staying here again it's really convenient. But at night surrounded area isn't all that safe. So just to keep that in mind.
google avatar

George O.

Yelp
I love the local vibes this place gives with its decor. Very cozy and the bed was probably one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in! Service was excellent and they actually made cappuccino the Italian way (with foam) not the American way (more like a latte). Overall awesome experience!
google avatar

Mina M.

Yelp
Disclaimer: First time we stayed at the Graduate, it was great. However, we stayed there a second time and it was...not good. We booked one night and drove out from Williamsburg. When we arrived, the valet was being handled by one employee who was absolutely overwhelmed. Since I had just bought a new car, we decided to use the valet and went up to the counter to drop off our key. The valet briskly took our information and sent us on our way. Around 10 o'clock, when we needed to head out, my husband went to valet to get the car pulled around so he could get his wallet out (he forgot it inside). Ten minutes after he went down, he texted saying valet couldn't find the key. No worries, I thought. Well, 10 minutes turned into a half hour. Then an hour. Then two hours. Then two and a half hours! We sat in that lobby all night while the valet scrambled to find our key, which they never found. Our entire night was ruined and no one from the front desk came to check in on us, or offered an apology, or anything of the sort. I really couldn't believe it. Finally, the manager came around and called a locksmith who managed to make a copy of my FOB and we were able to get the wallet out. By then, it was 12:40 AM, with just an hour for us to actually go out where we were supposed to be. Want to know what the hotel offered us as compensation? A $25 voucher at their restaurant (drinks and gratuity not included). So we basically spent a couple hundred dollars to sit around their hotel all evening. An absolute joke. To top it off, my car now has a keyless entry error due to the crappy locksmith basically hacking my car. I have to take it to the dealership to get it fixed. Is The Graduate going to foot the bill for this inconvenience? We will not be staying at another Graduate again. If you happen to stay here, please be careful with your keys and the valet. Don't be like me if something happens. I was too nice and got taken advantage of.
google avatar

Bruno F.

Yelp
First time staying at this hotel for work and here's how it went. The rooms are decent and pretty clean. The staff from the front desk and bar are pretty friendly with the exception of one event, which I'll explain in a moment. Once I got in my room, it seemed to be a normal stay until the smell of marijuana started creeping through the door. It started to overpower the room and at that point, it was pretty gross. Now, I'm all for legalization of marijuana. However, since I don't smoke, I hate the smell of it. Besides, I'm pretty sure the hotel has a no smoking policy period. The whole floor was covered in the smell. I went down to the front desk and tried to be discrete and polite about it. The front desk person didn't really seem to care. Didn't offer to switch me to another floor. I also ordered food at the bar and the food was delicious, however they lose another star for quantity of the food you receive. Could have been more but I remember the portion size being extremely small. Hopefully, the next time will be better. "My review is strictly my opinion based on my experience and interaction with the business and staff while they provided me a service, food, or merchandise. This review is not to be translated as fact. My review is truthful to the best of my ability and is not intended to present harm to the business but to encourage them to perform better or allow them to continue being awesome. I have not received any monetary gain for writing this review"
google avatar

Stephanie T.

Yelp
Invited to a wedding in RVA with a room block at The Graduate. Knowing how famous and popular their Nashville location is, I was so excited to stay here. I didn't expect it to be Dolly Parton-ed out, but I was expecting a funky cool vibe. This hotel is boutique, so they definitely delivered on the eclecticism. The standouts: - amazingly friendly staff - cool lobby bar opened late for drinks and bites - cute room decor and wallpaper - close location to Broad St The improvements: - definitely older and a tad worn down - poor lighting in rooms - housekeeping isn't/wasn't provided daily P.S. they're dog friendly!

Josiah M.

Yelp
This place was awful! After following the graduate story, my wife and I finally stayed in this location Friday night. At 11:30 at night I pushed the bathroom door shut to block light but also be able to see if we had to get up. The door locked..we didn't push anything. I call down to desk and the woman says I'll send up maintenance or security. Ok, son45 min later when I call back down because nobody showed up, she says the reason they didn't come up is because I'm the only one here.. so she offered to move our room and said come down and we can take care of it. I said why can't you have someone come up here and move us.. she again says... sir I'm the only 1 here, I can't leave the desk and maintenance is gone for the night. This in itself is alarming... so my wife goes down and gets the key for 1304 the room next to our original room 1303 that they moved us from. We left our stuff in the original bathroom until after 2 calls down to desk in the AM, maintenance guy came up and finally opened it. The bathroom of 1304 leaves a lot to be desired... Nasty caulk, banged up vanity.. even just the appearance of the marred shampoo bottle... this is bad enough on its own, but the common areas are gross... everything is banged up, ceiling tiles askew, moulding falling off. Like does any management ever walk through these places or do they just not care? I would not recommend hi place from what we experienced. They did supposedly refund the room, which is the right thing to do but I have yet to see the refund and they said it could be a few days...The thought that they plan to expand this brand to 500 hotels is unreal.. maybe focus on the ones existing !
google avatar

Mindy Y.

