hotels with a view in Albany, CA

1. Four Points by Sheraton San Francisco Bay Bridge (3-star hotel)

About this hotel

Off Interstate 580 and facing San Francisco Bay, this informal hotel is 6 miles from the Oakland Museum of California and 9 miles from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.Unfussy rooms provide free WiFi, flat-screen TVs and microwaves, plus tea and coffeemakers. Some have balconies with bay views; upgraded rooms add minifridges and pull-out sofas.Parking is complimentary. There’s a casual cafe and a cozy lobby bar, as well as a convenience store. Other amenities include a fitness center, a hot tub and an outdoor pool. Breakfast is available for a surcharge.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests praised the beds
  • 6 min drive to the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge
  • Guests praised the clean rooms but some thought they were small
  • Some guests complained about the bathrooms
  • Guests liked the friendly service
  • The fitness center has free weights and treadmills
  • One of the few hotels in the area with an outdoor pool
  • Guests praised the cozy bar

Feedback From Real Customers

Ms Lil Booty aka The Sexxy Foodie

The property is small however it’s still decent and super close to tons of Shopping and Restaurants, not including the Bay St Mall which is only a 2min walk from the hotel There’s ample security patrol, and they lock the doors from dust to dawn basically and you’ll need your key to get on the elevators The view from the 7th (highest floor) was lovely, it’s always nice to see the San Francisco Bay Area!! I was lucky to stay for breakfast which was complimentary and the full hot breakfast was available

the portion was small to me but it was complimentary 🤗 I may stay again in the future

Nicky Robinson

I initially didn’t think that the hotel I picked for a wedding hotel block would matter that much, but I can’t overstate how happy I am that we ended up picking Four Points We had a huge block–50 rooms John Yee, the Director of Sales, was amazing to work with

He helped us resolve numerous issues, such as someone booking four rooms when they meant to book five He coordinated with our wedding shuttle buses as well The rest of the staff was great, too The rooms were also nice–they were clean and modern, but not in an IKEA way Many wedding guests told us how much they liked the hotel and how helpful they were I don’t think that’s normalWorth noting: We had so many rooms and most people were booking king rooms, so eventually Four Points started running out of king rooms and the procrastinators got stuck with double rooms Probably not usually an issue

Amy Chaffin

The hotel clerk at check-in was kind But what the website advertised and what we got were 2 very different thingsWe reserved a corner balcony room

Unfortunately the balcony view consisted of a storage shed, some trash cans, and nearby Powell Street Bottom line, if you pay for the corner, it is not worth it if you end up on the 2nd floorThis situation would have been fine for work travel For leisure, because leisure time is so rare for us, we were hoping for something more consistent with the website photo

2. Suites at Fisherman’s Wharf (3-star hotel)

About this hotel

A 6-minute walk from the beach and a 7-minute walk from shopping and dining along Fisherman’s Wharf, this classic all-suite hotel is also 0.7 miles from the Aquarium of the Bay.The warmly decorated 1- and 2-bedroom suites feature full kitchens (with dishwashers), flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and iPod docks, plus living rooms with pull-out sofas. Some suites have private balconies or patios.Amenities include a garden atrium with a fountain, a rooftop deck with panoramic city and ocean views, and private parking (fee).

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests praised the large rooms and the kitchenettes
  • Walking distance to Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39
  • Some guests complained about the bathrooms
  • Guests praised the friendly service
  • Guests praised the panoramic city views

Feedback From Real Customers

Sabrina Skøt

The location is close to a lot of tourist attractions You can walk to unite square, fisherman’s wharf, little Italy and Chinatown Next time I think i will prefer to stay in Hays valley where there seems to be a lot of good restaurants

The service was welcoming and we got our room early but had to wait for the parking lot Unfortunately our car got broken into in the mean while This apparently happens daily or all the time There are lots of signs in the area that tells you not to leave anything in the car but be we had not seen those at the time We were asked if we wanted to bring our stuff into the hotel but said we would just leave them until we could get the car a bit closer It would have been really nice if the hotel then had informed us about the very high risk of someone breaking into the car in that areaThe rooms were clean and the kitchen is well equiptThe feel of the hotel is a bit ‘not modern’

Stephen Tardy

Very convenient location, bus stop/cable car stops right in front of hotel, 2 blocks from Fishermen’s Wharf, 1 block from convenience store, large grocery store 04 miles away, many great restaurants under 05 miles radius, roof top chairs/fantastic view of the Bay including Alcatraz, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets-very romantic, great 1 BR suites w/ loaded amenities, and terrific, happy, customer service orientated staff

We loved, loved, loved our week’s vacation in the City by the Bay

Göran Carlsson

Very happy about the experience!Filtered drinkable water available for freeVery close to Fishermans WharfWe stayed in a small apartment equipped with a kitchen and a separate bedroom

The free wifi plan is limited to four devicesParking slightly more expensive than expected Located in the same buildingThere is no pool

3. Hotel Shattuck Plaza (4-star hotel)

  • Address: 2086 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
  • Phone: (510) 845-7300
  • Ratings: 4.3 (842 reviews) Very good
  • Website : Hotel Shattuck Plaza
  • Check-in time: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out time: 12:00 PM
  • Quick Summary: Stately hotel offering modern quarters with free Wi-Fi, plus a refined restaurant & a bar.

