Graduate by Hilton Evanston
Evanston, Illinois
Vibe
Collegiate nostalgia meets dark academia with student ID room keys, vintage portraits, and an intimate fireplace lounge.
“Collegiate heritage clubhouse”
Dark academia styling with handpainted Lake Michigan murals, apple bedside lamps, and vintage collegiate textiles.
A 1928 Colonial Revival building listed on the National Register of Historic Places as The Homestead.
Student ID style keycards, North Shore needlepoints, and custom caricatures celebrating famous Northwestern University alumni.
In downtown Evanston, two blocks from the Northwestern University campus and Lake Michigan.
Rooms
Handpainted Lake Michigan murals accent the headboards, flanked by ceramic apple lamps and framed needlepoints referencing classic North Shore cinema.
Backstory
Architect Philip Arthur Danielson designed the eight-story Colonial Revival structure in 1928, originally operating as The Homestead residential hotel.
Eat & drink
The Homestead Room pours evening cocktails alongside American classics, while the adjoining tea room centers around a glowing fireplace.
The neighborhood
Tree-lined Hinman Avenue places you two blocks from Northwestern University and the sandy edge of Clark Street Beach on Lake Michigan.
The app
This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate, in your pocket, for the whole trip.
Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
They did this well. You’ll notice.
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Architecture and interiors lead. There’s a creative vision at work.
The guest is conspicuously well cared for. Requests met before they’re made.
Rooted in place. Local character runs through the whole stay.
Energy and scene. Where the city goes out, whether or not it’s sleeping here.
A building with history. The story of the place is part of the stay.
Built around feeling better. Rest, sweat, soak, spa.
A hotel the city grew up with. Same rituals, same regulars.
A world of its own. No reason to leave the property.
Scene — what’s outside the door
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
A place apart: the property is the destination.