Yelp
This isn't a 4 star hotel. The decor and aesthetic downstairs in the lobby bar area is cute but there are too many cons. For over $250 a night we are so disappointed - old and dirty in the rooms - not maintained, stains on walls and carpet, damp musty room with old AC, furniture in room was stained - felt like I def didn't want to walk barefoot in there or sit on anything - lacking basic amenities - no water, coffee in room, soap dispensers in shower were empty we had to ask them to refill it only to notice the conditioner was out too - room is dark and small - pool is fine but the space is so small no where for people to sit The things that were ok - gym was decent - staff was nice
google avatar

Paige M.

Yelp
All I have to say is WOW! We booked this hotel for my boyfriends birthday, I called the hotel in the morning and spoke to Bronté who is an absolute GEM. She helped facilitate a surprise for my boyfriend, I got decorations delivered to the hotel and they decked out our room beautifully. She was so helpful and accommodating and i seriously can't thank her and the graduate staff enough for being in on it! The room is perfect and comfortable and we will definitely be staying here again! Thank you soooo so much, Bronté & the amazing Graduate staff

Olvan V.

Yelp
Honestly this hotel was not the greatest. We checked in and be prepared to either pay $30 for valet or 70 dollars if you get there overnight, or struggle to find parking if you do not want to pay for valet. When we checked in, the beds are really small, a queen bed is not the biggest. The employees were nice and everything but everything but the hotel just was not it.

James S.

Yelp
Went up to move my daughter in at VCU. The hotel was within walking distance to her residence hall. The rooms were quiet, comfortable, and extremely clean. I choose this hotel because it was listed as " pet friendly. "The only thing we weren't fans of was the Valet parking vs. metered street parking. I mean we paid to stay there and then we're expected to pay extra to park? Not good
google avatar

May-May R.

Yelp
The Pros: - Great location in the downtown area, close to VCU campus. - The public spaces are amazing: cool bar that had a pool table, shuffleboard and tabletop arcade games. Rooftop bar with amazing views of the city. Rooftop pool that is small but clean. - The decor: loves the decor throughout the hotel. I loved all the artwork and even the wallpaper in our bathroom was cute. - The staff was incredibly friendly and efficient. - They are dog friendly and the pet fee is very reasonable (I believe $35). The Cons: - The room was lacking certain amenities. We didn't have a "do not disturb sign", ice bucket, directory, pen/paper or kuerig cups for the machine. I wouldn't have noticed but these things were what brought some charm to the room in the other Graduate Hotels I've stayed in and I was excited to show my husband the theming. - It wasn't the cleanest room - The soap dispenser in the shower was extremely rusty and had mildew. There were some hairs on the toilet and the trash can was randomly placed in the middle of the room. - This might not be in every room since we were placed in a handicap accessible room but our bathroom sink was TINY. Water spilt all over me/the floor when washing my hands. We also had no place to store our bathroom items - a shelf in the room would be so helpful! Even the bath towels were simply stored in a basket on the floor along with the hair dryer and toilet paper. - While the hotel is very modern, it seemed like some things needed updating like the air conditioning units and televisions. We took advantage of the special rate The Graduate Hotels recently offered and we were excited to stay here (I've stayed at their Charlottesville location and loved it). However, I was really disappointed in the quality of the room. For a boutique hotel, I expected a little more and would most likely stay elsewhere if paying regular rates.
google avatar

Lindsey T.

Yelp
Alright, so I booked my stay through Hotel Tonight for 01/01/2022-01/03-2022 and ended up adding an additional night for 12/31/2021. Upon my arrival, I checked in which took about 30 minutes in total. The receptionist was working on the computer for a while and then went over to the (what I guess was) manager and inquired about an issue. The manager stated, "if that's the only room available, you'll just have to use it." The receptionist came back over, did not mention anything to me, gave me my room keys for room 404, and I went about my way. I got up to my room and noticed it was different. It was a handicap accessible room, which isn't a huge deal, just a little communication would have been nice. The shower was really low, as well as the bed, so if you're above average height you will have some obstacles. In addition, when I walked into the room the thermostat was set to 78 HEAT, it was what I would imagine it feels like upon entering the gates of hell. It took about two hours for the temperature to reach a degree which did not elicit continuous sweat drops. This was frustrating as I was trying to get ready to celebrate New Years Eve. I also tried to turn on the lamp closest to the TV and it would not turn on. I looked and it wasn't plugged in. Okay, no problem. I went to plug it in and all the plugs were occupied. So in order to use the Keurig and/or the lamp, you would need to either unplug the mini fridge or the TV. Again, not the biggest deal in the world but with everything else it was just frustrating and pretty disappointing. I had much greater expectations for this hotel stay. There were some things I enjoyed, such as the soaps provided, the recycle bin in the room, and the bed was comfortable, albeit almost on the floor. Also - LOVE the location and the fact that it's doggo friendly and was really hoping to enjoy my stay so I could return with my pups if ever needed. Unfortunately this stay was one of the worst hotel stays I've experienced in Richmond. I reached out to The Graduate Richmond and The Graduate corporate with no response from either.
google avatar