About this hotel

Set in a mission-style building dating from 1910, this sophisticated hotel is less than a block from the Downtown Berkeley BART station and a 5-minute walk from UC Berkeley.Modern rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, plus coffeemakers, and desks with ergonomic chairs. Some rooms have views of San Francisco Bay. Suites add separate living spaces. Room service is available.Perks include a fitness center, a restaurant featuring organic California cuisine, and a lounge offering hand-crafted cocktails.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests liked the clean rooms but some thought they were small
  • Guests liked the beds
  • 4 min walk to the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
  • Guests liked the friendly service
  • Guests mentioned “cocktails” 10 times
  • The hotel has a boutique store

Feedback From Real Customers

Jacob Mata

Wonderful on every level A kind and caring staff Great bar in the lobby

Cozy rooms and great prices The staff really makes the experience the best They really want to make sure you are having a good time, not just in the hotel but when you leave as well They always welcome you back and wish you a good day or night when you go out Will definitely come back

Joanne Carusi

The hotel is very pretty and has held onto the original charm The staff is also very kind!The room was furnished nicely but was on the smaller side The door that connected our room with the one next door had a 2+ inch gap at the bottom and you could see into the next room, we stuffed a blanket under it to keep out the excess noise and from the people staying in the room from seeing into our space

The walls are thin so both our neighbors chatting sounded like people were in the room with us The bathroom was tiny and not practical at all There was no bathroom counter space as the bowl sink took up almost all the room and there were no hooks anywhere to hang your towels so we ended up grabbing hangers from the closet and hanging our towels from the shower curtain, otherwise our towels never dried on the shelf provided The TV barely worked and was glitchy every time we tried to use it The neighborhood is super convenient with delicious restaurants and coffee all around but it’s not super safe and very dirty If your looking for a quiet/private stay and for your room to be more then just aesthetically pleasing then this is not the place for you The price is too high for what is offered here I wouldn’t stay again unless it was a very short stay and/or the price was decreased by at least 1/3

Bill Leys

Beautiful hotel right downtown in Berkeley Easy walk to restaurants and shops in the neighborhood and Bart is right there at the corner for access all around the bayGreat old hotel with beautiful details and it’s obviously well cared for and loved

It’s clean it’s appealing the rooms are nice great bed to sleep onDefinitely worth the money when compared to other hotels in the area and the reviews they haveWill be back next time I’m coming to Berkeley

4. Hyatt House Emeryville/San Francisco Bay Area (3-star hotel)

About this hotel

This contemporary hotel is 7 miles from the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, a 3-minute walk from the Public Market Emeryville and 14 miles from Oakland International Airport.The bright, modern rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges and microwaves. Suites add kitchens, living areas, sofabeds and/or bay views.Grocery shopping service and an area shuttle are included. Amenities consist of an outdoor pool and a 24/7 fitness center, plus a market and a bar serving light bites. There’s a business center and meeting space. There’s also a coin-operated laundry. Breakfast and parking are offered, and pets are welcome, all for a fee.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests praised the large, clean rooms and the kitchenettes
  • 14 min drive to the University of California, Berkeley
  • Guests liked the service
  • Guests praised the restaurant
  • Guests liked the bay views
  • The fitness center has weight machines and elliptical machines
  • One of the few hotels in the area with an outdoor pool
  • Guests liked the bar

Feedback From Real Customers

Reg Jackson

Great property with a free breakfast and Tesla chargers for guests Now the $20 for parking is not ideal but it could have been worse I did have an issue with the flat $200 hold placed on my credit card, I’m not use to having my credit card treated like it’s a debit card

I must applaud Angel Working the front desk as she was just a pleasure to deal with and she made sure my stay was good, the rooms are nice and clean along with sanitizing and bagging up the remote control which is one of the dirtiest things you will ever encounter in a hotel room I was lucky to have a room that faced the Bay side of the hotel and it was definitely a nice view to have since it was a clearer evening and morning in the bay You will be happy with the location as there are plenty of food and dining options within walking distance along with some shopping opportunities in the other shopping center within a 10 minutes walk I can say that this day was very pleasant along with we felt very safe on the property along with our vehicle being in an area where it was protected even without having a fence system to keep other individuals out There is some foot traffic due to a few bus stops along the route but there isn’t anything major that you should be concerned about, you can stay here with peace of mind that you will have a good clean room and a hotel that looks very modern and welcoming I know once my travels bring me back to the area we definitely have a new favorite place to stay

Dut Kasilag

Good stay !Wonderful option if you want to be close to Berkeley and have some peace and quiet and be close to the shopsGood facilities, there is enough parking with breakfast included For additional food options, The Public Market is right across

The Amtrak terminal is also in the vicinity My room was at the front of the building so I cannot comment on the Amtrak noise to be fairDefinitely will consider this hotel when I’m in the area

Nancy

we were there for the long weekend First the staff AMAZING!! from the security guard to the front desk are super welcoming and nice Excellent the staff is friendly

They offer you morning breakfast DELICIOUS!! YOU GET THE BEST BREAKFAST!! you get everything from healthy fruit to delicious bread the set up is very nice and professional Overall I was happy The parking is nice plenty of parking and safeThe room : the room it was nice not very impressed I like that it was clean however the bathroom (shower) needs BIG BIG Remodeling the tile is all look dirty and is a weird brown tile, Im sure it was clean but is super old needs works I’m giving it 5***** because of the amazin staff and friendly people working there, even the breakfast staff is so nice , and the hotel smell good and you get fast service if you require one I will probably stay here again but I will make sure the shower is betterOverall good price, nice room, good view, close to everything we were like 15 min away from all the main areas GOOD HOTEL

5. Hotel Griffon (3-star hotel)

  • Address: 155 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA 94105
  • Phone: (415) 495-2100
  • Ratings: 4.2 (629 reviews) Very good
  • Website : Hotel Griffon
  • Check-in time: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out time: 11:00 AM
  • Quick Summary: Waterfront hotel offering polished rooms & suites with bay or city views, plus a restaurant.

