Maybe you’re dropping kids off at school, maybe you're an alum in for the big game; maybe you’re on campus for a conference or forum – maybe you’re just soaking in the lively atmosphere of a college town or its environs. But no matter what, you’re going to need a place to stay. And for the past several years, big hotel companies and universities alike are realizing that people like to stay in a hotel that’s connected to campus life.

In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin, hotels editor Christina Jelski and Adriana Niepa, the director of sales and marketing at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, talk about growth; The Hotel's relationship with the university; big brands like Hilton that cater to college life; how a "collegiate hotel" is its own special category; and what these hotels do to appeal to travelers outside of key milestone dates like graduation, parents' weekend and homecoming.

This episode was recorded Nov. 2, with a secondary section about the Charles Hotel recorded Nov. 6, and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Princess https://www.princess.com

Related links

Demand for hotel rooms near campus has brands giving it the old college try https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Demand-for-hotels-near-college-campuses

Hilton launches Undergraduate brand https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Hilton-launches-upper-midscale-Undergraduate-brand

Sports Illustrated hotel coming to Baton Rouge, near the LSU campus https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Sports-Illustrated-hotel-coming-to-Baton-Rouge

Derek Jeter invests in hospitality brand for college towns https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Derek-Jeter-becomes-investor-in-new-hospitality-concept-Alum

Big man on campus: Hilton to acquire Graduate Hotels (2024) https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Hilton-to-acquire-Graduate-Hotels

The Hotel at the University of Maryland https://www.thehotelumd.com/

The Charles Hotel in Cambridge, Mass. https://www.charleshotel.com/