I love this place! It's walking distance to the Greek theater. We stayed on a Saturday night, found…read morestreet parking right in front, had a code to enter and found an envelope with my name and hotel key. The room was simple and great, It was exactly what we needed, somewhere to sleep close to the venue. The place is beautiful, they have a kitchen with coffee that we drank outside in the morning. I plan on staying here every time I go to the Greek now!

The 2 stars are for the place itself; 5 stars for location. When looking for a place to stay in…read moreBerkeley near the UC Theatre, the prices were really high; then I found Easton Hall. It looked lovely and no tv in the room! Since we checked in on a Saturday there is no "front desk" so in the email confirmation were instructions and a code on how to get into the building. It also stated free parking. When we got there, there was no "free" parking that we could find. Luckily there was a phone # for on-call staff. He instructed us what we needed to do. The emailed instructions were missing some information that would have saved us a lot of time. They should have said that in order to get into the parking lot you must temporarily park, come into the building and retrieve the packet left for you with your name. Inside is the room key, the gate opener for the parking lot and the directions to the lot. Ok, no worries, it all worked out. The inside of the building is really beautiful. We went to the second floor, found our room and it was sparse but comfortable. We had two twin beds but my husband decided to go and we couldn't change the room and no roll away beds, so my 15-year-old could sleep on the floor, that was fine. The windows opened and it was warm and a beautiful day. As we were getting ready for bed, thanks to Anthony Melchori from Hotel Impossible, I always check the sheets and blankets. The bedspread had a stain but I thought, whatever. But when I peeled that back and looked at the thin blanket underneath, I was flabbergasted. It had stains, but also stuff on it that was disgusting, like it hadn't been washed in a long time. Those we threw on the floor and I actually slept on top of the comforter because I was just kind of grossed out. We realize this is not a "hotel" per se, but there are still certain expectations. There was no fitted sheet and you could see the mattress. The sheets were all bunched up when we woke up. Paying $150 + tax ($179.00) was entirely too much. Downtown Berkeley is dirty and not a pleasant city to roam. Easton Hall is up the hill with huge trees and quiet. I give the Half Price Bookstore 5 stars.

Stayed here one night, for a concert at the Greek. Cool old…read morehotel, with enough charm to counter the negatives. Pros: It is an historic building, built in 1928. I checked in at about 6pm, and there was still parking available. Being Hilton Gold got me a $55 food credit, Skittles, and bottled water. The room was cozy. The hot water got very hot instantly. The bed was comfy. Cool decor in the room. Booked with Hilton points, so only cost me $68 for parking and taxes. Cons: Most ridiculous bathroom sink ever. With a faucet that was too big for the tiny (8"x12" maybe) sink. You could not wash your hands without getting water everywhere, and washing your face meant soaking most of the bathroom. No place to put your toiletries, other than the tiny glass shelf with the extra roll of TP. Shower not intended for people over 5' 8" A little noisy, but they provided one pair of earplugs. Lights in hall would go out, but I believe they had a motion sensor. No nightstand on one side of the bed. I was not informed of the charge for parking ($40). Food credit hard to use as restaurant closes at 10 pm and 10am. But overall, not bad. I would stay here again.

