Hilton HHonors - Homewood Suites by Hilton @ Oakland-Waterfront?

My wife and I will be visiting the Oakland/San Francisco bay area over the July 4th weekend (7/3-7/5) and in the past when we flew into SFO, we stayed at the downtown Hilton at O'Farrell and it was great! This time, we're flying into OAK and plan to explore outside the city of SFO and into the surrounding areas (Monterey , Fremont, wine country, etc. come into mind; PM me if you have any suggestion as to the "must see" places) and will have a rental car for the duration of our stay.

In looking at the various HHonors properties, I noticed that the Homewood Suites by Hilton at the Oakland-Waterfront is located off I-880 and is only 10 minutes from OAK. They're also offering a special of $89/night.

Anybody here have any experiences, good or bad, with this particular property?

Thanks,
David

I have never stayed there, but I drive past on 880 all the time. It is fairly new and looks nice from the outside. You must definitely get a room facing the water. To face 880 would be most unpleasant, I would think, between the noise of the constant day and night traffic (including lots and lots of big rigs) and the unappetizing view of 880 and railroad tracks.

Also, it is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. You will need to drive to any restaurants, etc. You may wish to consider the Hilton OAK Airport instead. Still rather isolated but at least it has a restaurant on-site and 880 is easily accessible for your touring plans. The HHonors floor rooms are quite pleasant, but there is no executive lounge.

Personally, I cannot think of much of anything to do in the East Bay. The Napa/Sonoma wine country will likely be a zoo on July 4th weekend -- it is always dreadfully crowded on every summer weekend (it is also quite a drive from Oakland). There are some nice wineries in the Livermore Valley, which might be an alternative (although, again, a bit of a drive).

Finally, remember that it can be really COLD in the Bay Area in July (no one ever believes it until they experience it, but it is too true -- selling sweatshirts to tourists is big business in SF). Occasionally, it has even been warm. So bring layers of clothing.

That location probably isn't too "central" for doing much - and if you are wanting to do more "North Bay" things, you may find yourself going through the Bay Bridge maze area at hours you wish you weren't (which on weekends, can be much of the day). You aren't far from Jack London Square in Oakland for some dining options (but again, you will need to get into your car for everything), and there's a great place to taste wine in Alameda (a really quick drive from there).

... there's a great place to taste wine in Alameda (a really quick drive from there).

You are right, Eastbay1K, I had forgotten about Rosenblum Winery. It is definitely not "wine country" ambiance (it is in a big, old warehouse next to the old Alameda Naval Air Station) but it's Zins are excellent! One could tour the aircraft carrrier (the Hornet?) at Alameda Naval also, if that is of interest. You are also correct that there is always a lot of traffic on the weekends, and there is going to be a LOT of traffic July 4th weekend!

One gem in the area of the OAK HS is Oakland's Chinatown, a section of downtown Oakland. It is a "real" chinatown, that is, a chinatown that hasn't been turned into a tourist destination like San Francisco's. If you get a hankering for dim sum at 3:00 am, you are ideally situated.

I would also recommend checking out the Oakland Museum of California (http://www.museumca.org/), a unique piece of local culture, and the phenomenal Paramount Theatre (http://www.paramounttheatre.com/schedule.html), a restored art deco house where they show classic movies complete with an emcee, door prizes, newsreels and cartoons. Both of these are also downtown.

Finally, enjoy the nearby Grand Lake neighborhood, just outside of downtwon, where there is a historic current run theatre (http://www.renaissancerialto.com/current/grandlake.htm) and many nice restaurants and shops. Very, very good donuts in the bakery on Grand a block or two up from the theater.

In my opinion, there is much to see and do right in the immediate Oakland and Berkeley area. If your curiosity is piqued for more exploring, consider the follwing neighborhoods:
Rockridge/College Ave
Piedmont Ave
Fruitvale
the Oakland and Berkeley hills
the UC Berkeley area and downtown Berkeley.

Hmmm... maybe I'm overdue for a visit. :)

this is wandering far afield form a Hilton post...so if the OP wants info on the Bay Area I would suggest he post in the TravelBuzz or Local /San Francisco forums.

BTW Monterey PARK is near LA...MONTEREY is 4 hrs South of SF... :)


thanks

squeakr
MOD Hilton

this is wandering far afield form a Hilton post...so if the OP wants info on the Bay Area I would suggest he post in the TravelBuzz or Local /San Francisco forums.

