Graduate by Hilton Evanston

This is a fun, well designed hotel at a great location. The front porch has these wonderful rocking chairs. The bar is surprisingly open until 1am on weekends, which is nice. Rooms have cool, thoughtful furniture. Lots of Northwestern touches. The only negative is I don’t understand why the bartender is so consistently angry. Everyone else there was very pleasant. Will come back, for sure.

Positive: Location, cleanliness and decoration Negative: $100 deposit that was taken out of my account that was not disclosed before arrival. I billed my bar tab to the room and they ran another charge on my card instead of applying it to the deposit. The bartenders were the rudest I've ever met.

Although the staff was exceptionally nice and kind, we had to check out after the first night due to safety issues with the room. We had a bathtub with a shower in our room. It’s an older tub so the step over was very high. There was no bar to grab to safely step into the tub. There was no anti slip materials in the bottom of the tub. We asked for another room that would be safer and they could not accommodate us.

Great little hotel in the heart of Evanston, easy walk to Northwestern and restaurants, etc. It’s an older/historic hotel so the rooms are a little smaller than some newer places, and the elevator is hilariously tiny. But the place is also solidly built and reasonably quiet. Rooms on the east side can have a view of the lake. The folks working the service desk and the bartenders in the bar were friendly and helpful. I’d definitely recommend giving this place a try.

We stayed in Evanston for 2 nights, and I preferred this hotel over the other large chain option because of its boutique feel. The check-in process was smooth, though as a tiered Hilton Honors member, I had to remind them about an amenity they initially overlooked.|Our room was perfectly located on the 6th floor at the far end, away from street noise, which guaranteed a peaceful night's sleep. The room was nicely furnished and refreshingly cool when we arrived. The only hiccup was the thermostat, which seemed to have a mind of its own. No matter what temperature we set, it appeared to revert to some preset memory that overrode our preferences.|What we absolutely loved: the spacious bathroom, elegant decor, and thoughtful amenities like the in-room safe, mini-fridge, and coffee maker. The fireplace was a particularly cozy touch that made the room feel special.|The location is unbeatable! It is less than a 10-minute walk to both downtown Evanston and the beach. They even offer on-site bike rentals, which is a nice bonus for exploring the area.|I'd highly recommend The Graduate for business or leisure stays. The boutique atmosphere and prime location make it a winner.

I've stayed here twice with my dog while attending weekend classes at Northwestern. The location is very convenient, which I appreciate. However, the cleanliness of the rooms leaves a lot to be desired. Both times I’ve found hair on the towels and pillows, which is disappointing.I always pay the extra pet fee for my miniature poodle (who doesn’t shed, by the way), and I’m happy to do so—but it’s frustrating that this fee doesn’t seem to go toward maintaining a cleaner room. I hope the housekeeping standards improve, because this hotel has a lot of potential otherwise.

This place is solid. Happy chill friendly staff. A bit old school which is pretty nice. The killer feature though is the front porch. Perfection. Oh, and quick walk to the beach!! Oh, and the running trails along the water! Oh, and the nearby dog park, oh, and it’s right downtown and surrounded by killer food. Oh - and a whole foods. Did I mention the front porch? Love this place. I hope I go back to Evanston.

We tried to book a night stay a week out, but through the website we accidentally booked for that night. When we discovered the mistake we called the hotel right away to ask for a refund or a credit for the day we actually wanted to stay, but we were told that hotel policy was that cancellations had to be done 48 hours in advance, which was impossible because we accidentally booked for that night. The front desk person we talked to was awful and not helpful. She eventually gave us the name of the manager and he won't return our calls. The hotel was not full. So they didn't need to turn anyone away or lose money. Terrible customer service. Obviously won't be booking again with them.

