AJ Capital Partner’s recent concept accomplishes something that hadn’t even been attempted by the hospitality industry: the Graduate Hotels seamlessly blend the nostalgia of college, the convenience of a central location, and great design. By setting up hotels exclusively in college towns across the country, the objective is to offer visiting parents, returning alumni, and tourists of every stripe a fun, and most importantly, well-priced placed to stay.

The brains behind the Graduate Hotels opted to revamp preexisting motels and shuttered hotels rather than build-out each space from scratch. Their lobbies and guestrooms mirror each town’s heritage. Interior designers hired by the hotel, scoured local flea markets and antique stores for unique regional accents. Thoughtfully scattered elements of school pride, like the University of Georgia’s “bulldog,” detail the bedside lamps in the Graduate Hotel in Athens, GA. This year promises to bring with it brand-new Graduates to Ann Arbor, Berkley, Durham, Richmond, and Lincoln. Check out the video for more behind-the-scenes info.

Video courtesy of Graduate Hotels