I'm not usually someone who leaves negative reviews. If you look through my Yelp history, I'm much…read moremore likely to call out a great experience, and if something goes wrong, I usually try to handle it directly with the business rather than post about it publicly. In this case, I tried that, and the way the hotel handled each issue is actually what pushed me to write this. I booked through Travelocity and specifically reserved a top-floor room with a king bed. At check-in, the front desk didn't mention that they were giving us something completely different. We went upstairs and discovered we were on the second floor, near the elevator, with a double bed. When I went back downstairs to ask what had happened, the response was basically that they don't really see those details from third-party bookings, they were sold out of king rooms and the room they gave us was technically more expensive, so we should be happy with the upgrade. That missed the point entirely. If the hotel couldn't honor the room I booked, I would have appreciated someone simply saying that at check-in: "I see you booked a king on a higher floor. Unfortunately we're sold out of kings tonight. Here's what we have available." Instead, we weren't told anything and then were made to feel as though we should be grateful when we questioned it. Then came the bigger problem: at around 2 am, the AC unit started making an incredibly loud, repetitive thumping noise. It was impossible to sleep through. When I went downstairs around 5 am and mentioned it to another front desk employee, the reaction was again surprisingly dismissive. I was told that it's an older building and that there were earplugs next to the bed. There was, in fact, one pair of earplugs in the room, which made me wonder if the hotel already knew that particular room had a noise problem. What bothered me most was not even that something broke. Things happen. It was that there was no real acknowledgment of the problem. No "I'm so sorry." No "We'll have someone check that." No attempt to make it right. Just essentially, "Yes, it's noisy. There are earplugs." If an AC unit is making enough noise that guests need earplugs to sleep through it, that room probably shouldn't be rented until it is fixed. I honestly would rather have been told that the hotel was overbooked and that we needed to find another place than spend the night awake in a small bed in a noisy room. The biggest issue here was the service. Both situations could have been handled very differently with a little communication and basic hospitality. Instead, the front desk staff seemed unprepared to acknowledge problems, explain what was happening or make any effort to address them. So unfortunately, here I am writing the negative review I normally try very hard not to write. I hope the hotel takes a serious look at how its front desk team handles situations like this, because the problems themselves were frustrating, but the response to them made the experience significantly worse.

Had an amazing stay at the Claremont and it was a beautiful resort that I would love to visit…read moreagain. Set in the beautiful Berkeley hills with stunning views of the bay,walked into a stunning lobby with beautiful fall decor and a fast easy check in and was spoiled with a tower room that had unparalleled views of the city from both the room and the rooftop patio. Beautiful classic decor, the bed was comfy, room was quiet and we could see the bay from our room with a view of both bridges which was spectacular at night! Lovely bathroom with hot shower and lovely amenities. Tried room service and for a delicious truffle mushroom pizza! Everything was great! Hotel has a gym, pool, pickleball courts and is near fantastic hiking! Cannot wait to return!

We booked a 2 night stay and checked out after spending just 1 night. Our room was disappointing…read moreand did not feel clean and well maintained. It was incredibly dusty, including the lamps, chandeliers, headboards, and baseboards. The AC vent was aged and dirty, so we turned off the AC even though it made the room stuffy. The carpet was also worn and coming apart along the edges. The one redeeming feature of the room was the bathroom, which was clean and had a very nice shower. The hotel's common areas and amenities were well kept. I would recommend visiting for the activities, restaurant, beautiful views. It's also a nice event space. But I would not book an overnight stay here ever again.

