See inside Alabama’s first Graduate Hotel, filled with college memorabilia

Both comfortable and luxurious, the state of Alabama’s first Graduate Hotel by Hilton celebrates the history and fandom of Auburn University.

The five-story, 177-room hotel officially opened Friday, Sept. 27, on Magnolia Avenue, where Anders Bookstore once stood. It’s across the street from campus and one block from legendary Toomer’s Corner and downtown Auburn.

Decor includes nods to all things Auburn, with bronze eagles, tiger-print throw pillows, orange and blue furniture and tiles, fun murals, and custom wallpaper. But the most obvious homages to Auburn are the bars:

• The War Eagle Supper Club, a rooftop bar that reimagines the original dive bar into a chic space for food, drinks, live music and good company. Read details about the club here.
• Bo Jackson’s Beans is a coffee and cocktail bar located in the lobby that was “created in partnership with professional sports legend, Auburn University alumnus and Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson.” according to hotel press materials.

“Auburn is centered around one of the South’s largest universities, so we have been constantly inspired by the city’s incredibly engaged alumni network and even stronger football fan base,” said Kevin Osterhaus, president of Global Lifestyle Brands at Hilton. “Our goal was to create a space that pays homage to the people, culture and enduring heritage of Auburn that makes this place truly special for guests, students and alumni… Every detail is carefully curated for a authentic experience that is undeniably Auburn. »

The property, which covers nearly 140,000 square feet, includes 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

Some other details on the site:

Reception desk: Features “a custom installation featuring a football field with a soaring eagle – a reference to the beloved pre-game tradition where the crowd chants the battle cry “War Eagle” as an eagle takes flight across the field before kickoff.

Bo Jackson’s Beans: Features a huge wooden relief of Bo with football and baseball equipment and bar stools with Bo’s jersey number, 34, embroidered on them.

Entrance hall: Offers “a designated common work space open to visitors, locals and students” including a long work table. The lobby features custom chandeliers made from footballs, baseball bats and gloves “reminiscent of the sports Bo played professionally,” the press release states.

Guest rooms: Featuring “an eclectic mix of gingham, stripes and floral designs in the Auburn University color palette,” the rooms also pay homage to Auburn traditions, including eagle-inspired sconces, heads personalized bed linen representing a Toomer’s oak tree and a tiger print bolster. pillows, a lamp on the credenza commemorating Bo Jackson’s legendary play “Bo Over the Top” during the Iron Bowl, a portrait of one of Auburn’s most famous graduates, Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer, and interior war art The Eagle Supper Club bus and Toomer’s Corner covered in toilet paper after a victory.

Guest baths: Include “custom orange and navy hexagon tiles and wallpaper depicting local staples and Alabama folklore hand-drawn by artist Taylor Rushing.” The bathroom features eagle claw sconces and custom wallpaper featuring the Wreck Tech Parade, Charles Barkley, John Heisman, Toomer’s Corner, Toomer’s Lemonade, the Slush Bus Supper Club and much more.

“Every graduate starts from the same foundations – research, tradition and culture – but each outcome is totally different,” said Ben Weprin, founder of Graduate Hotels and CEO of AJ Capital Partners. “For Auburn, the result is the physical manifestation of what it means to be an Auburn Tiger…you will feel the magic from the second you walk through the door.”