Four stars is an average - much, such as the location, views, sports facilities and staff friendliness easily deserve five stars, but some things only deserve three at best, which is a shame. My main dislike was the restaurant facilities, especially for breakfast. There is only one restaurant, which is diner style - there's no 'real' restaurant according to my expectations of such a hotel. Plus the service was often muddled, slow and the menu restricted and unvaried over our 8 day stay. Breakfast via room service was much better. There is another lounge bar area that also serves snacks but this was often crowded with private parties, and uncomfortably cold due to the (unnecessarily) aggressive air conditioning. Luckily there are some lovely small eateries close by so all was not lost.
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BED BUGS. Then they tried to bully me into taking down my review.
The hotel is beautiful. The staff is friendly and professional, the restaurant is fantastic, and the view is better.
But, BED BUGS.
I saw them in my room and managed to smash one. I called the front desk and sat in the hallway for over a half an hour. I called the front desk back, "Yes ma'am. We didn't forget. Someone is on their way."
I asked the two men who came to help me move my things to another room if this had happened before. They just looked at eachother and didn't respond. So there's your answer on that.
The room they moved me from was a well-kept historic bedroom that looked like it could be from the movie "Somewhere in Time". The room they moved me TO - without the bed bugs - looked like it came out of "The Shining" if they'd let someone throw shoes at the walls for a few days.
The did discount my room down from 400 dollars to 200 and offer me a free stay at a later date. Needless to say, since I don't like hanging out with bed bugs, I declined. I abandoned my suitcase and threw away the clothes I bought, bought a cotton bag at a local health food shop and carried home my flat iron and my wallet, etc.
Lovely on the outside - bugs on the inside.
UPDATE:
So I was contacted by the Claremont Hotel after posting this review. Let me just recap for you since I'd hate to bore a reviewer:
1. They first contacted me by email and asked me when a good time would be to talk. They promptly ignored the times I provided and called my cell during my working hours. 2. I was first offered incentives from the hotel. Potential refunds and a complimentary night's stay (second time they'd offered me that). I still have no interest in sleeping with bugs in my bed. 3. The representative got louder and I had quite trouble getting a word in edgewise. He told me they had a report done by a lab on the room and that they weren't beg bugs, but a different kind of biting bugs that were in my bed. The bugs he referenced, "carpet beetles" when searched on google, did not resemble AT ALL the bugs I saw in my room.
THOSE WERE BED BUGS. The Claremont representative told me it would take an expert to tell the difference. You Google it, then you tell me it takes a genius to tell the difference when you're close enough to smash them.
Essentially, when I couldn't be coaxed to take my review down, the person on the phone tried to bully me into taking it down. Well, I won't. I wish someone would have warned me there would be biting bugs in my bed, despite their species or assurance from the staff that they aren't so bad.
We got the queen deluxe Bay view room and it was awesome. Totally worth it. And such a beautiful hotel. Only gripe was with the breakfast at Meritage which was didn't have very good service and some of the food (pork sausage especially) was not good. That along with the high prices would be bad, but it was free with the room so I guess it gets a pass. Bottom line: a positive and memorable experience.
The Claremont Club & Spa is a gorgeous hotel. Very attentive staff. Limewood is a great place to grab drinks along with lunch. Exceptional view from the patio. I would definitely revisit this location.
Incredible location overlooking San Francisco Bay. Parking may be difficult to find depending on events at the hotel. The food is always top notch for social events. Beautifully manicured Landscaping all around. The hotel premises are very well maintained and spotless.
Overall average. My husband and I held our wedding at this hotel last year as this hotel is beautiful and the views of the Bay are amazing. My husband and I had also enjoyed our stays here before and the initial food tasting went really well. As for our wedding, our guests enjoyed the hors d'oeuvres and the boba bar during the tea reception, which we had instead of a cocktail hour. Our guests also enjoyed the food during the main reception, except for the vegetarian entree. Unfortunately, they did not provide the vegetarian entree we selected and the vegetarian entree they did provide tasted poorly. There were also other issues during the planning process with the hotel and during the wedding day due to poor organizational skills and a poor ability to execute tasks and duties on the part of certain hotel staff. The hotel management acted reasonably and kindly in addressing all the issues and the staff here is certainly very well-mannered and likeable. However, in order to be a truly fine hotel, they need to be more organized and do things correctly, especially for weddings where the experience matters the most. I submitted a detailed review directly to the hotel with the hope that they will improve, and hopefully they have.
Went here to visit my sister. Unfortunately, it was the same week Berkeley students were returning, so the rates were higher than usual and the place was busier than it normally would be. The staff was very courteous, though one maid kept knocking on my door with slightly odd questions, like if I wanted more water bottles, towels, or flowers spread on my bed (I was alone and there for just a few days). The grounds are very nice, well maintained, and though the hotel is older it has been updated very nicely. Try to find parking on the street after 6pm if you can though, the hotel charges an arm and a leg, and you will have to pay at least once to unload your luggage unless you move quickly ($7 after 15 minutes... and for comparison the most expensive meters in Berkeley are $2.50/hr). It is very classy with high end appeal though, so if this is your chosen destination you probably arent looking at price tags.
The location is very convenient to the Berkeley campus, a short walk of less than a mile through nice neighborhoods. The staff has been very helpful, polite, and prompt. The rooms are clean and comfortable, with a nice combination of modern and classic styles. The common areas of the hotel are also clean and stylish.
Overall, it's a great place for most events. It's a got a pleasant yet typically modern atmosphere, great food, great staff, etc. Definitely a fantastic breakfast joint whether you go to the limewood restaurant or the other restaurant. The only problem is the parking lot. It's in real need of a repaving.
