karenkay

due to a skunk attack on the house and resulting 2am rude awakening last time we were there for the holidays, we no longer stay with hubby's parents (a few days of stench for a fine outcome ). we've tried the radisson clubsport in walnut creek, which i usually get on priceline, and it's perfectly okay--i love the yoga classes--but mr kk wasn't thrilled with the service we received last time. (perhaps it was because we smelled like skunk!)

that said, we'll go back unless someone has a better suggestion. the claremont in berkely looks nice, but we don't really want to spend that much. (best i could find was $189++ plus a $24 daily resort fee...) are there deals to be had? is there something else there i'm missing? i don't know the area, so am hoping i'm missing a gem.

nicer hotels all seem to be closer to sfo, and we'll be going to piedmont daily for holiday festivities, so distance and traffic are an issue.

thanks in advance!

Eastbay1K

There isn't much in the decent lodging department. The Claremont from most accounts isn't even that great, and is expensive. You could stay in downtown Oakland at the Marriott or the Courtyard, but during off hours, there's nothing open, and not great walking during the nighttime. You could also stay in Emeryville (HGI, Four Points, Courtyard, and a couple of others) which would probably be my first choice for convenience. You have a small mall with theaters, a strip mall with Trader Joes, and a handful of restaurants, and free parking at your hotel.

l etoile

The Waterfront Plaza Hotel on the water (how appropriate) at Jack London Square could be an option... I've not stayed there, but friends have and seemed pleased. http://www.waterfrontplaza.com/

TheDudeAbides

In this situation, I'd stay at the Claremont resort--five to ten minutes to nearly all spots in Piedmont. It wouldn't be worth it to me to drive all over Oak town just to save a few bucks a night.

squeakr

http://www.bbonline.com/ca/berkeley-...d/region5.html


of these I know the Redwood House, which is very nice as an upscale homestay type B+B


I also can vouch for the Rose Garden inn on Lower Telegraph in Berkeley - maybe a bit farther than you'd like but very nice accomodations - we used to put visiting faculty there for seminars etc.
http://www.rosegardeninn.com/

sithjedi333

Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa

dhuey

That'd be worth it only if it's substantially cheaper than the Claremont. You can't beat the Claremont's proximity to Piedmont. BTW, I'm a member of the Club at the Claremont, so if you post or PM your dates, I could check on the member "guest" rates.

Eastbay1K

I have a $400 spa certificate for there - just looking to set aside an afternoon where I can relax

dhuey

$400 -- are you serious? That's way too much spa for my tastes. I had a two-hour massage once, which was about 75 minutes longer than I really wanted.

Eastbay1K

Yes, I'm serious. An 80 minute massage gives the therapist enough time to work on a few bad back spots and generally other areas, and then I figure I'd have some other sort of treatment - there is a whole book of possibilities. It was a gift. I suppose I could also split it into 2 visits.

karenkay

thanks for the kind offer, we're planning to be there dec 22-27...i'd be curious to see what kind of rates you get for that! i think our rates (via priceline, granted) around christmas hovered around the $100 mark for the clubsport, plus parking...of course, not having to drive out to walnut creek has its benefits as well.

side note--a two hour massage can be a glorious thing! ^

dhuey

That's what I'd do -- if not four visits.

cblaisd

Well, for my tastes I'd split it into at least 48 visits. That's way time enough

There's a Doubletree in Emeryville that gets mixed reviews.

Eastbay1K

There is? There's one in the Berkeley Marina. No one seems to love it.

cblaisd

My bad. I meant Berkeley. It was the thought of all that massaging that addled me.