The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of our favorite travel cards and provides excellent travel benefits, including some of the best lounge access.
30.09.2024 - 14:13 / thepointsguy.com / Dolly Parton / Kevin Osterhaus
If you hear people chanting "bodda getta" or "war eagle" from Hilton's newest Graduate hotel, don't worry: It's all by design.
Graduate by Hilton Auburn AL in Alabama is now open. The Auburn-themed hotel is a treat for Tigers fans old and new, whether you're going to the big game or just need a comfortable (and fun) place to rest your head while passing through.
Related: Graduate Hotels officially joins Hilton Honors
Right near the university, Graduate Auburn has 177 guest rooms, two bars and restaurants, a coffee shop and event spaces. Its interior design concept focuses on the town of Auburn, its 187-year history and the deep football traditions that come with the university. (For example, a football field is the centerpiece behind the check-in desk.)
Rooms at Graduate Auburn feel decadent, Southern and over-the-top in a way that is distinctly Graduate. References to the university include eagle sconces, tiger-print bolster pillows, "War Eagle" pennants and oak trees on the headboard — a subtle nod to the tradition of "rolling" nearby trees with toilet paper to celebrate a win (college, you know?!).
Guests can enjoy a caffeine fix or a creative cocktail at Bo Jackson's Beans, a cafe and bar dedicated to Auburn football and baseball star Bo Jackson. Behind the bar, a hand-carved wood statue of the athlete makes for a great photo op.
On the roof, the indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar called War Eagle Supper Club is a modern take on an establishment that's been a community staple for over 60 years but closed in 2015. Open for drinks, dinner and weekend brunch, this collegiate-themed supper club is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
"Auburn is centered around one of the South's largest universities, so we were constantly inspired by the incredibly engaged alumni network and the even stronger football fan base in town," said Kevin Osterhaus, president of global lifestyle brands at Hilton. "Our goal was to create a space that pays tribute to Auburn's people, culture, and the enduring legacy that makes this place truly special for guests, students, and alumni alike."
Graduate Hotels was an unexpected — but welcome — addition to the Hilton family, announced earlier this year. With a collection of hotels in major university towns in the U.S. and the U.K., these hotels give Hilton Honors members a unique lifestyle brand to visit. Some highlights include a Dolly Parton-themed hotel in Nashville and an island hotel in New York City.
Cash rates at Graduate Auburn start as low as $155 per night with the Hilton Honors discounted rate, though most nights through the end of the year sit closer to $200 per night. Award availability is mostly around 55,000 Hilton Honors points per night, though lower rates are available
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of our favorite travel cards and provides excellent travel benefits, including some of the best lounge access.
Skift Global Forum East is quickly approaching, taking place on November 19-20 in Dubai. If you haven’t yet attended, now is the time to join industry leaders from travel, tourism, and hospitality, as they share groundbreaking insights and dive into the region’s tremendous potential.
Disneyland Resort just rolled out discounts for kids and hotel stays next year.
For travelers looking to fly for the holidays, now may be the time to book.
For me, September is a hard one to see go. With it, those last little moments of summer slip away, the temperature starts to change and it's time to start pulling out your warm coats. My September was especially great, though. It started with cruising around the Mediterranean and checking out a few dreamy hotels in Italy, followed by a quick trip to Mexico to check out Hyatt's new all-inclusive brand.
As of last week, users can now search for Amtrak tickets on Google platforms and see up-to-date departure times, trip durations and fares similar to Google Flights, the train company announced on Sept. 26.
There's been a major development in the merger of Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, as the two carriers just launched the ability to transfer miles between their respective loyalty programs. While post-merger plans call for a single, combined loyalty program, this is an important first step — and opens up a lucrative new avenue for those with American Express Membership Rewards points.
Wyndham Rewards is welcoming fall with not one but two promotions. And they're stackable, so you can potentially save money and earn bonus points on your next paid stay.
The highly anticipated Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa is now open in French Polynesia, one of the dreamiest destinations on earth.
There are two types of train trip: The long, slow, and often luxurious train journey that takes you through beautiful scenery that you book specifically to spend time on the rails; and the speedy, no-nonsense, cheap train ride you take to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. In the first category, you’ll find grand trips like Australia’s The Ghan, South Africa’s Blue Train, and Britain’s Caledonian Sleeper. In the second, there are trips from London to Brussels in just two hours, from Rome to Venice in four hours, and from Miami to Orlando in three hours. And if you’re a train traveler who belongs to the second category and likes getting places fast without flying, there are plenty of trains in this world that do just that at speeds previously unimaginable on land, including the fastest train in the world and its closest competitors.
A national park service site in northern Michigan is offering a glimpse at the future of public transit. Through early October, you can ride an autonomous electric bus to popular sites at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Adastec, a company specializing in autonomous vehicle technology for commercial purposes, is testing autonomous shuttling for park guests in a first-of-its-kind concept for the National Park Service. Guests can register in advance to take part in an experience that, if successful, could set the bar for mass transit in other crowded park service sites.
The Catskills does Autumn very well. A getaway in the fall provides a consolation for the end of summer. It feels like a homely embrace, offering comfort, warmth, and a sweep of color that will bring cheer to even the most die-hard warm-season devotees. As fall begins to drape across New York State, it’s the perfect time to book a getaway — after all, we deserve to celebrate this time of year in a place where the season is in its brightest incarnation. The Catskills’ Hamptonsification, however, means that a weekend in the mountains can quickly get expensive. There are some ways to do a getaway on the dime. One is to set a reminder for October 3, noon ET. On a first-served basis, Urban Cowboy Lodge, arguably the best cabin hotel in the area, is offering a stay on the Big Indian Wilderness for $24 per night.