Nice stay at a beautiful modernized boutique hotel. The rooms were well decorated and the bathroom was very large and welcoming. This Graduate had a little less school spirit compared to other graduates i have stayed, but still very well designed with a northwestern tone. The elevator was working as of 3/10/25. The staff was a little standoff-ish when we first checked in but warmed up over time. I have hilton status but it was not recognized. Pro-tip save your money and park on the road. Always easy to find a spot. Hotel is in great location. In a quiet neighbor hood. Walkable to restaurants, bars, grocery and the lake. We brought our dog and there was plenty of green space. When spending that much money on a room its always nice to have complimentary coffee in the lobby Net: good stay. Would recommend staying here Cleanliness: 4 stars Staff: 4 stars Vibe: 4 stars Location 4 stars Comfort: 4 stars Overall 4 stars

When I got the bill after my 3 night stay I found out they kept increasing the rate each night. I was not aware of this when I booked it. In all fairness they did alert me in the confirmation email but I did not read it closely. My bad. However, when I initially booked the room via the Hilton website the cost they showed was $222. They didn't show different costs for different nights. The second night they charged me $314 and the third night they charged me $425. A ridiculous amount for this hotel. My bad for not reading the confirmation. Still I feel cheated. And I'm a Diamond member

This is not a accessible or disabled persons hotel. Also don't go to this hotel if you're hungry since they don't have a microwave so you can't plan on eating meals in your room if you are travelling long distances, the pillows are uncomfortable however, the staff is nice. The decor is goodand the location is great.

The worst customer service I've experienced in a long time. Called at 9am to see if any sort of early check in would be possible and each person was more dismissive and rude than the next. Even if it wasn't possible to check in early the hospitality and offer to try would have been appreciated. Would not stay here again.

We enjoyed our stay! Graduate by Hilton Evanston accommodated us and our busy schedule, and we left satisfied. Our initial flight in was earlier than check-in and we were coming from Hawai'i, so we emailed prior to our arrival if there was any way we could check in earlier. We were prepared for a 'No', but were delighted to receive a 'Yes'. It never hurts to ask, folks. Well, it turns out our flight was delayed and we didn't need the early check-in. We did notify the hotel ahead of time. We were there during Thanksgiving week, so understandably, the parking situation could change...to have valet with the hotel is $20-$30/day which isn't unusual. However, we assessed the neighborhood, and were able to find street parking with just enough lenience to not have to wake up super early in the morning to move and avoid getting a ticket. We were out late enough in the day, and left early enough in the morning to where getting a ticket for street parking wasn't an issue though it was a cold, brisk walk to the car! YMMV. Everyone at the front desk was friendly and answered all of our questions. There was one bartender...a larger person...who was NOT FRIENDLY AT ALL. Their overall demeanor did not suggest that they wanted to be there. Too bad as we tip generously. The overall vibe of the place is cute - nothing seemed dated though it does give the impression of an early 20th century hotel, complete with the smallest elevator I may have ever been in. If you have large luggage, it's a tight fit for more than two people, so be aware.

Wow I must have been in a different Graduate. The one I was at for a Wedding was just darling. Checked me in early so I could catch the wedding shuttle. Beautiful front of hotel room that was beyond quiet. Great shower with good pressure. Comfortable bed. Clean. Wonderful attentive valets. Right in a very walkable neighborhood. Only fault was the coffee maker in my room didn't work so I went down for the free coffee in the lobby. My fellow patrons explained to me that there was no coffee they were getting it. For me that took two minutes for them a bit longer good coffee once I got it though.

Horrible bar service. The bartender was rude, standoffish, and she was arrogant. This was a complete turn-around from our bartender on a previous evening- he was spectacular- and the epitome of customer service. We went a 3rd time- and when we saw she was working the bar, we left. Libations were too expensive to deal with such nonsense.

Professional responsive staff. Breakfast was terrific as was the server. We had a corner king room and it was a bargain for the room size. Not everyone there had a Happy Face including the check in folks Yet positioned in a beautiful neighborhood

It's a boutique hotel. The service is friendly and the rooms are comfortable. However, the only plug I have access to that fits my iPhone charger is in the bathroom. There some loud noises outside or in the hallway. It's literally 11:34 and every two minutes I hear this loud boom kind of like a dumpster being slammed. I asked to be moved away from the main elevator to avoid noise from foot traffic. Apparently noise is inescapable. I give this place a 3/5 stars because if you're sensitive to noise, you won't get any sleep. And for a sleep deprived grad student like me, that sucks.

Fix your elevator. I stayed there about a year ago with my 89-year old father and it was busted then and now it still is! I don't care if a football game is going on at the same time as the pope is visiting, charging over $300/night for a walk-up with minimal amenities is just ridiculous. Oh, and amenities aren't amenities if you charge for them on the bill. Now my hotel of last resort for the area.