The modern look detracts from the old charm of this historic property. The service was fair at best, which considering the cost is unacceptable. The room was fine and comfortable, but I can't say I recommend it.
The bathrooms were extremely luxurious. The paper towers there were not paper towels, they straight up give you towels to wipe your hand and then throw away. Inside the main lobby is was spacious and beautifully decorated. Everywhere was exceptionally clean and the people who worked serving food at the event we're courteous and polite. The location has a wonderful view. At night you can see all the lights on the bay bridge and a view of SF. Unfortunately I was not there to stay overnight. (It was just for our prom) there is a bus stop right outside on the main road so it should be easy to access
Hands Down. The staff at the Claremont and the level of service they provide is simply AMAZING! I was involved with coordinating a 4 day conference and Tara Dickie accommodated us like a dream! Her level of attention was superb and when the unexpected came up, she handled the situation like a champ. Also special thanks to Mason at the bar for his excellent champagne sabrage skills! He is such a delight and made us feel so welcome! 5 stars is an understatement for these folks! Beautiful hotel however set on another level with the service we have received. Thank you everyone!! :)
Club was crowded on a summer weekend and didn't feel special. Common areas were dead on a Saturday night and nothing in walking distance. 30 dollar parking fee is ridiculous. Close but no cigar... will give the new Fairmont ownership the benefit of the doubt as a work on progress. For history buffs, note that the old 4th floor is now the 7th.
Highly disappointed In this place! The only thing that's going for this place for me is the location. I've stayed in many luxurious hotels all around the bay and surrounding areas and this place just isn't worth the money. Maybe I stayed on an off day but the room wasn't what was discussed online, the breakfast food at the restaurant was horrible and expensive. Ihop or denneys would have been a better choice not to mention 1/3 the price. There are definitely better deals not to far away. The only reason I'm even giving a 2 star is for the location and the partial view of SF and the bay, which is half blocked by outside air ducts and pipes. The staff is real friendly. In closing, we won't be staying here again.
I had not visited this landmark, sprawling hotel since my junior prom decades ago. At that time the property was in decline, dusty and a tad tacky. But, baby, look at her now. Swanky, elegant, relaxed and unique, the turreted tudor resort and spa are in top form.
I went here with my family to have the Sunday brunch buffet, which I heard was very good. I was a little disappointed because for $70, I would have thought they had more food or more high end food. Also, when we first sat down, my coffee cup was dirty as well as my glass for water. For a high priced place, I hold it to a higher standard. The place is nice and decor is also very nice. Atmosphere is relaxing and quiet. Views are nice as well. You can get q glimpse of the bay bridge and golden gate bridge.
Had a delightful time at the Christmas morning brunch. While the spread was marginally smaller than years past, the quality was excellent. I did have to dock one star for the presence of the holiday elf. She was covered in bells, forced balloons upon our table, and generally made it impossible to converse while she was using the helium tank. Right idea for the occasion, but next time don't have that station right next to my table.
We stayed here for our last night in Oakland. Wish we could have spent some more time here relaxing but the time we did have there was nice. All of the staff there was friendly and helpful
Not what it should be at this price category. This was the only hotel close to where our son was living. The reservation web site is a nightmare, lots of different ways to book and packages, all very different and expensive. I bought parking with my room even though I did not have a car so my son could park free, it was a hassle to give it to him. We wanted to use the pool, and they wanted to charge me for my son and his wife to go with us, then the pool had a water problem and they closed the pool, the area was mobbed and the four of us could not find any chairs available. If you don't have to go here don't.
Beautiful! Weddings happen there is a must!!! They even had a wine tasting/ selling there also. Besides the tennis courts. Parties a must. Room reservations a must! Plenty of leeway for the handicap in wheelchairs. Bathrooms- clean and there are 2 on the first level.
The hotel was very accommodating. We got some take out from a nearby restaurant and they gave us some silverware, plates and napkins. They were nice about it.
Hands down my favorite place to stay when in the East Bay. Classy, clean, and the home to the best view of the SF Bay there is in the Oakland Hills. The grounds are immaculate and the spa/fitness area is as modern as any boutique fitness studio. Pools, tennis courts, parking, and close to everything.
It might sound corny, but I've been staying at the Claremont so long now, that I consider it my home when in the East Bay.
Very friendly professional staff, tastefully decorated bar and restaurants with a great view of the bay. Recently renovated rooms with a classic style. I love the gym and large heated swimming pool. The Hillary + Tenzing room is an incredible reminder of the the first two explorers to climb Mount Everest. Definitely worth a visit!
The Claremont is a beautiful hotel which has been updated to today's standards. It's a massive hotel which is really my only complaint - our room was hard to get to (we had to go down a floor, walk a hallway and then go up). The rooms were not all easily accessible. Otherwise it's a great hotel and very elegant.
I stayed there on the way to SF and it was an almost perfect stay with a very special flair (bygone days). The house is simply gorgeous and embodies for me the Californian elegance with lots of light, deep escapes, great colors and smells (recommend in the restaurant Fried Chicken Waffles). When Michelle Obama checked in just before I left, the Claremont experience was perfect;)
A point deduction for the "spa" - very in need of renovation, a bit of indoor pool ambience in the changing rooms and hardly any windows a very dark, cellar-like atmosphere. Maybe in the 80s was up to date. Massage was great.
Many of the US dreams that have shaped movies and music since my adolescence became tangible here in a magical way. Absolute highlight ...
The Claremont Club & Spa was a beautiful location with an old feel to it. The building is beautifully designed and the staff was very helpful and friendly. The ballroom for the event I attended was very spacious.
Beautiful view, great service, lovely facility. I was attending a meeting so not staying there, but ate breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks. All delicious and elegant presentation.
