Hilton is said to be in talks to acquire Graduate Hotels, according to a report from Bloomberg. The boutique brand specializes in college-town hotels.
Bloomberg, citing intel from "people with knowledge of the matter," said a potential deal would not include a takeover of Graduate Hotels' real estate assets.
A Hilton spokesperson said the group has "declined to comment on market rumors or speculation," while a Graduate Hotels spokesperson said the company is "not sharing any comments at this time."
Launched in 2014 by real estate investment firm AJ Capital Partners, Graduate Hotels focuses on college markets in the U.S. and U.K., with a portfolio of 33 hotels.
Among the brand's most recent additions are the Graduate Palo Alto, which opened near Stanford University last year, and the Graduate Princeton, which is on track to open in New Jersey this spring.
Plans are in the pipeline for Graduate hotels in Austin, Texas; Auburn, Alabama; and Dallas.