I really love this hotel. It is so cute! The rooms have such character and so many fine touches, but it isn't distracting or kitsch. The bathroom is probably my favorite aspect. Everything looks so new, yet, it's purposefully meant to look old-fashioned. But everything looks like it was just installed last week. And the shower pressure was so good! And all of the soaps are a really high brand quality. I just thought everything was so comfortable. There's so much sunlight in the room! And the parking was so easy! Just park on the street! And the staff was so friendly and went out of their way to accommodate us. (I especially like the door lady.) I'm so annoyed that we haven't stayed here before! I'm staying here from now on.

My daughter left her favorite stuffed animal behind. Zero help from the front desk and borderline rude when we called. Breakfast service was also SUPER slow and when the food finally arrived, it was cold. Main elevator did not work half our stay.

Abput the elevator. I booked for one night about two months ago and received several notifications about the elevator. When I asked someone who is, I think, the manager or a manager, she explained that because it is vintage elevator that parts for repair have to be custom made. OK, that's understandable, but there are plenty vintage elevators in buildings all over Chicagoland and somehow they keep operating. So it seemed a lame excuse, especially since (per the reviews) this has been out of repair since 2021! I did voice my unhappiness with the situation, as we are seniors (in good shape, mind you) but still didn't relish having to schlep suitcases up flights of stairs. I asked for some sort of token give back to acknowledge this and was granted a $25.00 comp off the total bill. That just about compensated for a very pricey glass of wine w/tip in the bar but cost of living is up everywhere. Now to the actual facilities. It does have an old school "clubby" vibe what with the vintage paintings, leather club chairs, brass whatevers and the bar is a cozy spot to enjoy an early evening cocktail. One person sitting at the bar ordered a Vesper martini and I was tempted to ask him if he knew who invented that cocktail but got out of my Jeopardy trivia mode and didn't say anything. You can look it up if you're really interested. We had the "deluxe" room which means there was a charming alcove with table and two chairs which added a sense of spaciousness to what would otherwise be a rather small room (ceilings are nice and high, though). I learned that this site had been an apartment building once upon a time and I imagine the alcove served as the dining roomette, with a small kitchen in another room. The bathroom has been updated and shows a pleasant balance between traditional and new. The Malin & Goetz products in the refillable containers in the shower stall were great and I appreciated that hotels are getting away from those wasteful little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotions. (Hampton is also doing this now. A step in the right direction, at least.) Two gripes: 1. The bathroom and kitchenette waste bins should have liners in them, for easy cleaning and also it would be more hygienic. Who wants to put used personal products into an unlined can? Sure, it might ruin the illusion that we're back in the 50's or 40's but really, why put that on the housekeepers, who surely have enough to do without dealing with emptying garbage cans. 2. It would be great to have a dimmer switch on the bedside lamp, as it is way too bright. The front desk staff were efficient and friendly enough but I had the sense that there were actually too many people working there without a clear idea of who was doing what. Since it's a "boutique" hotel I guess they don't include breakfast out of principle (though you can purchase). Just walk one block west on Church just past Whole Foods and check out Frida's restaurant. The Latin take on eggs benedict was something else.

In seventy years the worst hotel I have been in. Only one of the two elevators work. That one is not self-service and closes at 11 pm. You must round up a person to take you up or down. We were on the 7th floor. The hotel had no heat but they did offer extra blankets. It will have heat at some point (hard to believe isn't it?!). Dirt all over wall paper by HVAC vent that only blows only old air. The bathroom has a small sink and no vanity so all toiletries have to be on the floor. Refrigerator has sign on outside saying "Free water look inside". We looked and there was one can of water. That's their idea of a big deal! We were in a corner lake view king room. Imagine if you book less!

Elevator has been broke for a long time. But room is quaint and nice. Very clean and quiet. Staff was very professional and courteous. Check in was swift, valet a little pricey.

