Graduate Athens

Occupying a 19th-century foundry and farmhouse, this hip hotel impresses with colorful, trendy interiors and a solid set of features. The stylish spaces pop with vibrant hues, vintage art, and eclectic furnishings, while the atmosphere is a mix of Southern charm and hipster haven. The lobby combines exposed brick walls and wooden floors with Persian rugs. The gallery-style wall of mirrors, Edison lightbulbs strung up like twinkle lights, and a hodgepodge of seating like plaid and yellow leather sofas, floral armchairs, and a long communal wooden table make up the space. The adjoining cafe is equally inviting with its olive green walls studded with colorful vintage art.At the heart of the hotel is The Foundry, a live music venue and bar that contributes to the atmosphere of the place, making for a fun and lively vibe, especially on event nights. It draws plenty of locals and non-hotel guests alike. A large portion of the clientele here is made up of University of Georgia visitors, as well as a mix of leisure and business travelers.

One of the main draws here is the hotel's proximity to the University of Georgia, which is a 10-minute walk away. It's situated just on the outskirts of downtown Athens and across the street from a small park. The Downtown Athens Historic District is an eight-minute walk from here, and home to loads of dining options. Many of the city's other attractions are a short drive away, including the Georgia Museum of Natural History (six-minute drive), the Georgia Museum of Art (seven-minute drive), and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia (10-minute drive). The Athens-Ben Epps Airport is around a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Atlanta and its airport are an hour and 20 minutes to two hours away, depending on traffic.

Like the public spaces, rooms are stylish and hip, though there are two distinct and differing styles: Graduate Rooms and Suites have a rouged-up dorm room vibe, while Hoyt House Rooms and Suites, situated in the former farmhouse, are more classic in style. The hip and quirky Graduate Rooms are dotted with eye-catching colors, like turmeric-hued tufted patent leather headboards, Georgia pine green walls, and a medley of plaid patterns courtesy of blankets, pillows, and armchairs. The spaces are also peppered with scholastic touches that are a nod to nearby University of Georgia, including bulldog lamps (the school's mascot) and chalkboards scrawled with equations and science facts. Funky furnishings include glass, wood, and crocodile skin nightstands topped with old-school rotary phones and TV stands adorned with painted portraits. In contrast, Hoyt House rooms exhibit classic Southern charm, garnishing soft neutral shades with colorful floral headboards, striped window shades, and vintage art on the walls.All rooms have desks as well as flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, retro-style Crosley radios, and free Wi-Fi. Suites have living rooms and add perks like record players (and a supply of a couple of vinyl records), vintage arcade games, and wet bars. Bathrooms are small, but sleek and modern. They're equipped with walk-in showers or shower/tub combos and large dispensers of Malin + Goetz toiletries. Some rooms overlook the parking lot. 

Features here as fun and convenient as the rooms. The hotel's main attraction is The Foundry, a live music venue and bar. It serves local beers and Southern-style fare. There's also a coffeeshop adjoining the lobby that serves breakfast and lunch bites like sandwiches. The Foundry, as well as several other event spaces including a ballroom and an outdoor pavilion, are available to rent for various functions. Wedding services and catering are available.There's a 24/7 fitness room that's equipped with a handful of machines, as well as a small outdoor plunge pool. Other wellness features include a spa that offers an facials, massages, and nail services. Other amenities include a free area shuttle as well as free bike rentals. This pet-friendly hotel is welcoming to furry friends -- dogs receive bowls and blankets, as well as free Bark Boxes.Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Outdoor parking is free.