About this hotel

This relaxed hotel along the waterfront is a 5-minute walk from the Embarcadero BART rail station and 6 minutes’ walk from the shops and eateries of the Ferry Building.Refined rooms with exposed brick walls offer bay or city views, plus free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and iPod docks. Suites add separate sitting rooms and private outdoor spaces.The hotel offers free weekday car service to the Financial District and parking for hybrid vehicles. A restaurant serves classic American fare with views of the bay from the outdoor patio. An executive boardroom with a private terrace sits on the top floor.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests praised the beds
  • Walking distance to the San Francisco Ferry Building and the Exploratorium
  • Guests mentioned the rooms are clean but small
  • 3 min walk to nearest transit
  • Guests praised the service
  • Guests praised the breakfast
  • Guests praised the bar

Feedback From Real Customers

Richard

We enjoyed our stay The room was great and the front desk staff were lovelyParking is an issue – hence deducting a star

You can offload your stuff in the loading bay but then you need to park off-site Contrary to what is stated on the hotel’s confirmation emails, valet parking is currently NOT available You can self-park at the parking garage opposite (Rincon center) which is secure but expensive (we paid $47 for a day) and the spaces are very tight (fine for Europeans like us – the tightness of the space might be a culture shock to people used to big parking spaces – especially if you are driving a big car!)That said, I guess you are going to have a parking problem most places in central SF

6. Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero (5-star hotel)

About this hotel

Occupying the top 11 floors of the 345 California Center high-rise, this posh hotel is 2 miles from stores and eateries at Pier 39 along San Francisco Bay. It’s 7 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge and 15 miles from San Francisco International Airport.Polished rooms have Wi-Fi, flat-screens and minibars, plus Nespresso machines and city views. Upgraded rooms offer bay views and/or sitting areas. Suites provide living rooms; some feature bridge views. Upgraded suites include terraces. Room service is available 24/7.Amenities consist of a fitness center, as well as valet parking and breakfast.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests praised the rooms
  • Walking distance to the San Francisco Ferry Building and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
  • 4 min walk to nearest transit
  • Guests praised the friendly service
  • Guests praised the city views

Feedback From Real Customers

Yuliya Subotniaya

An absolute gem: luxurious exquisite experience from start to finish Upon arrival the staff offered a room update and a full list of welcome gifts (breakfast and dinner vouchers) The room on the 45th floor was well decorated, spotlessly cleaned and had all the essentials for a stay in the city

It was a very memorable experience, staff made sure we are treated with ultimate care and respect“Cherry on the cake” was an incredible breakfast: still craving those buttermilk banana pancakes and a light balanced oatmeal Thank you to the staff for your attention to details, it’s an achievement to keeping the standard of 5* hotel in San Francisco!

shannin

i liked it and the staff was amazing, but it will be a one-time stay for me this is a newer acquisition, and it just didn’t have the amenities and special touches to stand up to what i expect from these properties the views from the room certainly provided a the wow factor, but the hotel needs a little more attention to create a strong four seasons experience

as always, hats off to the excellent team working and caring for the guests and their stay

Chris Mauss

As usual, the Four Seasons never disappoint Finally a place where there is a real sense of service Rooms are impeccable

We had a suite with the view on the bay and the bridge, it was stunning (albeit weather remained foggy the whole stay) The staff is very competent, has the attention to details you expect and is genuinely nice and welcoming

7. Hotel Fairmont Heritage Place – Ghirardelli Square (5-star hotel)

About this hotel

A 16-minute walk from the shops and restaurants of lively Pier 39, this upscale all-suite hotel with views of San Francisco Bay is also 4.2 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge.Refined 1- to 3-bedroom suites come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and iPads, as well as kitchens, dining areas and living rooms. They also offer fireplaces, designer linens and washers/dryers. Some feature terraces and bay views. Upgraded quarters have access to a private lounge.Complimentary amenities include continental breakfast, local car service and evening happy hours. There’s also a terrace with fire pits, as well as a business center.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests praised the large rooms, which have TVs
  • 1 min walk to Ghirardelli Square
  • Guests praised the friendly service
  • Guests mentioned “desserts” 10 times
  • Guests praised the breakfast
  • Guests praised the garden and ocean views
  • Guests praised the nightlife

Feedback From Real Customers

Laurie Felicilda

This place was AMAZING Service was excellent Everyone very friendly

Beautiful condo, fireplace, master bedroom was what dreams are made of Free coffee in lounge Filtered ph balanced water machine for refillable water bottles Definitely a must stay Oh and shopping and restaurants in building and a short walk away from pier and much more

Tammy Parashis

A dream come true property, this is what service is all about The team at the Fairmont Heritage Place will delight your soulOutstanding 5 star experience

The service was impeccable from all staff members Initially, we only booked for a 2 week stay and kept extending, for another 5 months while we were remodeling our home We stayed in a beautiful 2 bedroom suite with high end amenities, including a full kitchen and washer and dryer in every residence, which is very difficult to find in San Francisco Along with my family being extremely happy with our stay, our dog had a fabulous time as well, as they are pet friendly and supplied him with a dog bed, dog bowls, and dog treats The doorman loved to give him treats as we would come and goBesides staying in luxury, you are in a prime and safe location, just upstairs from Ghirardelli Square You are also in close walking distance from Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, Fort Mason, and the Marina DistrictThe Mustard Terrace was our favorite part of the hotel It has spectacular views of Alcatraz, the bay and the world’s famous Ghirardelli sign above We loved hanging out on the comfy outdoor couches by the fire pit, day or night The hotel also offers a complimentary generous wine and cheese hour every Wednesday and Friday which was a wonderful perkWe can’t thank the entire staff enough who went out of their way to make our stay feel like home I can honestly say, the staff treated everyone like family! A few of them are Marco, Stephen, Aziz, Ryan, YuMi, Jean, Jason, Jeff, Asim, Lucia, Michelle, Johnson, Byron, The housekeeping team, Dallas, Karina, and Sarah And of course the managers Jonathan, Dan, and Jessica

