Graduate Cambridge hotel now bookable via Hilton

Back in March, Hilton made a rare acquisition – the first major one since it bought Embassy Suites, DoubleTree and Hampton in 1999 – with the $210 million purchase of Graduate Hotels.

The name may ring a bell. The company has two hotels in the UK – The Randolph in Oxford which we reviewed here, and Graduate Cambridge.

The Cambridge property, image below, was previously a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel before being sold to Graduate.

Graduate Hotels has 33 sites in total, with the other 31 in the United States. They are situated in university towns and “cater to college alumni, students, and communities with hip, nostalgic-themed design and campus-centric amenities.”

Hilton believes that the brand could grow to 400-500 hotels globally.

In some ways, the hotels – and the cities they serve – are similar to IHG’s Hotel Indigo brand. Most Hotel Indigo sites are in upmarket mid-tier cities which by definition will usually have a well regarded university nearby.

Graduate Cambridge is now bookable at hilton.com – see here. The name is now ‘Graduate by Hilton Cambridge‘.

Those of you who enjoyed it when it was a DoubleTree can now book it again, although it has had a substantial refurbishment. I’ve never stayed there but I have popped my head inside and it has a lovely location on the river bank.

Reward nights are capped at 60,000 points so it should be good value as a redemption over peak periods. Friday 20th September, for example, is £440 for cash (£500 if you want a cancellable room) or 60,000 points.

The Oxford property is not yet bookable via Hilton.

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How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (October 2024)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit and debit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

There are two dedicated Hilton Honors debit cards. These are especially attractive when spending abroad due to the 0% or 0.5% FX fee, depending on card.

You also receive FREE Hilton Honors status for as long as you hold the debit cards – Gold status with the Plus card and Silver status with the basic card. This is a great reason to apply even if you rarely use it.

We reviewed the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card here and the Hilton Honors Debit Card here. You can apply for either card here.

There is another way of getting Hilton Honors status, and earning Hilton Honors points, from a payment card.

Holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card.  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.  We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (40,000 bonus Amex points)

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 22nd October 2024, the bonus on American Express Business Platinum is increased to up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points, worth 80,000 Avios. You will receive 8 points per £1 spent for the first three months, on up to £10,000 of spending. Click here to read our full card review. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 22nd October 2024, the bonus on American Express Business Gold is increased to up to 40,000 Membership Rewards points, worth 40,000 Avios. You will receive 4 points per £1 spent for the first three months, on up to £10,000 of spending. The card is FREE for your first year. Click here to read our full card review. Click here to apply.

The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton points is 1:2.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)