Graduate by Hilton Evanston — Hotel in Evanston Township

Chose this hotel because a friend had stayed here for a reunion a couple of months ago, and because I’ve stayed in two other Graduate hotels that were great. What could go wrong? I’d do plenty of walking around Evanston!

“Hope the elevator isn’t still broken!” My friend joked when I texted her.

The elevator is still broken. I booked the hotel Monday and there IS NO NOTICE that the hotel has no functioning elevator. I booked a “cyber deal” and upgraded to a king room. When I arrived on Wednesday evening (I’m local-ish), I was informed that the elevator was broken so instead of the king room on the 7th floor, they were giving me a queen room on the 6th floor!

“A smaller room one floor down is the solution? No thanks. I’ll take the extra floor.”

What did they give me for the inconvenience? They waived the $15/night amenities fee and gave me four free drink tickets for the bar. (I don’t drink.) And I didn’t get the amenities, except the free water that I stopped by the front desk to ask for on my way back from an errand to get food.

There is no room service. Don’t know where I’m supposed to get brewed coffee. So I wasn’t charged for amenities I didn’t get anyway, because i would have to travel down seven floors and then back UP seven floors. I asked for free parking or a free meal, but was told neither of those was an option.

It’s a lovely room with an amazing view, which I appreciate, though I barely left it the three days I was here. (Because seven floors is really hard on the back.) Things that could’ve been better: Heat that works in 30 degree temps - and I like it cold, but not THAT cold; make sure the down comforter isn’t bloodstained right at the edge where your next guest will be putting their face (couldn’t take it off because freezing room), and the TV did not pair with my devices no matter what. The desk situation has a very comfortable leather chair that is a foot too short for the desk, so don’t plan to get work done comfortably without sitting on the extra pillows.

I am on my last night feeling annoyed about things I’d overlook if only I could easily get up and go out. I feel terrible watching the housekeeping staff half-collapsed on the stairs, and if I, too, collapse, it will be in one of the giant piles of dirty linen bags in the corners of the very narrow stairway.

This is NOT a Graduate Hotel-level experience I’ve come to expect. I can’t believe they don’t mention the non-working elevator at the time of booking, which is in the reviews as being perpetually broken for months and months! How is this ADA-compliant? What do guests do who can’t walk those stairs? Why doesn’t the hotel offer room service or something more substantial than a $15 discount per night?

Will not return to this hotel, will let NU know that they should warn visiting alumni not...

Stayed in room 608. The overall feel of the room was rundown, with lots of cracked tile, peeling window frames, and peeling paint. The bathroom featured a wet, dirty bath mat with strings hanging off of it and a shower that didn't drain so you were always standing in a tepid pool of water. Very dusty, dilapidated, and tired room with multiple stains on carpet, bed spread, etc. Also only one key to room (the old fashioned kind of key), so it was difficult for my partner and I to do anything separately.

But by far the worst aspect of this room was that the heater (an old radiator) seemed to be jammed on, so no matter what we did (open windows, run the A/C) our room was about 80 degrees at all times. Plus the radiator was somewhat loud, so between that and the excessive heat and noise from the alley, we sleep very, very little. I was with a good size group (four different rooms), and everyone reported a similar experience with the heat in the room being excessive, and noise from the window once you opened it. Mattress was also extremely lumpy, and I woke up with a sore shoulder, neck, or arm pretty much every day.

Gym requires card key, which is funny since we were never even GIVEN a card key.

Breakfast was stale, old breads, prepackaged fruit salad, and muffins that looked like they had been in and out of the freezer on far too many times in their short and sorry lives.

While I understand that the hotel is supposed to have "character," a few cosmetic changes would have gone a long, long way. Is it necessary, for example, to have a dirty stained bedspread and a dirty floor mat? Why not replace? for $135 a night this room was also no great bargain. .

Maid service was pretty much non-existent. Someone came in and made the bed. Did not pick up dirty towels on the floor and give us new ones, did not replace coffee cups and water glasses, etc.

And the front desk, lastly, was very unhelpful. They basically told us, "if you don't like your room, you can go to a different hotel." HOW I WISH I HAD!! The Hyatt right around the corner is new, clean, and bright, but as I was with my whole family I did feel somewhat obligated to stay.

I've traveled all around the world and stayed in many hotels, inns, Airbnb's, etc. Never have I had such an unpleasant, unhelpful staff. This is not a "quirky" place--it is just old, tired, and rundown, with an extremely defensive staff who will take your money but do little else for you.

SAVE YOUR MONEY AND stay someplace that will actually be nice to you once they have...

Talk about the proverbial bait and switch. To make a reservation we had to pay in full in advance with a no refunds addendum. Smart move on their part because once you spend a night here you’re going to realize why they take your money up front. Upon arrival the hotel is beautiful and in the perfect location. Our room was spacious and authentically decorated - it looks just like the photos online. But then we took showers and went to bed. When we woke up everything was wet and damp feeling. Everything. From the bed to the sheets to my packed clothes. It was weird and gross. I went to brush my teeth and discovered the problem (see photos) - the only air vent in the entire room is located in the bathroom right over where you step out of the shower. (Who designed this??) And it was dripping water. Dripping water. Are you kidding me? That’s why everything was wet and now I was wet wet. Not a great way to start the day. (Note: It was only in the low 80s and we had the AC set at 73.) I went to the front desk because this was so not acceptable and I was at a complete loss - we travel a lot and this has never happened before. Also a hotel this “nice” should not have issues like this. The (very sweet) woman at the front desk apologized but admitted they knew it was a problem. I said; “Y’all charge people $600 a night with a straight face knowing your AC doesn’t work appropriately?” She said she would have maintenance come look at it. (For a problem you already know exists? If they didn’t/couldn’t fix it before what are they going to do now?) We left the hotel and went on about our day. When we returned we had fresh towels and there was this huge dehumidifier in the bathroom. Now it worked and I hate to complain about something that fixed the problem but this thing was filthy and disgusting. (See photos). I feel so bad for the staff here. Every employee here was friendly and kind and helpful as they could be given the constraints they are working with. I just cannot believe what they have the audacity to charge per night when they have: No elevator No properly functioning AC system No gym No complimentary coffee No loaner umbrellas No amenities at all. You get a nice looking room and that’s about it. Let me just say there are nicer hotels within walking distance that I guarantee don’t have these issues. Do better...