Hotel
Best Western Plus University Park Inn
State College
A Best Western Plus a short drive from campus and downtown. A budget-friendly chain option.
Why Stay Here
A lower-cost base if you don't mind driving in.
Where to Stay in State College, PA
12 hotels and B&Bs, from downtown to campus to a short drive out.
By Matt Glick · Updated October 30, 2026
State College has about a dozen hotels and a handful of B&Bs within a short drive of downtown. On a regular weekend you'll have plenty of options. On a Penn State football weekend or a graduation weekend, prices rise sharply and rooms sell out, so book as early as you can.
Each listing below has the address or area, a price tier (budget-friendly, mid-range or splurge) and a short note on who it suits. Prices change too often to list, so check current rates when you book.
Need food near your hotel? The restaurant guide covers every area of town. Want coffee first? See the café guide. Planning activities? Check things to do.
Booking Tips
- Football weekends: Book as early as you can. Prices rise sharply and rooms sell out, even at budget-friendly hotels. Check the events calendar for game dates.
- Graduation: May and December ceremonies fill hotels almost as fast as football. Book as soon as you know the date.
- Location trade-offs: Downtown hotels are walkable but usually cost more. Chain hotels outside downtown cost less, but you will need to drive. Bellefonte is about 9 miles away and can have rooms when State College is full.
- Parking: Policies vary, especially downtown. Confirm parking when you book and ask about game-day lot access.
Hours change often, so check each place's website before you go.
How we choose
Places are chosen by the editor, Matt Glick, based on visits and local knowledge. Nobody pays to be listed. Labels like 'Our pick' are editorial opinions, not ratings. Spotted something out of date? Contact us.
All 12 Hotels & B&Bs
Listed A–Z. Switch to "By area" to group them by part of town.
Sort:
Budget-friendly
Boutique HotelOur pick
Carnegie House
100 Cricklewood Dr, State College
A 21-room boutique hotel on Cricklewood Drive in State College, with on-site dining.
Why Stay Here
A quieter, more personal alternative to the larger chain hotels.
Hotel
Comfort Suites near Penn State
State College
A chain hotel with suite-style rooms outside downtown. You'll need a car to get downtown or to campus.
Why Stay Here
Suite-style rooms suit families who want a bit more space.
Hotel
Graduate by Hilton State College
125 S Atherton St, State College (downtown)
Formerly the Atherton Hotel, it became Graduate State College in 2019 and is now Graduate by Hilton State College. A Penn State-themed hotel on South Atherton Street at the edge of downtown.
Why Stay Here
Walkable to downtown, with a school-spirit theme that alumni tend to enjoy.
Hotel
Hampton Inn State College
State College
A Hampton Inn a short drive from campus and downtown. A predictable, budget-friendly chain option.
Why Stay Here
You know what you're getting, usually at a lower price than downtown.
Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn State College
State College
A Hilton Garden Inn outside the downtown core. A familiar mid-range chain option.
Why Stay Here
Good if you're driving in and want a predictable chain hotel.
Boutique HotelOur pick
Hotel State College
100 W College Ave, State College (downtown)
A small boutique hotel at 100 W College Ave, above The Corner Room and Allen Street Grill. Downtown restaurants and campus are a short walk away.
Why Stay Here
For visitors who want to be in the middle of downtown and walk everywhere.
Hotel
Hyatt Place State College
State College
A Hyatt Place outside the downtown core. A familiar mid-range chain option.
Why Stay Here
Good for business travelers and anyone who wants a predictable chain hotel.
Bed & BreakfastWorth the drive
Reynolds Mansion B&B
Bellefonte (about 9 miles from State College)
A bed and breakfast in a historic mansion in Bellefonte, about 9 miles from State College.
Why Stay Here
A B&B stay with character, and a good fallback when State College hotels are full.
Hotel
Scholar State College, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
205 E Beaver Ave, State College (downtown)
A Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel on East Beaver Ave in downtown State College.
Why Stay Here
A downtown base within walking distance of restaurants and campus.
Historic HotelLocal favorite
The Nittany Lion Inn
200 W Park Ave, State College (on campus)
A historic hotel on Penn State's campus, now owned and managed by Scholar Hotels. Triplett's, a casual bar and restaurant, is inside.
Why Stay Here
Good for graduations, reunions and anyone who wants to stay on campus. Book far ahead for big weekends.
Golf Resort
Toftrees Golf Resort
1 Country Club Ln, State College (Toftrees)
A golf resort on the north side of town, home to The Field Burger & Tap.
Why Stay Here
Space and quiet away from downtown, with a restaurant on-site.
Budget-Friendly Hotels
The lower-cost options are chain hotels outside downtown. You'll need a car, but they usually cost less than downtown hotels. On football and graduation weekends, even these get expensive and sell out.
Mid-Range Hotels
Where most visitors land. Hotel State College, Graduate by Hilton (formerly the Atherton Hotel) and Scholar State College are downtown and walkable. Hilton Garden Inn and Hyatt Place are familiar chains a short drive out.
Graduate by Hilton State College
125 S Atherton St, State College (downtown)
Hilton Garden Inn State College
State College
Hotel State College
100 W College Ave, State College (downtown)
Hyatt Place State College
State College
Scholar State College, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
205 E Beaver Ave, State College (downtown)
Splurge Stays
Stays with more character: the Nittany Lion Inn on campus, Carnegie House on Cricklewood Drive, Toftrees on the north side, and Reynolds Mansion B&B in Bellefonte, about 9 miles away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hotels in State College
As early as you can. Prices rise sharply and rooms sell out on football and graduation weekends. If State College is full, look at Bellefonte and other nearby towns.
Hotel State College (100 W College Ave), Graduate by Hilton State College (125 S Atherton St) and Scholar State College (205 E Beaver Ave) are downtown. The Nittany Lion Inn is on campus.
The Atherton Hotel became Graduate State College in 2019. It is now Graduate by Hilton State College, at 125 S Atherton St.
Carnegie House is a 21-room boutique hotel with on-site dining on Cricklewood Drive in State College. Reynolds Mansion is a B&B in Bellefonte, about 9 miles away.
Policies vary, especially downtown. Confirm parking when you book, and ask about game-day lot access.
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