Those with an affinity for the University of Oregon won’t want to miss their chance to stay at Graduate by Hilton Eugene, a unique property situated in the heart of TrackTown USA. Adorned with the school’s feathered mascot in the most unexpected of places, read on to discover if this duck-loving property is all its quacked up to be.
The Vibe
Maximalist. From the neon signage adorning the front desk to the unmissable giant wooden duck that simultaneously acts as a greeter the moment you walk in the door; I totally dug the vibe of this hotel. Around the corner, sports-themed memorabilia and props line the walls and creep into shared spaces while fun, albeit odd, touches are littered throughout the lobby — and by that, I mean there was a life-sized mannequin of Sloth from the Goonies by the elevator.
How I Felt
Like exploring. Graduate Eugene’s hip nature had me setting out to discover other ways it was different from the neutral-walled, sleekly furnished properties I was accustomed to. In doing so, I’m happy to report I noticed more shining details throughout the building including a slightly menacing duck-themed wallpaper in the lower-level restroom, a studious pencil wall used as a backsplash at the onsite coffee shop and a framed photo of a dog adorned in crew socks and sneakers — the 90s were a wild time, man. Pair this with the property’s proximity to a slew of trendy shops and restaurants and I was eager to fill my downtime visiting local coffee joints and perusing the sights. Not to mention, Eugene has a Voodoo Doughnuts, yum!
The Digs
Um, a little spooky. I’m not going to lie, when I arrived at my room around midnight I was a little taken aback by the dark wood paneling and the unique decor which included a funky mid-century modern lamp that looked like what I can only describe as an Egyptian statue with wings. Exhausted and sleepy, my first thought was something along the lines of, “oh, no, no, no,” however, what began as hesitation grew into appreciation over the next few days as I came to appreciate how the room leaned full tilt into its college nostalgia theme with locally-inspired touches in the form of custom wallpaper (green and yellow ducks in the bathroom), a massive “Track Town” throw pillow, a pinecone lamp and more.
The Agenda
I spent three days in Eugene attending Tourism Cares’ North America Meaningful Travel Summit in the Willamette Valley. As such, my days were spent sitting in on educational sessions, networking with travel pros from across the industry and participating in a downtown mural tour. The event focused largely on how tourism and locals can coexist and the importance of highlighting culturally-significant experiences as well as ways we, as members of the travel industry, can work to make travel more accessible to all.
The Eats
Although I didn’t have the chance to dine at Graduate Eugene’s onsite eateries — save for a fruit cup and the provided conference breakfast — the hotel is home to two restaurants: Poindexter Coffee, a place for coffee and snacks, and Trophy Room, a spot for lunch, dinner and drinks.
Why I Would Go Back
I would go back to Graduate Eugene for its fun atmosphere and central location. While I was able to check off a few fun sights off my travel wish list, I know I barely scratched the surface of the wonder the Willamette Valley has to offer. From award-winning wineries and farmsteads to sprawling natural areas and, of course, more Voodoo Doughnuts, I would go back to this unique destination in a heartbeat.
Interested in discovering additional hotels with college charm? Click here to learn more about Graduate by Hilton properties.
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