Brandon Milton

We stayed here for two nights to do typical tourist things around San Francisco My family and I loved it! We were four adults (one couple, two singles) and the 2 bedroom apartment was plenty big enough with 2 beds and the sofabed Everything was clean and comfortable

We had a “city view” which faced Polk, but we could still see a bit of the bayWe also enjoyed the lounge areas outside with fire pits – although we couldn’t figure out how to start the fire pit on the second floorThe staff and service were great – everyone was friendly, we never once had to open the hotel’s main door, and we had someone check-in with us every day via text messageThere were only three cons IMO:1 We got lost when first checking in! The main entrance is on North Point/Polk You cannot access the lobby from Ghirardelli Square until you’ve checked in2 I wish the hotel room had some snacks For only two nights, we had a fridge/stove/oven, but no food! If we were staying for longer, we definitely would have grocery shopped3 During our second night (Sunday night), there was some street noise that was very loud and woke us up I think it was trash trucks In general the room had good noise insulation, but for some reason these trucks were LOUD!

8. Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge (3-star hotel)

About this hotel

This waterfront hotel with views of San Francisco’s skyline is 3.3 miles from downtown Berkeley and 8.3 miles from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.Stylish rooms include free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with premium channels, plus desks and custom-designed beds. They also come with microwaves, minifridges and coffeemakers. Suites add separate living/dining areas and pull-out sofas.A free local shuttle is offered. There’s an American bar and grill with cooked-to-order breakfast (fee), as well as a 24-hour pantry. Additional amenities include a gym and a hot tub, plus 3 meeting rooms and a 24/7 business center.

Things You Need to Know

  • The rooms have TVs and microwaves
  • 4 min drive to the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge
  • 14 min walk to nearest train station
  • One of the few hotels in the area with room service
  • Guests liked the professional service
  • Guests mentioned lobbies 38 times
  • Guests praised the fitness center, which has weight machines
  • Guests praised the nightlife

Feedback From Real Customers

David Poole

Newly renovated, unlike some Garden Inns, this hotel has truly upscale accommodations I had a splendid stay until I went down for breakfast, finding a breakfast policy with absolutely no continental option for your $10 credit I had unknowingly walked in and acknowledged my credit at check in, declining the points add back offered

This was an annual Honors stay offered for Diamond members, the only redemption to this story If I had paid for this room I would be much more feisty 😇

David Bunjac

Very good hotel for the price point and very conveniently located in Emeryville close to the Bay Bridge and Oakland Inside, it’s quiet, clean and most importantly, the beds are very comfortable! The neighborhood is safe with good shopping very close The downside is the property is aging and is showing signs of wear

Good maintenance is trying to keep up, but there are still flaws that will only be corrected with a major rehab No safe in the room and aging furniture Water pressure so-so $20 breakfast buffet that was not much better than what you’d see for free in other properties, so the dining room was empty at breakfast time with hot trays full standing for who knows how long But despite those problems, I would stay again It’s a good base to explore SF or the rest of the Bay Area and not too expensive That’s why I give four stars

Kristina Boler

The location is very convenient and the hotel is nice in appearance The staff was friendly and helpful and the rooms were cleanPlease note that you do have to pay $20 a day for parking which though I did notice that when we made the reservation, I thought that was a lot just to park

In my opinion, it should be free for choosing to stay there The breakfast was good but again, over priced They don’t have a pool but I was okay because I looked forward to the hot tub which was sadly closed when we were staying there So lots of plus’s and minuses but the location was worth it for our travel plans

9. Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, San Francisco

About this hotel

In an area filled with shops and eateries, this modern hotel is an 11-minute walk from entertainment options at PIER 39 and a 19-minute walk from panoramic city views at Coit Tower. It’s a 2-minute walk from the nearest cable car stop.Industrial-chic rooms, some interconnecting, feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and tea and coffeemaking facilities, plus sitting areas; some have living areas and/or city views.Amenities include a 24/7 gym, and a courtyard with a fire pit. Valet parking is available for a surcharge.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests praised the clean, large rooms and the beds
  • Walking distance to Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39
  • Guests liked that this hotel is near shopping
  • Guests liked the friendly service
  • The hotel has a game room

Feedback From Real Customers

Matt G

Overall a pretty solid Marriott right off of the wharf in San FranStayed here for just one Day/night before flying out and had a good experienceBest thing about this Marriott is its location

The hotel is in a prime stop just three blocks off the wharf and only a few blocks away from some great restaurants/barsThe hotel as a whole is very modern and has a very cool outdoor courtyard with table games, sectionals, and gas firepits My only complaint with this is they close the courtyard at 9pm I get not having it open all night but 9pm is pretty earlyRooms are pretty basic but the beds are comfy and so are the pillowsOverall not a bad spot to stay at

Paola Cooper

Fun place to stay while visiting for a quick weekend LOCATION alone would give this hotel a 5/5 Super short walk to all the sight seeing, restaurants and entertainment

The staff was very friendly and helpful They helped me use the laundry facility after hours without a problem The flavored waters and fun treats were fun to come to after a day of sight seeing Rooms were modern and clean I would stay here again

Brittany Carranza

I stayed here for the weekend with my little sister I honestly loved this hotel The room was clean and looked nice

The bathroom had a slider door, but the shower head was really nice and at a good height above my head (I’m 5’9) The bed was comfy and the pillows fluffy The only downside to the room was that it was on the street side so you could hear some noises from the street It didn’t bother us and we fell asleep easily However the hotel gives you complimentary earplugs and face masks! There is complimentary flavored water in the lobby also which is nice They have a sitting area with games, and a laundry as wellThe valet was a little annoying, as they only have one or two people working so sometimes there is a wait to get your vehicle But there is also self parking if you don’t want to use valetLocation is amazing It’s about a 15-20 minute walk to the fisherman’s wharf It’s about a 10 min walk to the cable car There’s a Walgreens across the street It’s a great locationI took a video instead of pictures but I tried to screenshot some of the video to upload They’re a little blurry

