Take a look at Graduate New York, Roosevelt Island’s first hotel

That of New York Roosevelt Island remnants of the city’s best-kept secrets, a place that most out-of-towners (and sometimes even locals) don’t know or care about. That’s exactly what makes it perfect.

For decades, this narrow stretch of land in the East River quietly harbored a rich history, first as an asylum and later as an experimental urban space. There was a time when Roosevelt Island was less an island and more an idea – about the unwanted, the outcast, the temporarily forgotten. Hospitals and asylums sprang up along the city’s banks, almost hidden, as if they were secrets hidden just beyond the city’s reach.

But slowly life started to seep back in. A bridge was added that carried more than just cars, followed by the famous Roosevelt Island tram, a gondola that hung over the river and carried people who were half tourists and half newcomers. What had once been an island for people that no one thought about became an island that people started to think about. Buildings with names like Riverwalk sprang up and suddenly there were places to go and things to do. High-rise developers moved in, as did parks, memorials and the gleaming new campus of Cornell Tech, all drawn by the island’s strange in-betweens: the city, but not the city.

Now, New York graduate has landed as the island’s very first hotel, offering a rare blend of tranquility and proximity to the energy of Manhattan, giving guests a rare opportunity to experience New York from a different perspective. With direct access to Manhattan via the F Train, the scenic Roosevelt Island Tram, and even the NYC Ferry, it’s an urban oasis that seems cosmopolitan but can be reached in just minutes. The hotel, part of the Graduate by Hilton collection, brings a unique blend of academic nostalgia and futuristic, technologically advanced design that perfectly reflects the campus atmosphere. (Read more about Graduate’s unique design approach here.)

Designed by architects Snøhetta and Stonehill Taylor, Graduate New York makes a lasting first impression with a quirky, sophisticated style. The lobby, lined with towering bookshelves and punctuated by a striking Flyboy sculpture by Hebru Brantley, sets the tone for a stay where comfort and curiosity collide. Roosevelt Island’s pharmacy-inspired reception and photography gallery offer a glimpse into local history and adds a scientific touch. Upstairs, the Panorama Room– a rooftop lounge and bar with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Manhattan and Queens skylines – draws crowds from across the water on both sides.

Each of the 224 rooms combines comfort with funky design elements. Subtle nods to the technologically advanced campus location can be found, from lamps with Morse code messages to neon lighting inspired by the inventions of Cornell alumni. Rich textures and warm tones make the rooms inviting, while floor-to-ceiling windows offer river views. Art from local artists, such as the Dutch-inspired tapestry sofas and portraits of island icons like Mae West and Nellie Bly, gives each room character and a sense of place that is distinctly Roosevelt Island.

And since this is a Graduate property after all, you’ll find hints of Cornell’s Big Red color scheme throughout the hotel, a tribute to the brand’s collegiate connection.

The best part? Returning to the island at the end of a busy day and experiencing a rare silence that is almost impossible to find in New York, even for someone who has lived there for more than ten years. That may be the real value of Graduate New York.