The hotel itself is beautiful. The bar is great. The elevators never work. Ever. For an eight story hotel that costs more than $450 a night, the freaking elevators need to work. Every single morning--good luck huffing your luggage and do not come here if you are disabled.

believe the reviews. elevators out- no help carrying your bags rude staff- except for the bar tender and valet food is awful rooms are dusty until they get their problems fixed stay anywhere else

Don't take any room number that ends in '18! Oh man. this place could be awesome some day. but its got a long climb ahead. we paid extra to upgrade to the queen suite, but the bedroom shares a paper thin wall with the stairway and the elevator. very little sleep 2 nights i. a row, since the elevator door opening and closing sounds like 10 seconds of tommy gun fire. on every floor of elevator service all night long hotel needs an entirely new elevator. it was broke. for most of Saturday, meaning lots of people walking up/down 7 floors the stairs making even more noise. We should have asked for a different room or changed hotels. in the mornings you have to ask the most dour reception clerk for coffee. bad way to start the day the two stars the place does earn are both for the stellar bartender mixologist the lobby Trophy Bar. could not get the google chrome to work on their system, even though i have degrees in computer engineering and make wireless routers for a living. LoL. nice shower. good cimate control. 10mbps wifi works well enough.

We came for dinner and had made a reservation two weeks in advance. Had the record on our phone. They lost the reservation and made no apologies. Four tables for two were open, they seated us at the worst one, in the middle of maximum traffic, and told us all the others were reserved. Couple comes in half an hour later, seated next to us at better table, we hear waiter say: "this is the last one we have." They did not tell us the truth. Nobody reserved specific tables. Food was good but the bad location, high noise level, and slow service, on top of this poor treatment, means a lower rating.

Friendly little neighbourhood hotel. Although this is a chain of 30+ hotels, other than having everything G thoughtfully planned out, you would assume it was a small Family Run operation. The vibe was out of a Wes Anderson movie, but our stay was enjoyable. Clean room, reasonably priced. Restaurant and lounge on site. There were a few quirky things about the experience , but that was part of the charm here. Also very close walking distance to everywhere we wanted to go. Street parking was a bit of a game to doge the parking police, but we managed. Will be back soon!

Arrived and their elevators were not working which they informed me of minutes before boarding my flight to Chicago so at the last minute so it was hard to make other arrangements. They placed me on the second floor so I wouldn't have to climb up all the stairs which was nice but the issue was the room was extremely noisy as one wall was against the stairwell so people were coming in all night and they couldn't use the elevator so the banging from all the luggage and foot traffic ended up in zero sleep the first night. I stayed a total of 6 night and asked multiple times to be moved and had to stay on top of them as they weren't communicating with one another. Finally they told me they had a room for me when I showed up at the front desk no one knew what I was talking about. I spoke with a manager who upgraded me for the last three nights of my stay. Suffice it to say I would never stay at this property again. The only good thing I can say is the location is walkable to amenities.

Tucked into a classic collegiate neighborhood, this boutique hotel is cozy and warm. The staff is friendly and efficient. A beautiful, Victorian/Edwardian, classic 20s walking neighborhood right on Lake Michigan. Romantic and well-appointed.

I made a reservation to stay at the Graduate Hotel and for health reasons I had to cancel. I emailed the hotel 4 weeks before my arrival to cancel the reservation and received a cancelation confirmation back from the hotel. My credit card was charged for the full amount of the charge as they say I never checked in. NO KIDDING I cancelled a month before I was supposed to be there. I have called and emailed the hotel and have gotten no response. They have the worst phone system and even worse customer service.

This hotel is an absolute dump! The rates are astronomical and it is atrocious. Elevators broken so had to walk up 8 flights with luggage and not even an apology. Room is shabby. No ice machine. No pictures or lighting in the hallway - looks like the slum-apartment from the movie Seven. Book literally anywhere else!

We booked a stay more than two months ago, received notice less than two weeks before arrival elevator was out (for over 4 mo per previous reviews) . How can a "4 star" hotel with above average rates find this acceptable? Sounds like a really lame bait and switch tactic, call ahead before you book to confirm the elevator is working otherwise I hope you like getting your cardio in shlepping up 8 flights of stairs.

Stay away. While it looks good, upon arrival, infomred elevators are not working. Nott fun carrying luggsge up 6 floors. Returned to room late afternoon, room was not made up. Unimpressed. Better ways to spend your time & money.

Their elevators are out and no expected time for repair was given. Deplorable!! No room service either. I will never stay here again!!

Walking into the Graduate Evanston location feels like a step back in time. I was in love with the vintage decor and elaborate chandelier in the lobby. I am terrible at remembering names, but the man who checked me in was so friendly and helpful as were the people helping with valet. "Elegant" is the word I would use to describe the room and I swear the wardrobe could have easily taken me back to Narnia. I stayed here specifically to visit Chicago (which by the way is a very easy drive or cab ride), but downtown Evanston looked very chic in itself. 10/10 recommend staying at the Graduate!

