by Hilton Knoxville
College-town boutique with heavy Tennessee Volunteers flair. Think orange and blue everywhere, vintage touches, sports memorabilia, and a lobby that feels more like a clubhouse than a hotel lobby. Fun and personality-forward rather than sleek.
Book a Family Suite (579 sq ft) if you have kids — it's significantly more spacious than standard rooms
Why It Matters
One of the only hotels in the country co-branded with an NFL legend — Peyton Manning's name and personal memorabilia are baked into the design of Saloon 16. The Vol Navy-inspired front desk, UT-themed room art, and campus-adjacent location make it the obvious choice for anything related to the University of Tennessee.
Graduate by Hilton Knoxville sits right on The Strip, the main drag flanking the University of Tennessee campus, and makes absolutely no attempt to be a generic hotel. The front desk is shaped like a boat (a nod to the UT Volunteer Navy), rooms come draped in orange, blue, and white with custom-made wallpapers and UT-themed art, and the whole place basically doubles as a shrine to Volunteer football. Then there's Saloon 16, a western-inspired bar co-created with Peyton Manning — actual memorabilia from his personal collection lines the walls. Rooms are compact by any luxury standard (most standard kings come in at 280–287 sq ft), and there's no pool, so don't come expecting resort amenities. But for a football weekend or a UT campus visit, you won't find a more on-point location.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
1 King 1 Bedroom Suite
A proper one-bedroom suite with a separate living area — shown in gallery photos with an L-shaped sofa and writing desk. More breathing room than the standard rooms, and the separate living space makes it the top pick for longer stays or anyone wanting to stretch out after a game day.
King
Graduate Family Room
The roomiest option at 579 sq ft — nearly double the standard rooms. Configured with one king bed plus two twin beds, making it genuinely practical for a family of four. Includes a tent and bean bags in the kids' area, making it the hotel's nod to kid-friendly Fun. The most spacious and best-value room type for families.
King + Two TwinsGraduate King Larger Room
A well-appointed standard king room with UT-themed custom artwork, blue and white color palette, and orange accents. Includes 49-inch HD TV, coffeemaker, in-room safe, free WiFi, and premium bedding. Compact but thoughtfully designed — this is a boutique room, not a sprawling suite.
KingGraduate King Oversized Room
A slightly larger version of the standard king, still sporting the same Tennessee-inspired design with orange dressers, blue velvet chairs, and campus-nod artwork. Same amenity set — 49-inch TV, coffeemaker, safe. A marginal size bump over the standard king.
King
Graduate Queen Queen Room
Two queen beds with blue pillows and the signature UT color scheme. Good for friends traveling together or families who don't need a separate suite. At 299 sq ft it's slightly roomier than the king rooms.
Two QueensThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The hotel regularly posts curated local events, adventures, and Knoxville happenings via their Facebook page (GraduateByHiltonKnoxville), acting as a local guide for guests.
Saloon 16 hosts live entertainment, game day specials, happy hours, and themed events throughout the year. The hotel promotes curated events and experiences tied to UT sporting events and Knoxville culture.
The University of Tennessee campus is literally steps away — Neyland Stadium at 0.5 miles, Thompson-Boling Arena at 0.6 miles. The hotel can guide guests around campus and point toward local landmarks like Circle Park and Torchbearer Plaza.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
One meeting room supporting various table layouts. Suitable for small groups and events. The hotel also has event/catering services.
Outdoor seating area available, including patio seating adjacent to Saloon 16.
Complimentary high-speed WiFi in all rooms and public areas.
Valet-only parking at $40/night with in/out privileges. Covered and secured. No self-parking available on-site. Oversized vehicles that exceed clearance are parked outside.
Up to two pets allowed. One-time non-refundable fee of $75 per pet per stay. Maximum weight 75 lbs.
Connecting rooms available upon request — useful for families or groups traveling together.
Hilton Digital Key available via the Hilton Honors app — skip the front desk and go straight to your room.
24-hour gym with treadmills and TV. Basic but functional — enough for a run or a quick workout. No pool on property.
BUILD YOUR GRADUATE BY HILTON KNOXVILLE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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