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Graduate Columbus

Columbus • Short North Arts District • OPTIMIZE

avg. $181 / night

Includes $10 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

Hilton Honors™ property

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Cash back

5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

Credit card points

Credit and debit card charges are processed directly by the hotel (i.e. not PressBeyond), meaning that any travel-specific credit card points or incentives that you normally get as a cardholder for direct hotel bookings are preserved

Hotel loyalty points

Points accrual and status eligibility with major hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and others

Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Location

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At a glance

A 2021 Short North hotel wrapped in botanical murals, layered with Ohio State references and campus-inspired interiors.

Best for: Ohio State alumni and Midwest nostalgia travelers

Highlights:

  • Full-height botanical mural wraps the eastern facade
  • Scarlet plaid walls and Ohio State iconography throughout
  • Ground-floor bar with hand-drawn comic-strip ceiling illustration
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PB hotel design editorial

Planted at the intersection of High Street and Buttles Avenue in Columbus's Short North Arts District, a cream-paneled ten-story tower announces itself less through architecture than through the full-height mural wrapped around its eastern facade — a swirl of blue botanicals and figures that sets the tone for Graduate Columbus before you walk through the door. Opened in 2021 and designed by architecture firm Model Group, the 197-room property commits fully to the Graduate Hotels formula of place-specific collegiate nostalgia, here channeled through the lens of Ohio State University and the broader mythology of the Buckeye State. The interiors, handled by Graduate's in-house creative team under Roman and Williams co-founder Robin Standefer, layer scarlet plaid wallcovering against exposed concrete ceilings and dark-stained oak floors, Ohio state flag throws draped across upholstered leather headboards, and framed astronaut portraiture nodding to John Glenn's Columbus origins. The ground-floor bar runs a long curved oak counter beneath a ceiling covered in hand-drawn comic-strip illustration — a register closer to a student union than a hotel lobby bar, furnished with leather-and-chrome stools and terrazzo café tables. The restaurant beyond shifts mood with exposed brick walls, a checkerboard tile floor in charcoal and white, oversized red wing chairs, and a chandelier fashioned from clustered brass instruments — marching band iconography treated as fine art object. Earnest without being naive, the whole effect lands somewhere between campus archive and art installation.

Travel notes

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About

Graduate Columbus, located in the Short North Arts District near Ohio State University, offers a stay rich in Buckeye traditions. Guest rooms in scarlet and gray honor legends like John Glenn and Jesse Owens, with designs inspired by Brutus Buckeye and the O-H-I-O chant, making it the perfect base for exploring the city.

Amenities

Internet

Kids Activities

Suites

Free Internet

Wheelchair Access

Restaurant

Bar/Lounge

Pets Allowed

Wifi

Public Wifi

Graduate Columbus Reviews

415 reviews

"Great location, friendly staff and clean rooms Check in was easy and staff was great valet parking only 40.00 but it’s easy We had a double bed room which isn’t super huge but it was fine for our one night stay Close to bars, shops and restaurants"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 27, 2026

"Great location in the short north area of Columbus. Only about a 8 minute uber to campus/ $10! Hotel is super cute themed OSU. Comfortable beds and linens. Towels were super thick. Stayed here for orientation so was inexpensive compared to game weekends or move in rates."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 15, 2026

"Extremely clean room and very friendly staff. The experience exceeded all my expectations ."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jun 29, 2026

"My husband and I have stayed here several times. The front desk staff are always friendly and very helpful. The rooms are clean and decorated in the OSU/Ohio theme which is fun. I love the side room with all the instruments hanging from the ceiling because The Ohio State University does have the best damn band in the land! I would definitely stay here again."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jun 24, 2026

"I had friends and family stay here and I got married on the terrace on the second floor. Here is my overall experience of staying and working with Graduate Columbus. Location: Getting here is easy. Just off the I-70, Graduate Columbus is nestled in the heart of the short north just a short walk to the convention center, arena district, or OSU campus. The hotel is valet-only parking was located behind the building and cost $40 a night, which after checking other hotels in the area, is comparable. Staying inner city, I expected to pay for parking so not an issue at all. Hotel: I was greeted by cheery front desk staff when I walked in. The lobby is adorable, with a Mount Rushmore painting of "OSU greats" on the wall, band instruments hanging from the ceiling, and books everywhere as statement pieces. My wedding guests loved having the attached Shake Shack and Homage Bar for quick food and drinks for their rooms. Check in was a breeze and elevators were conveniently located close to the front desk. Rooms: Small but comfortable. I think I had the best sleep of my life staying at this hotel as their beds, pillows, and blankets were so comfortable. I loved the white noise of the traffic on High St and the complimentary Hilton Honors waters already chilled in the mini fridge. The state of Ohio pennant blanket and John Glenn chair were fun touches to the room giving great character. Wedding/Meeting spaces: Floor two held the meeting rooms and they have two fairly large ones, both having terraces that look over High St. The hotel was very flexible with me and allowed me to get in early to the rooms to setup my entire wedding the day before and even allowed the flexibility to clean up the next morning. The entire process was seamless and during the event, they made sure my guests had everything they needed. My wedding guests could not get over the location and unique-ness of the hotel and the homage to all things Ohio State. Overall: I love graduate hotels and Columbus is a great location surrounded by lots to do."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jun 24, 2026

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