The Classic Stillwater, OK HotelA Georgian Retreat Nestled In OSU
Capturing the OSU academic community’s rich traditions, this gracious Georgian boutique has long been the classic Stillwater, OK Hotel for students, alumni, and visiting dignitaries. Earning its place among the Historic Hotels of America with beautifully renovated accommodations, attentive service, and thoughtful amenities, guests here are welcomed in with old-world hospitality in a distinctly refreshed setting.
HISTORICALLYRooted In OSU
Dubbed the “Waldorf of the West” when its doors first opened in 1950, the Atherton Hotel—then named the Union Hotel—made history, emerging as the first purpose-built hotel located in a university’s student union.
Delighting students, alumni, and supporters with its grand architecture, stately bricks, and ornate cornices, the inside boasted equally stunning features for its time—including wall-to-wall carpeting, air conditioning, private baths, guest-dial telephone service, an automatic elevator, and more.
Undergoing a major lobby-to-roof restoration process in 2001, this landmark retreat was refreshed and reintroduced as The Atherton in 2004, honoring Bill Atherton, an OSU graduate who spearheaded the $6 million effort. Following its selection for membership in the esteemed Historic Hotels of America program, the hotel once again elevated its experience by unveiling The Ranchers Club in 2005, an upscale dining experience to match the hotel’s newly refined sophistication.
Over the last decade, The Atherton has continued to pursue avenues that ensure its legacy of distinction remains intact for generations, including a management agreement with Persimmon Ridge Properties—owned by OSU alumni—as well as an reimagination of the 69 current rooms designed to underscore its intention of operating as a full-service, boutique hotel.
Over 700 Acres of Oklahoma Beauty
Spanning a massive stretch of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University’s campus draws on brick-laden, Georgian-style architecture and picturesque landscaping across much of its 700-acre campus—evident beyond our hotel and carrying into many other university landmarks, including Old Central, the Student Union, and the Edmon Low Library.
getting herecoming to visit
Located an hour’s drive from Oklahoma City and Tulsa, The Atherton is located in Stillwater, connected to Oklahoma State University’s Student Union.
From Tulsa
- Take I-244W to Hwy #412 (Cimarron Turnpike).
- Take Hwy #412 (Cimarron Turnpike) and go 60 miles west to the Stillwater exit.
- Take the Stillwater exit and go 8 miles to the Perkins Road exit.
- Take the Perkins Road exit and go 7 miles south to 6th Avenue.
- Turn right on 6th Avenue, go to Hester Street (5th traffic light), then turn right.
- Go to the next traffic light (University), go through the intersection past Bennett Chapel on the left and turn left onto the top level of the Student Union Parking Garage*.
From Oklahoma City
- Take I-35N to exit #174.
- Take exit #174 and you’ll be on Oklahoma Hwy #51E.
- Go 17 miles east to the city of Stillwater. Hwy #51E becomes 6th Avenue in town.
- Go to Hester Street (7th traffic light) then turn left.
- Go to the next traffic light (University), go through the intersection past Bennett Chapel on the left and turn left onto the top level of the Student Union Parking Garage*.