10. Claremont Club & Spa – A Fairmont Hotel (4-star hotel)

About this hotel

Opened in 1915, this stately, landmark hotel is set in woods overlooking the Bay Area. It’s 1 mile from the University of California Berkeley campus, 6 miles from the Bay Bridge, and 14 miles from Oakland Airport.The cozy, upscale rooms come with flat-screen TVs. Some have bay views. A resort fee provides access to a fitness club, a business center, 3 pools, and WiFi. Allergen-free rooms are also available.There’s a restaurant, a gastropub with live jazz (weekends), and a poolside cafe. Other amenities include a spa, tennis courts, and meeting space.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests liked the rooms
  • Guests praised the showers
  • 9 min drive to the University of California, Berkeley
  • One of the few hotels in the area with room service
  • Guests liked the restaurant
  • Guests mentioned “a tennis court” 15 times
  • Guests praised the breakfast

Feedback From Real Customers

Kim Stuart

Great location Beautiful setting Staff is SO nice that it’s almost impossible to say enough about how great they are!Only reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because some of the fixtures and furnishings are looking a bit down at the heels and that’s not quite appropriate

Time for a bit of a refreshMy bathroom shower was giant and fancy but I couldn’t get the water quite hit enough no matter how much I fiddled with that Grohe temp setting

Juliana Schroeder

I had a truly horrific experience The room cost more than $800 and there was just one issue after another The worst was that there was a 3 hour wait to get a crib, which was set up so that it folded halfway through the night and almost killed my baby

I was calling customer service for hours and when they finally answered they said “oh sorry, we were busy” Busy at midnight? That’s a ridiculous lie, they just didn’t have any manning the desk Later on, the woman at the front desk had no idea about any of the events going on My husband left his phone at the pool and then they refused to let him get it back after the pool area closed He literally didn’t have a phone all night long until I went in and negotiated with them in the morning Then housekeeping came by at 7 am and knocked loudly on the door for like 5 minutes The wake up call we definitely didn’t need I can say without a doubt that this was one of the worst hotels I’ve been to in my life

Kerry Wilson

We really enjoyed our escape to the gorgeous Claremont The building has been beautifully updated with modern decor and features, yet it maintains historic elements and charm The hotel’s location on the edge of Berkeley allows for a quiet getaway, yet it’s a short, safe walk from the shops and restaurants of College Avenue

Highly recommend upgrading to a room with a view of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge

11. Hotel Zephyr San Francisco (4-star hotel)

About this hotel

A 3-minute walk from Pier 41 in the Fisherman’s Wharf district on San Francisco Bay, this hip, nautical-themed hotel is a mile from the Exploratorium museum and 5 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge.Bright, sophisticated rooms offer free Wi-Fi and smart TVs, plus minifridges and coffeemakers. Upgraded rooms add balconies, some with bay and wharf views. The 1- and 2-bedroom suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows and sitting areas.Amenities include a colorful gym, and an airy, contemporary lounge/game room with a pool table, as well as a furnished terrace with fire pits, seating and sculptures. Parking is available for a fee.

Things You Need to Know

  • Some guests complained about the air conditioning
  • Some guests complained about the bathrooms
  • Walking distance to Pier 39 and the Aquarium of the Bay
  • Guests mentioned “shuffleboard” 25 times
  • Guests praised the lobby and the grounds
  • Guests praised the views

Feedback From Real Customers

Trever Furnish

Great location Fun lobby Great outdoor courtyard, including several fire pits and a unique form of ping pong in a tube — very fun! Fun game area inside with pool tables, ping pong, a selection of board games, TVs, etc – plenty of kids clearly loving it

Room was basic but niceUnexpectedly hard to sleep in the mornings with the sea lions on Fisherman’s Wharf constantly making a ruckus — but that’s just part of the location

Jose Alvarez

Overall my stay here has been disappointing I paid close to 300 dollars for a room without a working refrigerator This place also charges a 35 dollar ammendities fee

I contacted the front desk to which the receptionist was quick to send someone with a replacement By the time someone came in with a fridge the employee checked the current fridge and said it was still good To add a dash of condescension he stated “hotel fridges aren’t like home fridges” he then left in less than a minute and did not switch the fridge I have been to multiple hotels before so I know how “hotel fridges function” Fast forward 3 hours later my items in my fridge are still room temp At this point I have decided it’s not worth my time to pursue this further I will never return to this hotel and I recommended anyone considering coming here also consider that staff may be short and condescending To top things off the restroom exhaust fan stopped working mid day I assume at one point this place was a quality hotel For 300 dollars I expect a hospitality to match

Justin Perreault

Excellent location to use public transit and see fisherman’s wharf Lobby was fun and playfulRoom was missing a fridge, mentioned this to the front desk and was told it was because we booked through a third party site

Showed our reservation, and was given more attitude and told the fridges are just for the higher end rooms Carpet was coming up in the room and sink didn’t drainNot afraid to pay but i do expect a bit better treatment**In response to Tony, just to clarify, we booked directly through Hotel Zephyr’s website, and the confirmation listed a fridge as an in room amenity When this was shown to your staff, the attendant replied that only high end rooms have fridges We enjoyed SF, but felt the impression has already been made unfortunately

12. Graduate Berkeley (4-star hotel)

  • Address: 2600 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
  • Phone: (510) 845-8981
  • Ratings: 4.2 (599 reviews) Very good
  • Website : Graduate Berkeley
  • Check-in time: 4:00 PM
  • Check-out time: 11:00 AM
  • Quick Summary: Warm rooms in a sophisticated retreat featuring a sports bar/restaurant & Wi-Fi.

