Pros

  • Hip boutique property set in 19th-century foundry and farmhouse
  • 10-minute walk to University of Georgia campus and Downtown Athens Historic District
  • Stylish rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, Keurig coffeemakers, and Malin + Goetz toiletries
  • Suites have separate living rooms, vintage arcade games, and wet bars
  • Popular live music venue and bar for local beers and Southern fare
  • Inviting cafe adjoins the trendy lobby
  • Outdoor splash pool
  • Fitness facilities and a spa
  • Free area shuttle and bikes to borrow
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
  • Pet-friendly
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Cons

  • Bathrooms are small
  • Pool and fitness facilities are small
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Bottom Line

This fun and funky upper-middle-range boutique hotel features hip decor and inviting interiors incuding a coffeeshop and living room-like lobby. The main attraction here is The Foundry, the property's live music venue and bar that pairs local brews with Southern-style fare. The hotel offers a solid set of features, including a spa, outdoor splash pool, fitness room, and freebies like bike rentals and an area shuttle. Guest room are stylishly clad and loaded with amenities like flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and Malin + Goetz toiletries. Suites add vintage arcade games and separate living rooms, but bathrooms are small. For something even closer to the University of Georgia (it's a 10-minute walk), the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel is situated right on campus.

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Graduate Athens

Scene

Hip and trendy boutique hotel

Occupying a 19th-century foundry and farmhouse, this hip hotel impresses with colorful, trendy interiors and a solid set of features. The stylish spaces pop with vibrant hues, vintage art, and eclectic furnishings, while the atmosphere is a mix of Southern charm and hipster haven. The lobby combines exposed brick walls and wooden floors with Persian rugs. The gallery-style wall of mirrors, Edison lightbulbs strung up like twinkle lights, and a hodgepodge of seating like plaid and yellow leather sofas, floral armchairs, and a long communal wooden table make up the space. The adjoining cafe is equally inviting with its olive green walls studded with colorful vintage art.

At the heart of the hotel is The Foundry, a live music venue and bar that contributes to the atmosphere of the place, making for a fun and lively vibe, especially on event nights. It draws plenty of locals and non-hotel guests alike. A large portion of the clientele here is made up of University of Georgia visitors, as well as a mix of leisure and business travelers.

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Location

Quiet location a 10-minute walk to the University of Georgia campus and lots of dining options

One of the main draws here is the hotel's proximity to the University of Georgia, which is a 10-minute walk away. It's situated just on the outskirts of downtown Athens and across the street from a small park. The Downtown Athens Historic District is an eight-minute walk from here, and home to loads of dining options. Many of the city's other attractions are a short drive away, including the Georgia Museum of Natural History (six-minute drive), the Georgia Museum of Art (seven-minute drive), and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia (10-minute drive). The Athens-Ben Epps Airport is around a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Atlanta and its airport are an hour and 20 minutes to two hours away, depending on traffic.

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Rooms

Stylish rooms have flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-fridges; suites add living rooms and extras like vintage arcade games

Like the public spaces, rooms are stylish and hip, though there are two distinct and differing styles: Graduate Rooms and Suites have a rouged-up dorm room vibe, while Hoyt House Rooms and Suites, situated in the former farmhouse, are more classic in style. The hip and quirky Graduate Rooms are dotted with eye-catching colors, like turmeric-hued tufted patent leather headboards, Georgia pine green walls, and a medley of plaid patterns courtesy of blankets, pillows, and armchairs. The spaces are also peppered with scholastic touches that are a nod to nearby University of Georgia, including bulldog lamps (the school's mascot) and chalkboards scrawled with equations and science facts. Funky furnishings include glass, wood, and crocodile skin nightstands topped with old-school rotary phones and TV stands adorned with painted portraits. In contrast, Hoyt House rooms exhibit classic Southern charm, garnishing soft neutral shades with colorful floral headboards, striped window shades, and vintage art on the walls.

All rooms have desks as well as flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, retro-style Crosley radios, and free Wi-Fi. Suites have living rooms and add perks like record players (and a supply of a couple of vinyl records), vintage arcade games, and wet bars. 

Bathrooms are small, but sleek and modern. They're equipped with walk-in showers or shower/tub combos and large dispensers of Malin + Goetz toiletries. Some rooms overlook the parking lot. 

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Features

Live music venue and bar, inviting cafe, splash pool, small fitness facilities, and freebies like bikes and area shuttle

Features here as fun and convenient as the rooms. The hotel's main attraction is The Foundry, a live music venue and bar. It serves local beers and Southern-style fare. There's also a coffeeshop adjoining the lobby that serves breakfast and lunch bites like sandwiches. The Foundry, as well as several other event spaces including a ballroom and an outdoor pavilion, are available to rent for various functions. Wedding services and catering are available.

