College-town hotels in own class
These 10, on or near campus, make the grade.
Whether you’re visiting a college campus to catch a football game or for a student tour, there’s no need to check into a cookie-cutter hotel, says Rob Franek, editor-in-chief at the educational services company The Princeton Review, and author of “The Best 384 Colleges” (Penguin/Random House, $24.99). “Some hotels have such a genuine pride of place. They’re very much connected to the university or college in that town or city.” Franek, who visits at least 50 campuses a year, shares some favorites.
The Statler Hotel, Ithaca, New York
With a prestigious hotel management school, it’s no surprise that Cornell University has an outstanding campus inn. The seven-floor teaching hotel recently renovated its public spaces and guest bathrooms. “It seems that it’s nearly 100 percent studentrun,” Franek says. statlerhotel.cornell.edu/
Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
This striking university-run hotel and conference center is located on the school’s grounds. “I always choose to stay here,” Franek says. “Virginia Tech has this contagious school spirit that’s palpable when you step foot on campus. If you’re a prospective student, you only want to stay on campus.” innatvirginiatech.com
The Graduate, Berkeley, California
This playful hotel chain focuses on college towns, paying tribute to its school with kitschy-cool designs, including felt pennants and blackboards covered with mathematical equations. True to its hippie roots, rooms at the University of California- Berkeley hotel even have bong-shaped lamps. And the men’s bathroom has a urinal decorated with the Stanford logo, proving that the football rivalry is alive and well. Other Graduate locations include Tempe, Arizona; Athens, Georgia.; Bloomington, Indiana; Iowa City, Iowa; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Oxford, Mississippi; Lincoln, Nebraska; Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia; Madison, Wisconsin, and Seattle. graduatehotels.com/berkeley/
Hotel Northampton, Northampton, Massachusetts
With a central location in Western Massachusetts, this lodge serves five local schools: University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke and Hampshire colleges. “The rooms are cozy, lovely, bright and clean, and there’s a fabulous restaurant on property,” Franek says. hotelnorthampton.com
Morris Inn, South Bend, Indiana
Franek particularly likes the com- mon areas at this hotel run by the University of Notre Dame. “They’re grand. There’s kind of a library, and lounges and a great restaurant,” he says. In addition, the school’s vibrancy is hard to ignore. “Whether you graduated last year or 50 years ago, you have that school spirit that’s still intact.” morrisinn.nd.edu/
Arizona Inn, Tucson, Arizona
University of Arizona visitors find the region’s Southwest flavor on display in this historic hotel with casita-style rooms, some with fireplaces. “There’s a swimming pool, beautiful common areas, great restaurant and dining. It’s just a charmer,” Franek says, “a beautiful school and a beautiful campus.” arizonainn.com
Terrace Hotel, Lakeland, Florida
This art deco hotel offers an appropriate sense of style for visitors to nearby Florida Southern College, the only campus designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. “There are so many people that go and see Florida Southern. They get a lot of architectural tourists.” Franek says. The hotel makes a comfortable base. “There’s a large patio on the outside, nothing less than a grand dining room, and great rooms to stretch out in.” terracehotel.com/
Hotel San Jose, Austin, Texas
Located just a few miles from the flagship University of Texas campus, this retro motor inn sits in the middle of the hip South Congress neighborhood. “It’s a youthful area. You feel a student presence across Austin,” Franek says. The updated hotel boasts brushed concrete floors, big bathrooms, and a chair outside each room. sanjosehotel.com/
Chase Park Plaza, St. Louis
It’s hard to beat the location of this historic hotel, flanked by Washington University and St. Louis University, and directly across from museum-filled Forest Park. “The hotel itself is grand. It’s beautiful,” Franek says. “St. Louis is a great college town and you can feel it in this place.” sonesta.com/us/missouri/ st-louis/chase-park-plaza-royal-sonesta-st-louis
The Edgewater, Madison, Wisconsin
This twin-tower lakefront hotel, located just blocks from the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, beams with Badger pride. The inn has its own ice rink, marina and offers game day extras, like stadium shuttles, tailgate fare and post-game broadcasts. theedgewater.com