Janet G.

Yelp
I attended a graduation at VCU this past weekend, and my stay was comfortable and centrally located within walking distance to everything. The room was comfortable and the shower had really good pressure. The only thing that was slightly disappointing, was that the faucet to the bathroom sink was set back a little too far so the counter got wet when using it. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They were very caring and knowledgeable, offering great suggestions for places to eat in the area. I'd come back here anytime I visit.

Sylvester P.

Yelp
What can i say about this place? I read the reviews and they seemed hit or miss but honestly something told me to give it a shot, and honestly I'm so glad i did. My experience from before check out till check out was incredible! So to make a long story short, i was already going to be doing a late night check in since i had an evening flight, so they were working with me with that already, but then as fate would have it my flight got delayed so i missed my connecting flight. I touched base with them and they were so flexible with me i was so appreciative after the stresses of a stressful flight. Upon arrival they welcome me in with a warm welcome and everyone i had crossed path with staff wise was sooo friendly! First off beautiful location! Loved everything about the inside. The aesthetic was so fun! If you're looking for a place that is a great location near everything, super cute aesthetic, and a fabulous staff i recommend you try them out! You will not be disappointed i promise!
google avatar

Jane J.

Yelp
I stayed here for three nights in June 2022. The water stopped working for most of the day. Little communication about what was going on. Pool chairs were dirty. Carpets are stained. Hotel needs a renovation. The people who work here are fantastic and friendly. They are as helpful as they can be. If the hotel is updated it could be a top notch place, especially considering the staff.
google avatar

James C.

Yelp
Trying too hard to be trendy Crap hotel The front desk knew nothing about the area at all and at 2 am were all asleep in the lobby Laz and imagine this No business printer to use Full pass
google avatar

Jasmine J.

Yelp
The staff at this hotel are great , some are more professional than others but anyone I came across was polite. I love the location of this hotel , lovely lobby , bar , and game are however everything else is gross . I understand maybe since the pandemic cleanliness has gone out the window . My room didn't have a do not disturb sign , and no more were available so I was woken up by housekeeping. My fridge wasn't cold and when I called to inquire about a new one the night I checked in was told I had to wait until the next day for maintenance , so had to chill a large bag of food over ice . Hallway are disgusting , trash everywhere . I'm very thankful for microwaves throughout the hotel but one was broken and the other absolutely disgusting inside . Beds are very comfortable .
google avatar

Michael C.

Yelp
I've stayed here twice. The hotel itself is gorgeous and it is super dog friendly, perhaps the most dog friendly hotel I have ever been too. The staff was also great. They have a coffee shop and restaurant downstairs and a rooftop pool and bar on the top floor. This might be the hottest hotel in Richmond too, when I was checking in the world famous Pauly D of Jersey Shore fame was checking in ahead of me.
google avatar

Betsy G.

Yelp
I'm giving this wonderful place 5 stars. We had a terrific experience, from beginning to end. Spacious room with such fun artwork. We checked in with Paris-Rae, who asked me if we minded being by the elevator, and then changed our room location because she could. She was so welcoming and genuine. Everyone we spoke with was just great. This is such a little thing, because it is really all about the people who work to set the tone and culture of each hotel, for me. But I loved having a mini-fridge in the the room. Not the "touch anything and we'll charge you $35" minibar, but "leftovers? Put them here!" It was graduation weekend, so I imagine they were stretched thin.Wow! Class acts! I will stay here every time I come to Richmond.
google avatar

Junior L.

Yelp
They sell bottled water for five dollars.... With that intro, this hotel has lots of great qualities with a few annoying ones. Check in was a snap. We used valet parking and it was $24 a night. The biggest plus is that they are pet friendly with a small pet deposit. Our room was on the 14th floor and it was huge. I highly recommend getting a corner suite if you can. The Byrdhouse, which is a rooftop bar that serves food is awesome. The views are spectacular. The staff up there was super friendly and I highly recommend the food. It was yummy. Specifically, get the chicken sliders. You're welcome. There is one elevator at times that only takes you all the way up to the Byrdhouse. That's great if you want to go there and not your room. I got stuck waiting for another elevator to come down and it was really early in the morning, so the other two elevators were stationary at other floors. My TV did not work. That hurts. The phone in my room did not work, so I had to use my cell to call the front desk. And yes, their bottled water was five bucks. Two blocks away, there's a 7/11. Plenty of water there for almost a buck. Overall, a great hotel that could be a bit better.
google avatar

LeAn H.

