MCLEAN, Virginia — Hilton Garden Inn Laramie, a fixture of the University of Wyoming Plaza since it opened in 2008, will soon undergo a complete transformation to become a Graduate by Hilton. The hotel operates on a long-term ground lease agreement with the university and is connected to the UW Conference Center.
The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting humanitarian works worldwide, has announced that the hotel — one of its Humanitarian Hotels — will become a Graduate by Hilton property. The renovation will take place over the 2026-27 winter season, with the newly renovated and rebranded Graduate by Hilton Laramie set to be unveiled in spring 2027. Graduate Laramie will be among the first post-acquisition conversions in the U.S. and will undergo substantial renovations to embody the Graduate brand’s signature spirit.
Renovations will feature new, Western-themed guest rooms; Wyoming-inspired public spaces; subtle UW and Laramie storytelling throughout the hotel’s design; and a fresh, expanded restaurant concept. Beyond aesthetics, the transformation of the hotel will unlock significant economic benefits, and it will make the UW Conference Center more competitive for regional group business.
Graduate Laramie is one of three Humanitarian Hotels owned by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation; 100% of net profits from each hotel support charitable causes around the globe and offer philanthropic programming for employees, guests and local nonprofits.
Kevin Doyle, chief operating officer of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, emphasizes that the renovation will elevate the experience for all guests, deepen the property’s integration into campus life and local culture, and directly benefit the community.
“From the moment you walk in the lobby, Graduate Laramie will reflect the community’s spirit and strength and, through our Humanitarian Hotel model, also will directly enhance the lives of people at the University of Wyoming and surrounding Albany County communities,” he said.
The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation has developed a close partnership with UW since taking ownership of Hilton Garden Inn Laramie in October 2023. The foundation has supported a variety of university initiatives, ranging from funding grants for university organizations focused on food insecurity and veterans’ services to create a new scholarship fund for students of low socioeconomic means.
The hotel will also provide career development opportunities for UW students, which is critical to the state’s future, as tourism is the second-largest industry in Wyoming.
In addition to using hotel profits to provide financial support to UW and its students, the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation has also provided grants to local organizations helping community members meet their basic needs. The hotel also partners with Laramie-based ARK Regional Services to hire individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Acquired by Hilton in 2024, Graduate by Hilton is a lifestyle brand with handcrafted hotels located in university-anchored towns across the United States and United Kingdom. Each hotel is created with a focus on local history and nostalgia, from the design touchpoints to the culinary experiences, capturing the unique spirit of each university and reflecting the cultures and traditions of the communities the hotels call home.
For more information, visit hilton.com or pultefamilyfoundation.org.
