Graduate Cambridge hotel now bookable via Hilton
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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 (April 2025)
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.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 30th April 2025, the annual fee on the basic Hilton Honors debit card is halved from £60 to £30. The sign-up bonus is also easier to earn – you need to spend £1,000 either in the UK or abroad within three months. The usual bonus rule requires you to spend the full £1,000 outside the UK.
NEW: Hilton Honors Plus Debit
10,000 bonus points, Hilton Gold status and NO FX fees Read our full review
NEW: Hilton Honors Debit
2,500 bonus points, Hilton Silver status and 0.5% FX fees Read our full review
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.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
The Platinum Card from American Express
80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review
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)
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
and for small business owners:
- American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
- American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)
The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton Honors points is 1:2.
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