About this hotel

A 5-minute walk from the University of California, Berkeley, this refined hotel dates from 1928 and is 4 miles from Indian Rock Park and 6 miles from Jack London Square.Warmly decorated rooms feature Wi-Fi, desks and flat-screen TVs, plus iPod docks, and campus or San Francisco Bay views. Upgraded rooms have access to a private lounge.There’s a sports bar/restaurant. Parking is available, as is event space.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests liked the beds
  • Walking distance to the University of California, Berkeley and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
  • Guests mentioned the rooms are small
  • Some guests complained about the bathrooms
  • Guests praised the friendly service
  • Guests mentioned bars 36 times
  • Guests praised the breakfast
  • Guests praised the nightlife

Feedback From Real Customers

Ashley Arnold

The worst customer service I have ever experienced I emailed in early June to cancel a July reservation (just out of courtesy really- I was not expecting a refund and did not ask for one, but thought if I formally cancelled they could rebook the room) About two weeks went by and I didn’t get any response so I sent a follow-up

Two more weeks go by and no responseI decided to call then because my reservation was quickly approaching I was told no one got the emails and the reservation could no be located because the system was down They told me it was imperative that I call back tomorrow When I called back the front deck manager Fabio asked that I, not call, but email him This was different info then I’d been getting but I did itFive days went by with no response At this point I was actively getting texts from the Graduate asking me about check-in When I tried to call once more to see if my email had been received because no one ever responded Fabio told me I needed to call again tomorrow and send an email and then my reservation would be cancelled When I explained I already emailed but hadn’t gotten any responses he said “well, what do you want me to do?” and I simply said “cancel my reservation” and he HUNG UP ON MEWhen I tried to call back someone would answer and then hang up Never experienced anything like it

Thomas Bartman

There is a complete lack of customer service A few days ago I made a reservation for 2 rooms ($500/night), for a week, a year from now over the phone I was told that my card would be charged immediately for one night for each room, and the rest would be charged 30 days ahead of time which was the last day to cancel

Instead, my card was charged the full $7000 right away There’s no excuse for them to hold $7000 of my money for a year when the reservation is still cancel-able for the next 11 months I called this afternoon (and waited FIFTEEN minutes to talk to someone), and the woman said she was seeing the SAME THING I had been told before, and would bump it up the chain to get the other nights taken off my card Instead, tonight someone called me back and said that I was given the wrong information TWICE (really?), and that they would hold my $7000 for a full year before I came She had ZERO interest in understanding my argument I have NEVER had another hotel do this before the cancellation date So, here’s what I think of the Graduate: 1) most expensive place in Berkeley, 2) you get conflicting information repeatedly, 3) even paying $500/night, you have to wait on hold for 15 minutes to talk to someone or wait hours for someone to call you back, 4) their attitude is “tough luck – we’ll do what we want with no intention of trying to listen to you” Does this sound like somewhere I really want to stay? Do you?It looks like they respond to reviews – so I’ll put this question here for the eventual reply: if I can get ALL my money back 11 months from now, WHAT is the justification for the hotel to hold $7000 from now until then? What’s their motive? Holding the money offers them NO protection against me cancelling more than 30 days in advance, and I doubt they’ll give me interest on that money

Kyle Ratajczak

I’m currently sitting in room 625 and there’s a loud ticking noise behind the wall every 5 seconds This is in addition to a periodic thumping pipe noise that pops up every minute or so Needless to say it was hard to sleep in this room

I can only turn the fan on if the overhead light is also on so that’s fun Combined with small room size and things only being half renovated this hotel is not worth your time Luckily the location is decent and the first floor is charming

13. East Brother Light Station

  • Address: 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801
  • Phone: (510) 233-2385
  • Ratings: 4.8 (64 reviews) Excellent
  • Website : East Brother Light Station
  • Check-in time: 4:00 PM
  • Check-out time: 11:00 AM
  • Quick Summary: East Brother Island Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on East Brother Island in San Rafael Bay, near the tip of Point San Pablo in Richmond, California. It marks the entrance to San Pablo Bay from San Francisco Bay.

About this hotel

In a lighthouse station on East Brother Island in San Francisco Bay, this quirky B&B is 3 miles from I-580 and 11 miles from Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Marin Island National Wildlife Refuge is 13 miles away.Individually styled rooms with bay views and quaint, homey decor provide shared, private or en suite bathrooms; some have views over the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge and San Francisco. Baths and showers are available to guests staying 2 nights or more.Breakfast includes fruit, pastries and homemade granola. Champagne and a 4-course dinner, as well as a guided tour, parking and boat transfers to and from the island, are included.

Things You Need to Know

  • 22 min drive to the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge
  • Guests praised the service
  • Guests praised the breakfast
  • The hotel has a game room

Feedback From Real Customers

Natalie C

I had such a terrific time at the lighthouse with my mother for her belated Mother’s Day/birthday present This not-so-hidden gem is absolutely spectacular in its views, the quaint ambiance, its history, and the phenomenal partners that are currently running it – Stephanie and Bryan Not to mention, the food is amazing!!! It was all home made! We had a delicious appetizer, followed by a dinner of lentil soup, (so good even my mom liked it – who normally hates lentils) stuffed mushrooms, sole, and an English version of a Panna Cotta

Breakfast the next morning was a spinach and egg souffle-type concoction, fresh fruit, almond cake, and fried tomatoes I cannot emphasize enough what a wonderful place this is! I’m planning on returning!