Do NOT stay here. I made reservations here weeks ago for my elderly parents because were having a family event. Then I heard - in passing - that their elevator was broken. They said their policy was to let guests know about this a week in advance, when it was already too late to book another hotel. In any case, they said they were booking everyone on low floors. We got here and they put my parents four fights up. Also, there is no heat and they cannot turn on any heat. When I complained about this - my parents are 75 and it's supposed to be 40 degrees tonight! - the people at the front desk literally rolled their eyes at me.

Charming, historical hotel. What truly sets it apart is its attentive and kind staff, especially Neelima and Tasha! The bar is well appointed and reminiscent of a speak-easy. It is also in a lovely location, with lake views from select rooms. We booked Graduate Evanston for our wedding guests, received a group rate, and everyone enjoyed their stay. I would recommend this hotel!

INACCESSIBLE and DECEIVING CUSTOMERS about it. Hotel has regular problems with the elevators for years. The only accessible elevator has had "a part on order" for over a year. Disabled customers directly inquiring about elevator access are not informed that the only working elevator requires several steps up, across a 10ft platform, and several steps down. Hotel is VIOLATING THE ADA laws and doesn't seem to care, in fact is actively covering it up. Even if you are able bodied, don't support a slimy business that treats the disabled with such disregard. A person unable to transfer from a wheelchair CAN NOT ACCESS a room there. And even when you inform them you are disabled, they don't disclose the issue. It's absolutely mind boggling that they are operating this way with impunity.

Do a really nice job with the service and the design of the restaurant however the portions were way too small. Basically had to go eat a second dinner after. If you're not that hungry it's a nice experience-it's quiet and really well designed but the dinner is basically an appetizer and the salad was about 10 pieces of lettuce with some sauce.

Outstanding staff & a very swanky building. The elevator is a bit small but the hallways were clean and the room was spacious, clean, & had a great view. The downstairs trophy room & bar aren't open for service, but we were welcome to sit by the fire and read, drink wine, etc. Free coffee in the mornings was also nice. Definitely recommend, would come back to stay again.

Hotel was nice. Loved the decor. Close to plenty of spots to eat and nice area to just walk around. Giving one star because they apparently will charge you for valet parking even when you don't have a car. Be careful at check out they don't include this on the bill. Was there for an event and several of us were charged for this even though none of us had cars

if I could put no stars I would. elevators don't work and that's in all of the reviews. probable ADA violation which Evanston should investigate. just checked out and found out they added a $15 concession fee for the "free" coffee and "complementary" drink coupons. total B.S. never again.

Loved our stay! It was FABULOUS FABULOUS FABULOUS. Loved the room - it was quite large, very clean, the staff was super friendly /helpful and LOVED how dog friendly it was. I also appreciated NOT having the room made during my time there... this felt right during Covid. I loved having hot water / coffee available in the morning. Hotel is two blocks from the lake, with awesome walking paths. Also a block to downtown with boutiques and restaurants. PLENTY of safe street parking in neighborhood, although we did valet the first night. Can't wait to come back!

The best hotel in Evanston for singles and couples. The staff is delightful. The bar is a great place for friends to gather. And did I mention that the staff is very kind?

Great atmosphere. Nice people. The food feels like a sports bar. This could be a magical place. It needs a food upgrade.

Been sat in reception for 2 hours now trying to check in. over 20 people in the same situation. staff refusing all refunds and saying anyone who cancels at this point owes a cancellation fee. DO NOT COME HERE. SERVICE AND STAFF ARE A JOKE. save yourself a ruined night and the money. go literally anywhere else

This is my very first yelp review. I normally don't do this at all. Not only did a housekeeping attendant come into our room without a knock at 8:30am, we were told we could have late check out for a few only to be told the next morning that we couldn't. The valet in the evening was rude. There is no air conditioning. There is also no restaurant so don't believe their website. Absolutely insane.

At least one staffer was working her butt off. Couldn't check in till 3:30, elevator broke down in the evening, bar hours were almost nonexistent. But hotel was clean and cute, they offered coffee and tea at the front desk to smooth any ruffled feathers. And when the bar was open the proprietor was talented and personable. Hoping they can add a star as we continue to come out of Covid.