BTW Monterey PARK is near LA...MONTEREY is 4 hrs South of SF... :)


thanks

squeakr
MOD Hilton

Thanks everyone for the suggestions to the hotels and alternatives (squeakr, thanks for the correction on Monterey vs. Monterey Park; didn't realize that it's two different places! :rolleyes: I've edited the original post to reflect this, and sorry for straying off-topic)

Hilton @ OAK: Stayed there once before during a mileage and mattress run. Current available lowest rate is $80/night. During my last stay (back in 2/04), the elevators were out but at least we were only on the third floor. No upgrades even for Gold (at that time).

Correct me if I'm wrong but there aren't any Hilton brand hotels right in downtown Oakland itself, right? According to the map on HHonors, the closest to Oakland seem to be the Homewood Suites.

I'm thinking since we're only in SFO/OAK for only two days and will likely scale back on some of the plans to journey to the outskirts (didn't realize that Monterey is 4 hours drive from SFO! :eek: ), maybe we'll confine ourselves to the downtown SFO and Oakland area, and maybe places that are within an hour to two drive away.

Thanks, all! :)

Correct me if I'm wrong but there aren't any Hilton brand hotels right in downtown Oakland itself, right? According to the map on HHonors, the closest to Oakland seem to be the Homewood Suites.

Thanks, all! :)

That's right. Don't forget there's a new HGI in San Leandro, just a quick hop from the airport on the other side. The next HH property in the East Bay up from Oakland is at the Berkeley marina.

Stayed at this hotel once last year.
The waterfront view was great so was the bed.
However, will never stay at this hotel again due to the poor insulations.
Noise from the room above and next doors (showers, kids running, loud TV, etc) kept us up almost the whole night.
Stay away unless you plan to party all night or have very good earplugs.

That's right. Don't forget there's a new HGI in San Leandro, just a quick hop from the airport on the other side. The next HH property in the East Bay up from Oakland is at the Berkeley marina.

The property in Berkeley is a Doubletree. Berkeley is really not that far away from the Homewood Suites, perhaps 5 miles?, but I seem to recall that the Doubletree has received bad reviews. You may want to do a search on this forum, if you are considering it.

The property in Berkeley is a Doubletree. Berkeley is really not that far away from the Homewood Suites, perhaps 5 miles?, but I seem to recall that the Doubletree has received bad reviews. You may want to do a search on this forum, if you are considering it.

It's about 6-10 miles depending on where in Berkeley you're going.

And at certain times of the day it can take a long time

The property in Berkeley is a Doubletree. Berkeley is really not that far away from the Homewood Suites, perhaps 5 miles?, but I seem to recall that the Doubletree has received bad reviews. You may want to do a search on this forum, if you are considering it.

The Homewood Suites in OAK should do just fine. I agree with one previous suggestion... ask for a room facing the water. You will be looking out at Alameda. It is easy to get to (16th Avenue exit off 880 S or 5th Avenue exit off 880 N) and within minutes from Jack London and Chinatown. It is in an industrial area and the restaurant next door, Oyster Reef is no longer open. The property is well kept and pretty safe. There is a police station one block down. Right around the corner is a floating museum, an old ship that was restored and open for viewing. I have a business a driver and a five iron away so my information is very accurate. It is a good place to spend the nights but definitely nothing around the area, other than the floating museum is walking distance.

The Homewood Suites in OAK should do just fine. I agree with one previous suggestion... ask for a room facing the water.

Thanks, everyone for the suggestions.

I've gone ahead and booked the Homewood Suites by Hilton @ OAK at their special $89/night rate which states it's a "STUDIO STE/1QN/CITYSIDE/NS". I did put in a request in the comment section for "Request water view room" but I'm not sure if I'll get it, so keeping my fingers crossed. :D

Will post a report when we get back.

Thanks,
David

I'm staying there in two weeks.. but did want to mention the HGI San Leandro. It's my personal fave right now. I stayed there two months ago while attending a class in San Leandro. Pretty nice hotel and easy location. However, right now I'm batting 2 for 2 on the guarantee since Expedia seems to keep showing a lower rate for the HGI.

That will make three successful guarantees including a night at the Hilton Fisherman's Wharf.

Stay Report January 2005
Homewood Suites
1103 Embarcadero
Oakland, California 94606
1-510-663-2700

I reserved a ROH no smoking Queen studio – $134 was the lowest rate for a weekday; I used my AAA card. Taxes made the total $148.85.

