Review: Graduate Hotel in Eugene, Oregon

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If you like a themed hotel, and especially if you are an Oregon Ducks fan, the Graduate Eugene by Hilton will delight you. This place committed to the bit. My daughter and I only got to stay here one night, while touring the University of Oregon. But I would love to go back sometime.

(Also check out my review of the College Inn Hotel in Seattle, where we stayed on the same campus tour trip.)

My review of the Graduate Hotel, Eugene, Oregon

As soon as you walk in the front door, you’ll see a gigantic wooden duck. This hotel isn’t even adjacent to the University of Oregon — it’s over a mile away — but it’s clear that Eugene is proud to be the home of the Oregon Ducks.

Rooms at the Graduate Eugene

At the entrance to our room, we stepped into a short wood-paneled hallway. It had a padded bench, perfect for putting your shoes on before heading out.

We had a corner room. Windows made up both outer walls. Our view was a misty landscape of mostly empty trees — and the marquee of the local performing arts center next door. The windows were covered with plaid curtains in green and yellow (the University of Oregon’s colors).

The lighting came from novelty lamps: one shaped like a waffle iron, another the goddess Athena!

(You can tell it’s Athena because she’s holding an owl.)

The bathroom was super cute too, with wallpaper covered in ducks (the mascot of the U of Oregon). The shower tile looked like Fireclay.

We only slept at The Graduate Eugene for one night, but it was comfortable. The mattresses and pillows and bedding are the same as at other Hilton properties. Those pillows are a little too plump for my comfort, but I’m guessing they’re what most people prefer. The room heating/cooling system was good — I turned it down to about 67 degrees for sleeping and up to 70 for showering in the morning, and both times it responded promptly.

Service at the Graduate by Hilton

All the staff members we interacted with were extra nice. We had trouble checking in because our Booking.com reservation wasn’t showing up on the hotel’s books. The front desk clerk was apologetic, even though this wasn’t his fault.  

The clerk had to go back to the office and use a different computer to solve the problem. He was even able to give us an extra-nice room for our trouble. And he quickly helped me link the reservation to my Hilton account as well.

The next day, when we brought our bags down to the desk for storage, both employees who helped us were also super nice. When we left, the bell desk clerk gave us each a high-quality locally made chocolate bar and a rubber duck. What a nice touch!

The Trophy Room restaurant

Our Amtrak arrived in Eugene on time, at 8:45 p.m. After walking the few blocks to the hotel, we showed up around 9. When we asked for ideas about where to eat, the desk clerk mentioned a few places still open outside the hotel. But then he mentioned that the hotel restaurant, The Trophy Room, was pretty good. He even recommended a favorite dish: the rigatoni.

Say less! Thank goodness, The Trophy Room served food until 11 p.m. The waiter there was nice. He made my scotch and club soda just the way I asked for it (not too much ice).

I had a pear salad, which was ok — the dressing was a bit tasteless and there were too many sweet things on it with both pears and craisins. I also had a cup of clam chowder, which was delicious. But Pebbles, my 17-year-old daughter, ordered the recommended rigatoni. It was amazing! Cheesy and creamy, with pesto, cherry tomatoes, peppers and onions, and al dente pasta … I wish I had some right now. The leftovers were even good come the next day.

Our meal was $49. Not bad for two entrees, a side and a cocktail. And there’s no sales tax in Oregon, which made it feel like a bargain.

Transportation to and from the Graduate Eugene

We saw a shuttle parked outside the hotel, so we asked hopefully if they provide airport transfers. It turns out, they only transport flight crews. There is also apparently no bus service to the Eugene Airport. The staff recommended we take a Lyft, which we did.

We could have taken a bus to campus from the hotel, but we chose to walk the 35 minutes.

A cute extension of the theme I’ve never seen before

One thing that amused me about the Graduate Hotel Eugene was the key cards. Normally, a key card has a pretty nondescript deisgn. Not at this hotel! Each card is labeled “Identification card,” and comes with the name and photo of people who I can only assume are real, historic faculty of the University of Oregon. This was so cute! It really gave us a sense of place. I especially liked that I ended up with the card of a printmaking professor, since my husband is a printmaker.

My conclusion on the Graduate Hotel Eugene Oregon

Would I return to the Graduate Eugene by Hilton? You bet! Especially if my daughter ends up going to the University of Oregon. And even more especially if we traveled there by train again.

The only drawback to staying at the Graduate Hotel for college visits is that it isn’t that close to the University of Oregon campus, really. But it’s a cute place with nice staff, close to restaurants and other businesses. I hope to be back at the Graduate someday!

Miles and points

I always try to earn miles and points on college tour trips, and this one was no exception. I booked the Graduate Hotel Eugene Oregon through Southwest Hotels. When I reserved, I was promised 173 Rapid Rewards points. I’m not totally sure if I received the points, though, because of the glitch with the reservation.