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4-star hotel

Graduate by Hilton Knoxville

Stay at Graduate by Hilton Knoxville with vintage decor, free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly rooms, fitness center, and dining. Near Neyland Stadium and local attractions.

1706 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916, United States View on map
8.2/10
Very Good Based on 886 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Paid breakfast Paid parking Accessible Air-conditioned
What recent guests emphasize

Comfortable stays with a lively local vibe

Guests appreciate the hotel's convenient location near the University of Tennessee campus and Cumberland Avenue, its stylish vintage decor, and welcoming staff. While rooms are cozy and well-appointed, some mention tight space and minor maintenance issues. The hotel offers a vibrant atmosphere with a popular onsite saloon and easy access to local dining and attractions.

Guests often praise

  • Convenient location within walking distance to UTK campus and numerous restaurants.
  • Friendly, helpful, and welcoming staff, often highlighting specific team members.
  • Comfortable beds and thoughtfully decorated rooms featuring charming local and vintage touches.
  • Engaging lobby ambiance with a coffee bar and southern chic style offering relaxing spaces.
  • Pet-friendly policy appreciated by travelers with dogs.

Worth knowing

  • Guest rooms tend to be small, especially for groups larger than two, due to oversized beds.
  • Some reported minor cleanliness concerns and maintenance issues, such as stained bedding and lack of bathroom exhaust fans.
  • Valet parking is mandatory with a significant nightly fee, which can be costly during events.
  • Street noise may be noticeable on busy nights given the lively surrounding area.
  • Breakfast is paid and not included; the hotel does not provide a pool or airport shuttle service.

Best for

  • Visitors attending events at UTK or Neyland Stadium seeking close proximity and walkability.
  • Guests looking for a trendy, boutique-style hotel atmosphere with unique local character.
  • Pet owners traveling with dogs who want pet-friendly accommodations.
  • Travelers who enjoy onsite dining and bar options in a social, relaxed environment.
  • Those wanting easy access to arts, museums, and local eateries around Cumberland Avenue.
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About this property

Welcome to Graduate by Hilton Knoxville

Graduate by Hilton Knoxville offers a trendy stay with polished rooms that feature vintage decor, blending Southern chic style and local University of Tennessee themes. The hotel’s lobby and public areas provide a relaxed setting with plenty of seating for work or downtime, complemented by a cafe and a saloon-style restaurant and bar.

Located on Cumberland Avenue, the hotel is well positioned near the University of Tennessee campus, making it convenient for visitors attending events at Neyland Stadium or exploring nearby eateries and bars. The area is busy and lively, offering easy access to local attractions such as the Knoxville Museum of Art, the Sunsphere observation tower, and Zoo Knoxville.

Facilities include free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a fitness center, and provisions for pets and children, though some guests have noted the absence of a pool and airport shuttle. Paid parking is available, but visitors have mentioned the cost of valet parking can be high, especially during busy weekends. Room sizes tend to be on the smaller side, with comfortable beds and well-appointed bathrooms, although some guests have noted issues like steamy bathrooms without exhaust fans.

Guest feedback highlights friendly and helpful staff, a calm atmosphere suitable for studying or relaxing, and a convenient location within walking distance to campus and various dining options. While the hotel caters well to visitors looking for a mix of convenience and local character, it suits those comfortable with compact rooms and an urban setting. The overall rating of 4.1 from over 800 reviews reflects generally positive experiences with some practical considerations.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Paid breakfast
Paid parking
Accessible
Air-conditioned
Pet-friendly
Kid-friendly
Restaurant
Fitness center
Bar
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Pool
Business center
Airport shuttle
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

SW
Sheila Welch Apr 10, 2026
10

The Graduate Knoxville is situated on Cumberland Avenue where there are small shops and food chains like Chipotle, Cava, Whatsaburger and more. It is a very convenient stop because you can park and walk easily to a nice place to eat. The hotel also has a fun Saloon styled restaurant. The lobby is decorated in a Southern Chic fun style and plenty of places to sit and relax or work. The rooms are well appointed - albeit small but the beds are comfortable and if you travel with dogs this is the place to go. We had a little trouble with a chair in the room but the hotel staff were super responsive (Morgan and Caitlin (spelling?) were terrific). Everyone is so nice and welcoming. We traveled with our two labs and no problems.

SH
Shannon Hale Apr 10, 2026
10

Always friendly! So glad these kind people operate right behind our deli! Gus's Good Times Deli always welcomes folks they send over and we always try to send folks their way as well! If you're looking for a true taste of Knoxville on the University of Tennessee campus The Graduate is your spot!

VR
Vickie Rosone Apr 03, 2026
10

Have always heard great things about Graduate hotels and so happy I got to stay here. I booked the hotel back in the spring for parents weekend (fall) with Hilton points and cash. Was really expensive even doing it that way (over $500 per night + a lot of points). From the friendly staff at the front desk (all students from what I understand) to the really really cute, UTK themed lobby to beautifully appointed rooms (Smokey wallpaper in the bathroom, beautiful UTK prints over the beds), it was a great stay. Very convenient location to the campus (10 minute walk to the Student Union) as well as all of Cumberland, lots of food choices close by and great for a football weekend as you can walk everywhere and not have to worry about parking. Great, comfortable beds, nice shower and well lit bathroom (the hotel however should think about putting exhaust fans in the bathroom, very steamy and it will eventually ruin the wallpaper). Rooms are a little snug for 4 people as the beds are really oversized, but we definitely managed. Cute coffee bar in the lobby. Definitely want to stay again, if I can afford it!

D
Darcy Mar 20, 2026
8.0

After reading some of the other reviews I feel lucky with my stay here. My room was spacious and clean, but there were stains on the bed (I always pull up the sheets to check for bed bugs- which my room had none)- luckily there were two beds so I just took the other. I also had a hard time acquiring soap. Decor was very cute and it was walking distance to the university, which was convenient.

WR
Whitney Reamer Mar 14, 2026
10

I absolutely love it here!! best environment to do homework in! everyone is so kind, and the atmosphere is so calming! come get a coffee and study here! fav new study spot!

CD
Cris Deeter Jan 28, 2026
10

The Good: Great location. Quaint rooms. Very friendly and helpful staff. Enjoyed the saloon. Loved the nostalgia! The Less than Good: Mandatory $40/ night valet parking was unexpected. Can't imagine how much that is during football weekends. Lots of street noise on a busy night.

SD
Stacey Dawn Jan 20, 2026
10

Greta at the front desk is awesome. Very helpful, informative, and welcoming. Reece from valet is quick, professional, and handled everything smoothly.

DF
Daniel Feingold Jan 11, 2026
10

I’ve been to a lot of bars, but I’ve never had bartenders as great as Kat and Emma. Phenomenal service and great tequila shots. Everyone who comes here is doing it right! Peyton’s curds, very good!

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Graduate by Hilton Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Busy area around UTK campus with relaxed bars & eateries, Neyland Stadium football & McClung Museum.

  • Cumberland Ave EB and Melrose Pl 2 min Walk
  • Cumberland WB before 18th St 3 min Walk
  • UT Transfer Point 9 min Walk
  • McGhee Tyson Airport 20 min Car
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Tennessee. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Knoxville Museum of Art 1,836 reviews

Knoxville Museum of Art

1050 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916, United States

4.7 · Art Museum
Sunsphere 2,353 reviews

Sunsphere

810 Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States

4.5 · Historical Landmark
Zoo Knoxville 12,528 reviews

Zoo Knoxville

3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr, Knoxville, TN 37914, United States

4.5 · Zoo
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