The Mrs. and I spent last night at the East Brother Light Station. When she told me that we were…read morestaying at a lighthouse that was a bed and breakfast I had some reservations. I'm not a huge B & B fan even though we've stayed in a few. We arrived at the predetermined time and location. Said location being San Pablo Harbor which is located near Richmond. The harbor has plenty of parking and it is safe to leave your vehicle. We waited in a small seating area near the Sailing Goat restaurant. Soon, the rest of our fellow guests arrived. We all chatted for a bit before our boat arrived to take us to East Brother Island. The boat named Lucretia was manned by our hosts Dre and Charity. They loaded the six of us and our bags, four people had to stay behind to be picked up shortly thereafter. Getting to the island was an adventure. The ride took about ten minutes. The island the lighthouse sits on is only 3/4 of an acre. It has three structures on it, a water storage tank and a cistern that is only fed by rainwater. There is no water supplied from the mainland. The lighthouse is a stately old Victorian house with a lot of character. The inside is decorated with period pieces. The first floor holds two guest rooms, a bathroom, the gift shop, dining room, and the kitchen. The ONLY shower that is in the house is located in the bathroom which is only accessible from the dining room. The two guest rooms share that bathroom. The second door holds the parlor, game room, and two guest rooms. The rooms are named for their view. We stayed in the San Francisco room which had an incredible view from the bedroom window. It also had its own toilet and sink. The bed and linens were very comfortable. At 4 p.m. Dre rings a bell that summons everyone to the roundtable on the grounds for champagne and charcuterie. Then at six he rings it again for dinner. Dre is the chef and Charity provides the table service. For dinner we had tomato bisque, salad with strawberries and almonds, Coc Au Vin Blanc with saffron rice and green beans, and cheesecake for dessert. All of the food was really good. For breakfast we had Dre's homemade quiche with potatoes and toast. There really isn't much, if anything, to do on the island. It was nice to socialize with the other guests but at times I was exhausted. Nothing against them that is just my personality. After breakfast Dre took us out to Walter's workshop and demonstrated the fog horn for us. Just the mechanics of it all was fascinating. Dre and Charity are incredible hosts. Dre will tell you a lot of Dad jokes which are hilarious. Overall we were on the island for 24 hours and it was an incredible experience. Probably a once in a lifetime experience.

At last after decades of dreaming, this bucket list item is finally crossed off the list…read more Celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary this was the perfect gift. We had no idea what to expect. It was more than we could ever have imagined. We enjoyed the most perfect autumn weather. So that was an absolute stroke of luck. Tides were in our favor and the boat trip to and from the islands were comfortable. Innkeepers Danielle and Rae (seven months new to this gig) are/were incredible hosts, tour guides, chefs, and comics. We were the only guests spending two nights and so glad we opted for that. Enjoyed a beautiful view from our second-story room - West Brother Island and the raucous comings and goings of the island birds was incredible. Breakfast, happy hour, and dinner were more than enough and so delicious. And we enjoyed the company of other guests - many Bay Area locals but also from San Diego and Illinois. If you're a wildlife and nature lover, put this a the top of your list. Not only a wide range of birds, but also Harbor Seals, Sea Lions, and Harbor Porpoise were seen on our visit.

No hotel parking street parking only…read more Cute little Boutique & mini Bistro Hotel. Due to no parking, took an uber . 1 night stay for concert at Greek Theatre which I heard was difficult parking also. 30 minute walk / $10-$15 uber/lyft ride Rideshare couldn't find hotel & drove into Andronicos parking lot which was perfect since it's right next to it. Weird Lobby set up, walk past cafe order area, small check in desk in back right corner. Very friendly, informative staff as had questions about Greek Theatre. Room has everything you need, tv, desk, coffee station, fridge, microwave, Plates , utensils. Bathroom stocked with body wash, shampoo- no conditioner. Close walking location to restaurants or groceries again as our room was overlooking Andronicos market.

The rooms are small but functional. The hallways are super dated and not very clean looking but in…read morecomparison the room was more upgraded. However just not the standard of cleanliness I'd like. The prices were reasonable for the area. Gourmet Ghetto out the front doorstep and lots of wonderful restaurant options. The evening desk clerk was very very helpful and super friendly. Thin walls but luckily my neighbors weren't too loud. Might stay again but would likely search for other options to try.

This is not a luxury hotel. It is a beautiful, modern, minimalist, energy efficient, ecologically…read moredesigned guest house for people on official business with the University or the National Lab. It has a killer view of the Bay and the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge as well as a birdseye look down over the Berkeley campus. Just hope there is no fog! The staff is friendly and helpful in every way. You need a guest pass to get up here, sponsored by a campus or lab host, but it is accessible with a car or the lab shuttle bus. I have been here a few times and I would be happy to stay here again if the opportunity presents.

