The Quirkiest, Most Cincinnati-Themed Hotel Ever Created Isn't Downtown

1 / 40

read captions

Graduate Cincinnati is the 25th hotel to join the Graduate Hotels collection—a series of distinct hotels placed in university-anchored cities around the US. What sets them apart from any other hotel is the fact that each one is designed in a completely unique way, highlighting local characteristics, architecture, and popular references to the cities they reside in. Graduate Cincinnati features countless nods to popular area trademarks around every corner. It's located in Corryville. ADDRESS: 151 Goodman Street (45219) / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

$The eight-story hotel opened in August 2020 and is located near the University of Cincinnati’s campus and nearby University Medical Center. It features more than 200 rooms, over 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and two eateries slated to open sometime this fall. Pointdexter is the resident coffee shop, and Fiona’s is the restaurant and bar. For more information about Graduate Cincinnati and to book your stay, visit their{ }<a href="https://www.graduatehotels.com/cininnati/" target="_blank">website</a>. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20$

The rooms, fondly named after hometown heroes like Johnny Bench and Joseph Strauss, are outfitted with Cincinnati touches such as nightstands celebrating Cincinnati-style chili, headboards referencing Union Terminal, and tiger desk lamps representing the Bengals. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

One of the many murals in the hotel sits behind the front desk and features iconic toys produced by the historic Cincinnati toy company, Kenner Toys. It was done by local artist, Jonathan Queen. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

Cincinnati legend, Fiona, inspired the name of the hotel’s restaurant. She welcomes guests at the entrance. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

You don’t have to look too closely to spy a flying pig, a cardinal—Ohio’s state bird, and a steamboat wheel in the carpet pattern. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

The basketball flooring on the first floor was reclaimed from Fifth Third Arena. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

A statement mural by Kipper Millsap features Cincinnati favorites such as Neil Armstrong, the Reds, and Music Hall. A variety of neon phrases like “Queen City” and “Who Dey” illuminate the piece, which is located behind a communal table off the main lobby. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

“Our team took great inspiration from the creative spirit that runs deep in Cincinnati, and the hotel celebrates this distinct energy,” says Graduate Cincinnati General Manager Wade Riedman. Some of the design points include murals done by local artists, prints by Charley Harper, and album art from hometown bands accented by plenty of color and geometric shapes to hint at UC’s DAAP program. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

Bootsy Collins wallpaper because, why not? / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

To get a grasp on local quirks, the design team at Graduate Hotels interviews people like university officials, long-time business owners, and others to pick their brains about the city they’re focusing on. One thing each of the hotels have in common is the slogan, “We are all students,” which carries an overall collegiate theme that’s intended to make guests feel nostalgic for their schools. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

A picture of Oscar Robertson, aka the “Big O”, who played basketball for UC, the Cincinnati Royals, and the Milwaukee Bucks during his career / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

The “Graduate Cincinnati” inscription on the front desk is meant to resemble the “Sing the Queen City” sculpture in Freedom Park. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

$The eight-story hotel opened in August 2020 and is located near the University of Cincinnati’s campus and nearby University Medical Center. It features more than 200 rooms, over 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and two eateries slated to open sometime this fall. Pointdexter is the resident coffee shop, and Fiona’s is the restaurant and bar. For more information about Graduate Cincinnati and to book your stay, visit their{ }<a href="https://www.graduatehotels.com/cininnati/" target="_blank" title="https://www.graduatehotels.com/cininnati/">website</a>. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20$

A Crosley wagon, built in Cincinnati’s Crosley Motors Incorporated in the 50s, is parked on the first floor. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

$The eight-story hotel opened in August 2020 and is located near the University of Cincinnati’s campus and nearby University Medical Center. It features more than 200 rooms, over 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and two eateries slated to open sometime this fall. Pointdexter is the resident coffee shop, and Fiona’s is the restaurant and bar. For more information about Graduate Cincinnati and to book your stay, visit their{ }<a href="https://www.graduatehotels.com/cininnati/" target="_blank" title="https://www.graduatehotels.com/cininnati/">website</a>. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20$

A University of Cincinnati Hero Bearcat statue called “Encore Bearcat” by artist Patty New sits on the first floor. / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

Roy Rogers—Cincinnati’s favorite TV and restaurant chain cowboy / Image: Katie Robinson, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 9.17.20

Restart Gallery

You May Also Like These Photo Galleries

You May Also Like These Photo Galleries