Evan Huntzinger

Wife and I visited in May 2022 and stayed in the Marin Room The first story rooms have limited views and the SF Room, although a second story room, has limited SF view because of Richmond Bridge Marin Room has unobstructed view of Mt Tamalpais and West Brother Island

Bed too soft and small for my taste, but was adequate for one night I always bring my rock pillow when I travel Good thing I did for this trip because the lighthouse pillows were flat Our caretakers were knowledgeable, engaging and good chiefs If you’re a snacker, bring your supply For clothes, pack layers, bring a wind breaker, bring hats/beanies, assume it’ll be windy and assume it’ll be chilly NOTE: between October 1st and April 31 (verify end date) the fog horn blows for 5 seconds every 30 seconds, 24/7!

M S

Had an absolutely wonderful time! Spectacular service, uniqueness of everything from the boat ride to the rooms, nature, dinner and breakfast The hor d’oeuvre platter with champagne welcome was great! There are souvenirs you can purchase The demonstration of the fog horn was LOUD (ear protection is given) but so neat! Dining at the table and meeting the other guests was enjoyable, and before the meals, a bell 🔔 is rung outside to let you know when the meal is ready

So cool to escape to a cute island Red or white wine is served after champagne and that is refilled often with the bottles downstairs if you’d like more Coffee is ready at 6am, breakfast is 820am Seals, pelicans, seagulls, ospreys, oh my! Hehe binoculars are in all the bedrooms Wear layers, it gets chilly with the consistent wind Need was comfortable, sheets were quality and smooth So lucky and fortunate to be able to stay here If love to come back again for another chill, lovely time Thank you, Brian and Stefanie! They’re so knowledgeable, kind, warm and such wonderful hosts Learning about the history, the mechanics of how the fog horn works The detail of the napkins and how they were folded to look like a sailing boat ⛵️ You two really rock! Thank you both for such a memorable time and to all of the volunteers & people that do the upkeep of this precious and rare landmark!

14. Waterfront Hotel – JDV by Hyatt (3-star hotel)

About this hotel

Overlooking San Francisco Bay, this relaxed hotel is adjacent to Jack London Square and 1 mile from the Oakland Museum of California. It’s also 3 miles from Crown Memorial State Beach.The nautical rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and tea and coffeemakers. Some rooms offer balconies and/or harbor views. Suites add separate living spaces and/or fireplaces.Amenities include a heated outdoor pool, a sauna and an exercise room, as well as an Italian restaurant. Complimentary perks include weekday wine receptions and a local shuttle. There’s also a 24-hour business center, along with 13 meeting rooms and valet parking (fee).

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests liked the large rooms
  • 10 min drive to the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge
  • One of the few hotels in the area with room service
  • Guests mentioned balconies 23 times
  • Guests liked the breakfast
  • Guests praised the harbor views
  • The fitness center has weight machines and treadmills

Feedback From Real Customers

Pete VR

Comfortable bed The desk is a little narrow which is important for my work trips Friendly staff

No complaints with other amenities (towels, soaps, shower) I’d recommend this place Valet was reasonably fast With the exception of the coffee shop attached to the hotel, there are good dining options within walking distance Regarding coffee shop, black coffee was bitter and if I didn’t need the boost I would have poured it out I can also appreciate/understand that some places have to mark up food prices, but $4 for a grocery store cup of yogurt is excessive I should have stuck with the $6 breakfast burrito

Jess Brant

This review is difficult to write because certain aspects of the hotel are great and others are notRoom – We stayed in the nicest sweet with the exception of the penthouse, we stayed in the Jack London Suite Great size room

great layout however there are quite a few issues with the room First off the bed is extremely uncomfortable to the point where we cut our stay short by one night because we could not get a good night’s rest Second issue the sofa bed our daughter was going to sleep on was zip tied shut (no exaggeration) During our stay there was also a shortage of pillows and blankets For the room we could only get four total pillows and three blankets when I called down During my travels this is the first time there has been a shortage on pillows and blankets Another issue I had during our stay our room was never cleaned or turned downStaff – The staff is great!Location – Location is great very close to the ferry that takes you across the bay to San FranOverall review as others have stated on here, you are better off staying at a different hotel which isn’t dated/worn down The amount we spent during our stay, we also paid for the last night we didn’t even stay in the hotel Despite me bringing the issues to management there was a lack of a empathy

Paige M

The locations and views are wonderful Staff is friendly I upgraded my room and that’s where the issues started

The first room’s heat did not work We were moved to another room It was just dirty, which I noticed the next day after our late night move I brought it to front desk attention, but the report there was really nothing they could do I have reached out to Hyatt It looks so nice online and lobby is adorable Just frustrating!Edit: manager reached out and was very helpful

15. Berkeley City Club (3-star hotel)

  • Address: 2315 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
  • Phone: (510) 848-7800
  • Ratings: 4.5 (515 reviews) Excellent
  • Website : Berkeley City Club
  • Check-in time: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out time: 11:00 AM
  • Quick Summary: Elegant lodging with an indoor pool & a French restaurant, plus breakfast & parking.

About this hotel

Situated a block from the University of California Berkeley, this 1929 hotel was originally the Berkeley Women’s City Club, and is a 10-minute walk from the nearest BART station and 17 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge.Simple, homey rooms are TV-free and furnished with antiques and old-world decor. Suites include separate sitting areas. They all offer Wi-Fi and city views, and some provide views of the bridge.There’s a heated indoor pool, a TV room, a French restaurant and a cocktail lounge. Parking and continental breakfast are available.