We checked in on a very quiet day and found that we and about only ten others were staying over at…read morethe guest house. The parking lot across the street was more than ample and probably has the best view of the Bay Area of any other parking lot around. Our check in was very easy and the front desk clerk was more than helpful. Our room was located on the second floor right next to the hospitality room which was very handy for accessing the coffee and other refreshments. It was very quiet overnight with no traffic noises, sirens, dumpster sounds or sounds from other rooms. It was probably the quietest room I have ever been in. The room is very small but adequately appointed with a double bed, small desk, one chair, a dresser and enough electrical outlets for our chargers. The size of the room was similar to a cabin on a cruise ship with a small but plenty adequate bathroom. The television in our room was not high def but pulled in several cable channels and I could not figure out how to use the HDMI inputs. As many have said previously, the Guest House is not for everyone as it is located well above the campus and away from any commercial and residential area. You can't stroll down the street for a cup of coffee or a newspaper because you are probably ten minutes up the hill from the main gate. It is ideal for anyone doing business at the lab and for getting away from the city. This would be a great place for a weekend retreat. If you are using your GPS to direct you, be aware that it may point you to the wrong street and gate. The only was up is to follow Hearst Avenue all the way to Cyclotron Road then pass through the Blackberry Gate. The security staffers were quite friendly and patient.

Phenomenal space with splendid people!…read more The food here is free! Nice outdoor space. I'll definitely be back!

Usually not one to leave reviews but here I am…read more Firstly, the property managers here are wonderful. Prior to my arrival, I received a thorough notification of what to expect, amenities, and even recommendations and a hypothetical agenda of what to expect in the area. It felt like home already. Second, upon arriving, a kind door boy offered me a tour of the property and even prepared fresh towels for my stay. I had several options for my lodging. I will say, the first night I picked the wrong bedding. Before any twinge of frustration could fester, the managers immediately accommodated me to another private room. Again, amazing service. Before even waking, the managers had prepared ready-to-go snacks and breakfast to enjoy before my conferences. They are always in ready communication and I thoroughly appreciated that. Also, transportation is somehow free here. If you're thinking of getting places through public transportation, they offer an on-house ClipperCard. (Be warned - do not ask for any details on how they've acquired that pass.) If you're in between places for a comfortable, affordable, and luxurious stay, now you're not. Gabe's house is my new go-to lodge and they have my highest recommendation.

This month I was looking for a place convenient to Berkeley California to visit my family who live…read morenot far from the University. I found out about Golden Bear Hotel from Priceline. This was an old motel already established on San Pablo Ave. It has been redesigned and modernized by Sure Stay by Best Western. The staff was great and the rooms are very nice. Given that the cities of Berkeley and Oakland are pretty much known by those of us who have lived there as a parking hell, it was truly a pleasure to find parking within the courtyard and visible from your room. The courtyard is a U-shaped area with two lines of parking. There is a mountain Mike's restaurant on the parking lot as well. Despite the fact that you're on a major bus line on a major thoroughfare it is a very quiet location to stay. I think my favorite feature was the room darkening louver window shades that allow you to have darkness and not be blasted with sunlight in the morning. I can't stop talking about these. Check in was very easy. The key card powers your room when you place it in the slot inside the door. The room includes a mini fridge, microwave, a safe, and a large television set. The bed was extremely comfortable. The shower area as well equipped with large refillable bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I stayed here for five nights and found this to be a very positive experience especially since I had dreaded being somewhere in downtown Berkeley without parking and with all that noise. I know they also have one of these short stays up on point Richmond. Priceline made it very affordable and I had almost a half price deal but you also can call the hotel for internal deals as well. I'm always a fan of Best Western and very glad to see this resource as I plan to visit my family often and stay at Golden Bear.

Definitely as described! The rooms are really nice and look newly renovated. The staff on site was…read morewelcoming and there's even free soft drinks in the main lobby. The only thing that sucks is the set up -- it's kinda in a parking lot and shared with a pizza restaurant. But otherwise it's surprisingly quiet and in a really nice part of Berkeley!