The three story hotel sprawls on its waterfront property, has gorgeous views but is next to the freeway (I-880) and could be noisy if you have a freeway-side room, in spite of its excellent sound proofing. The building appears new, spic and span clean, and the desk staff were so welcoming and friendly I felt like a very regular and welcome guest – yet they were extremely efficient. They emphasized the money-back satisfaction guarantee, the unhosted “drink and munch hour” starting at 5:30 PM, breakfast hours, and asked me if I wanted a wake up call (I did) or anything else. I inquired about a taxi the following morning, and they wrote up an order for one – telling me they would schedule it to be there when I wanted it (and indeed, it was ten minutes early.).

The hotel was half-filled and I was given a corner room on the second floor (#301,) with decent waterfront views and quiet. I was impressed by the attention to soundproofing the next morning, when I realized I had several unheard neighbors, and a walk revealed considerable freeway noise and smaller reciprocating aircraft overhead from the airport – none of which I heard in my room. Maybe it was the second floor, and the fact I was at the north end of the building: I was pleasantly surprised - especially after reading a previous post about noise.

The studio was spacious and well laid-out: spacious bath with nice shower on the right of the entry door, furnished with thick linens (for the level of hotel) as well as soaps, shampoo and lotion. On the left, a very serviceable kitchenette with capacious fridge, microwave, dishwasher loaded with clean dinnerware for four, a cooktop with two electric burners, a small collection of clean pots and pans, and a basket with coffees, teas, microwave popcorn and an order form for any food you wanted purchased in your absence – to be stocked in your kitchen while you are out and charged to your room folio. A dining room table and chairs for four were stocked with a gift of a small bag of shortbread biscuits and two large bottles of Dasani water.

The room itself was clean and smelled fresh, and well laid out with a comfortable Queen bed with good fittings and pillows, sofa and table, television with the usual Lodgenet services, it appeared like, phones, desk with comfortable task chair and free ADSL HIS (cable connection on desk with fixed Cat5,) the usual phones and clock radio, bedside tables and plenty of lamps for light. The window HVAC worked efficiently and quietly, and the large but silenced windows included sliding glass doors and a small terrace overlooking the waterfront. After settling in, I was called by the front desk to see if I was satisfied with the room or if I wanted anything.

The no-host “manager’s” reception highlighted “meatball subs” with well-made moderately spiced meatballs in a tomato sauce, rolls and condiments, a salad with four dressings, wines, beers and sodas. Everything was well-served, and again staff were friendly.

Morning breakfast was efficient, offering orange juice that tasted a bit watered down and cranberry juice, decent coffees and tea. There were apples, bananas, cereals and milk, four kinds of bagels with Neufchatel cheese, rather nasty looking boxed donuts, and two breads, waffles and “French” bread, all for the toaster. The hot dishes consisted of paper-thin and very greasy bacon and little stiff yellow cartwheels of what purported to be eggs. By and large, there were enough choices so I had my usual Continental breakfast, and I avoided the eggs and bacon options.

Checkout was automatic with the bill under the door, and as I dropped my keycards off the manager asked me about my stay. I told him I would stay here again if I had reason to stay in the area (possibly in preference to the Oakland Airport Hilton,) and that he should be proud of his desk staff – a number of higher level hotels I have stayed in (including the OAK Hilton) would love to have such well-trained and gracious staff.

I would stay here again in a heartbeat – for an overnight, as this was, or a longer stay, as some of the health professionals I saw about in hospital scrubs were doing. I would be sure to ask for a second floor, odd-numbered room at the ends of the hallways, to minimize freeway and other noise. Location was decent for work I had in downtown Oakland, and it is very close to Jack London Square with its restaurants and conveniences, as well as the Oakland (OKJ) AMTRAK station (a $4 taxi ride away; downtown was about $7; OAK International is about 7 miles / $20 by taxi.) Parking is free and plentiful, and you do need a car if you are going to do some traveling around here.

If you ask, the hotel will gladly use its van to take you anywhere within 2 or 3 miles for free. Also, while most rooms are quiet avoid rooms 120, 220 and 320. I mean REFUSE to accept them under any circumstances. There's equipment behind them (particularly 120). You WILL hear it.

Thanks, JDiver, for the detailed and positive review. I'm planning on traveling to the East Bay more often this year and will be giving some of the local Hilton products a try.

Next week I will be staying at the Hayward Hampton Inn. I'm not expecting much, but the price is right and its near my morning meeting.

Next week I will be staying at the Hayward Hampton Inn. I'm not expecting much, but the price is right and its near my morning meeting.

The Hayward HI is your standard Hampton Inn, and is actually quite good considering the price. I booked four rooms for a school-related function a couple of years ago (under my HHonors number) and they gave the Hampton Touch for all of them. :)

Mike