There's a 24/7 fitness room that's equipped with a handful of machines, as well as a small outdoor plunge pool. Other wellness features include a spa that offers an facials, massages, and nail services. Other amenities include a free area shuttle as well as free bike rentals. This pet-friendly hotel is welcoming to furry friends -- dogs receive bowls and blankets, as well as free Bark Boxes.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Outdoor parking is free. 

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Things You Should Know About Graduate Athens

Also Known As

  • Foundry Park Inn and Spa

Address

295 E Dougherty St, Athens, Georgia 30601-2610, United States

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Graduate Athens

Scene

Hip and trendy boutique hotel

Occupying a 19th-century foundry and farmhouse, this hip hotel impresses with colorful, trendy interiors and a solid set of features. The stylish spaces pop with vibrant hues, vintage art, and eclectic furnishings, while the atmosphere is a mix of Southern charm and hipster haven. The lobby combines exposed brick walls and wooden floors with Persian rugs. The gallery-style wall of mirrors, Edison lightbulbs strung up like twinkle lights, and a hodgepodge of seating like plaid and yellow leather sofas, floral armchairs, and a long communal wooden table make up the space. The adjoining cafe is equally inviting with its olive green walls studded with colorful vintage art.

At the heart of the hotel is The Foundry, a live music venue and bar that contributes to the atmosphere of the place, making for a fun and lively vibe, especially on event nights. It draws plenty of locals and non-hotel guests alike. A large portion of the clientele here is made up of University of Georgia visitors, as well as a mix of leisure and business travelers.

See More Scene

Location

Quiet location a 10-minute walk to the University of Georgia campus and lots of dining options

One of the main draws here is the hotel's proximity to the University of Georgia, which is a 10-minute walk away. It's situated just on the outskirts of downtown Athens and across the street from a small park. The Downtown Athens Historic District is an eight-minute walk from here, and home to loads of dining options. Many of the city's other attractions are a short drive away, including the Georgia Museum of Natural History (six-minute drive), the Georgia Museum of Art (seven-minute drive), and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia (10-minute drive). The Athens-Ben Epps Airport is around a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Atlanta and its airport are an hour and 20 minutes to two hours away, depending on traffic.

See More Location

Rooms

Stylish rooms have flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-fridges; suites add living rooms and extras like vintage arcade games

Like the public spaces, rooms are stylish and hip, though there are two distinct and differing styles: Graduate Rooms and Suites have a rouged-up dorm room vibe, while Hoyt House Rooms and Suites, situated in the former farmhouse, are more classic in style. The hip and quirky Graduate Rooms are dotted with eye-catching colors, like turmeric-hued tufted patent leather headboards, Georgia pine green walls, and a medley of plaid patterns courtesy of blankets, pillows, and armchairs. The spaces are also peppered with scholastic touches that are a nod to nearby University of Georgia, including bulldog lamps (the school's mascot) and chalkboards scrawled with equations and science facts. Funky furnishings include glass, wood, and crocodile skin nightstands topped with old-school rotary phones and TV stands adorned with painted portraits. In contrast, Hoyt House rooms exhibit classic Southern charm, garnishing soft neutral shades with colorful floral headboards, striped window shades, and vintage art on the walls.

All rooms have desks as well as flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, retro-style Crosley radios, and free Wi-Fi. Suites have living rooms and add perks like record players (and a supply of a couple of vinyl records), vintage arcade games, and wet bars. 

Bathrooms are small, but sleek and modern. They're equipped with walk-in showers or shower/tub combos and large dispensers of Malin + Goetz toiletries. Some rooms overlook the parking lot. 

See More Rooms

Features

Live music venue and bar, inviting cafe, splash pool, small fitness facilities, and freebies like bikes and area shuttle

Features here as fun and convenient as the rooms. The hotel's main attraction is The Foundry, a live music venue and bar. It serves local beers and Southern-style fare. There's also a coffeeshop adjoining the lobby that serves breakfast and lunch bites like sandwiches. The Foundry, as well as several other event spaces including a ballroom and an outdoor pavilion, are available to rent for various functions. Wedding services and catering are available.

There's a 24/7 fitness room that's equipped with a handful of machines, as well as a small outdoor plunge pool. Other wellness features include a spa that offers an facials, massages, and nail services. Other amenities include a free area shuttle as well as free bike rentals. This pet-friendly hotel is welcoming to furry friends -- dogs receive bowls and blankets, as well as free Bark Boxes.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Outdoor parking is free. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Cable

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.