Things You Need to Know

  • 9 min walk to the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
  • Some guests complained about the air conditioning
  • Guests praised the friendly service
  • Guests praised the French restaurant
  • Guests liked “gardens”, mentioned 10 times in reviews
  • Guests praised the architecture
  • Guests liked the breakfast

Feedback From Real Customers

Harnek Singh

We stayed here during a recent trip to BerkeleyVery nice and clean with great architectural details Beautiful courtyard gardens to relax and acceptable breakfast included in the price

Nice staff We needed a change a date to our reservation just a day before getting here, and we were allowed to check out little later than the time Lots of interesting places to eat nearby Good sunset views over SF

16. Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf (4-star hotel)

About this hotel

This upscale hotel is a 6-minute walk from Fisherman’s Wharf, 7 minutes on foot from Pier 39 and 16 miles from San Francisco International Airport.The refined rooms include Wi-Fi, flat-screens, minibars and coffeemakers. Upgraded rooms offer city views. Suites add separate living areas with pull-out sofas; some feature fireplaces. Room service is available.Amenities consist of morning coffee in the lobby, use of loaner bikes and iPads, as well as access to an off-site fitness center. There’s a stylish bar and a trattoria-style restaurant. There’s also a business center. Breakfast and parking are offered, and pets are welcome, all for a fee.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests liked the clean rooms and praised the beds
  • Walking distance to Pier 39 and the Aquarium of the Bay
  • Guests liked that this hotel is near shopping
  • One of the few hotels in the area with room service
  • Guests mentioned the service is friendly
  • Guests praised the restaurant
  • Guests liked the concierge, mentioned 18 times in reviews
  • Some guests complained about the fitness center

Feedback From Real Customers

Christopher Collupy

Very nice hotel Very friendly and helpful staff Very clean room

We had a double queen room which was very adequate although a bit small in space Very little drawer space but has a closet Bathroom clean and of good size Weak pressure in the shower but that’s probably due to water savingAll in all we would highly recommend this hotel to family and friends

Devin Siebold

The property and location are nice However, it clearly states on hotelscom they have a fitness center on site

They do not Then they charge you a mandatory 3400 for use of a “local fitness club” which is actually the generic fitness room of another hotel they own over half a mile away The key they gave me didn’t work to get into the center and it’s not a club or what they describe They also say “fitness classes and yoga” on the listing but they do not have that, neither does the other hotel they send you to As a Silver Hotelscom member they state a bottle of wine per stay is free I asked, they said it should be in my room but it wasn’t so I asked again and they said housekeeping would bring me one and they never did They have no bellman and the person at the front door just hits the handicapped button to open it instead of actually holding the door for you I stay at a lot of similarly priced hotels (it was 340 for one night) and the service and amenities here are not up to par Especially with what is around, even next door there is a Hyatt with everything that Zoe describes and more Seems like they really want extra money and lots of up charges in your room, more so than usual Everything is for sale Lastly, the TV was just installed and randomly switches to the Home Screen over and over no matter which channel you’re watching Close to the tourist area is the main perk, but there are better so keep looking

Natasha Schroeder

Stay here is always excellent! Close walking distance to a lot of things Very clean hotel fabulous staff and the valet guys are great!! We have stayed here 4 times As far as we are concerned it’s the only place to stay for us when visiting SF

The last two times we have visited they were doing touch up paint around the hotel, they like to keep everything looking top notch Staff is very helpful and the restaurant next door is a good place to eat Would recommend to anyone!!

17. Hotel Del Sol (3-star hotel)

  • Address: 3100 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94123
  • Phone: (415) 921-5520
  • Ratings: 4.2 (529 reviews) Very good
  • Website : Hotel Del Sol
  • Check-in time: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out time: 12:00 PM
  • Quick Summary: Plush, colorful quarters in a boutique hotel with an outdoor pool & continental breakfast.

About this hotel

In a former 1950s motor inn, this funky boutique hotel is an 11-minute walk from Marina Green Park, 2 miles from Fisherman’s Wharf and less than a mile from Fort Mason.Colorful, quirky rooms feature Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks and designer toiletries; most have air-conditioning. Some rooms offer pool views, and family rooms provide extra beds. Suites include 47-inch TVs and pull-out sofas, while upgraded suites add kitchenettes and coffeemakers.Continental breakfast is available. There’s a heated, outdoor saltwater pool, on-site parking, and a lush courtyard with hammocks. Dog-related perks include beds, bowls, and treats.

Things You Need to Know

  • 4 min drive to the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
  • Guests praised the friendly service
  • Guests liked the clean rooms but some disliked the kitchenettes
  • Guests praised the restaurant
  • Guests mentioned “hammocks” 12 times
  • Guests praised the grounds
  • Guests praised the breakfast
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a pool

Feedback From Real Customers

Pamela NelsH

We 100% adored this property I love a place with a retro vibe Even though the building is “vintage”, it was clean, cute and comfortable

Beds were a dream Staff was SUPER friendly Free breakfast was awesome and way more than expected Pretty sure the almond filled croissant and coffee would have cost me $10 around the corner Location can’t be beat and is walking distance from so much My only small advice would be to have refrigerator in the room Other than that 10/10

NANCY GONZALEZ

The people that work at this hotel are all very helpful, super friendly The hotel is very clean The hotel is located in a quiet neighborhood with easy access to restaurant and transportation just down the street

Very close to the ocean so at night when the city is quiet you can hear the boats blow horn My family and I were very happy to stay at this hotel My kids specially enjoyed the pool and fresh cookies everyday

Kay Gee

Great hotel in a great location The rooms are comfortable, spacious and clean The hotel is on the pricey side but staff are friendly

Note that the King rooms don’t have a fridge or a kettle Also, they charge you a $50 bond per day that is (hopefully) later being released when you leave However, they don’t mention this during check in! So that can be a bit of a surprise when you check your bank account Cleaning service is only available upon request Another thing that could easily be mentioned during check in The heating unit wasn’t working and took a while to fix but staff were helpful

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