Yelp
***Review based off on my happy hour adventure with an awesome girlfriend, on a girl's night out, on the rooftop. My friend suggested this as our second location for a drink. She had come here before and have had a positive experience before. We walked in through the entrance and went around a corner to get our ID checked before going into an elevator to the rooftop. It was crowded but not overwhelming. We had to wait in a short line by the bar, but luckily got access to one of the menus to look over the drink so that we knew what to order when we were asked. I decided on their Genius Juice cocktail and my friend got their Golden Party cocktail. We also ordered a small side of cajun fries to soak up some of the alcohol while we enjoyed this adventure haha. The Genius juice obtain "Kopper kettle whiskey + dry red wine + simple syrup + sour". It was different and my kind of personality drink. As for the Garden Party Cocktail, it contains "tequila + triple sec + soda water + lime + cucumber juice". It honestly tasted really refreshing and like...a garden party - lol, if that honestly makes sense. We both ended up getting their Garden Party cocktail for our second rounds of drinks because it was the perfect cocktail for the evening. As for their friends, they were crispy and quite tasty - only wished they served just a little bit more. Overall, the presentation of the cocktails was beautiful and would recommend them both! (Depending on what the weather/temperature is for the evening.) We will definitely be returning!
google avatar

Nikki J.

Yelp
Update: I stayed here for a 1 night staycation. A lot of amenities were closed due to COVID & the weather that night. Check twice before booking if this is what you're interested in. Check in was super easy, and the front desk staff was great! I forgot her name or I'd give her personal kudos. Shared areas and the room itself was very clean. In the rooms, the remote is covered in plastic. Dinner was ok, the wings were a bit over cooked. But the fries and the drink were delicious! I booked direct online, which was easy and the best rate. Since I love here, I had no problem or trouble parking on the street.

No N.

Yelp
On a recent stay: rug had a big stain and hadn't been vacuumed, not enough towels for 3, had the DND out and housekeeping still came in, $32 for parking PLUS 4 taxes???, and a $25 'service' fee again with 4 taxes. This was not disclosed on the website, confirmation or at check-in. For what??? wi-fi, a drink/coffee 'coupon'?? Although I appreciate the pump toiletries, the conditioner was out. Would not recommend or stay again
google avatar

Dora Q.

Yelp
May 2022. $450/night for a sub-par hotel. A CONDOM in the pull out sofa! When I complained to the fronot desk he laughed, that's it.Only one towel in a king suite for 3 people. A toilet seat that was only partially attached to the toilet. If this hotel was $150/ I would understand. But charging $995 for night nights for this poorly maintained hotel was awful. Save your money and book elsewhere.
google avatar

Day L.

Yelp
This hotel has a bar on the roof that plays very loud music very late. Surprisingly this music can be heard as low as the sixth floor rooms. If your intent is to rent a room so you can sleep, go elsewhere.
google avatar

Haley Alyssa J.

Yelp
I enjoyed my stay at The Graduate. Located in downtown Richmond one block from The Jefferson, you can easily walk to many local hotspots. There is lots of free street parking in the area as well as a hotel valet that is charged per day. I parked only a half block away from the hotel with no issues. What I liked most about the hotel was the decor. It has a modern and fun style, and sticks to its school theme without becoming tacky. There is a great game room off the lobby that looks like a very upscale student lounge, rooms feature small details like number 2 pencils and notebooks instead of typical hotel stationary, and my room had a nightstand shaped like a stack of books. There are also framed prints featuring Richmond landmarks, neighborhoods, and celebrities, such as Arthur Ashe and GWAR. The room was clean and comfortable, although the AC took a long time to cool it down. The only small hassle in the experience was checking in, which is at 4:00pm. My friend and I were told that housekeeping hadn't been to our room yet, even though guests check out at 11:00am, and the receptionist said we could put our bags in a storage room until later. That did not work for us, because we were heading out to a wedding soon and needed to finish getting ready. The receptionist offered us an "upgrade" to a different room that was available. Oddly, an upgrade meant switching from the two beds we booked to a room the same size with one bed and a pull out couch. It was fine, and we were able to get settled and relax for a few minutes in the lobby before leaving. Overall I would recommend The Graduate as a cute hotel with personality for visitors who don't want to spend a small fortune at larger chains.