Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

The Shattuck Plaza is an independent full service hotel. It's about a block from the downtown BART station and has a full service restaurant and bar. It's reasonably pleasant, but some rooms are small. Rooms have coffee makers and desks. Some have good views. Like the Durant, it's in an older approximately nine story building that's been completely redone recently. The Durant had been rundown for many years but this has changed; however, it has a popular (with students) bar that can be a bit rowdy or noisy when it's busy. The Shattuck Plaza seems to attract a more mature and sophisticated clientele, as does the Bancroft Inn (if it's still operating, food service only at breakfast except for special events, no restaurant or bar).The Claremont is a historic and iconic hotel (or they would say resort) in a minor way. Again, it has had a major renovation.

With a car, one might want to consider hotels along the waterfront. There were (don't know if they're still in business) a few "budget" (independent and budget chain) hotels between Shattuck Avenue and the Berkeley Marina, but be careful.

Traditionally UC Berkeley sells rooms in some of its undergraduate dorms to the general public in the summer. One should expect shared bathrooms down the hall, no housekeeping service, and limited front desk hours, almost like a hostel but with sheets and towels provided.

You could also consider hotels in nicer areas of Oakland (Jack London Square?) or anything that's very close to a BART station.

Shattuck Plaza has been aggressively discounting its hotel rooms recently. Today I received a buy tow nights, get one free offer in my email, so be sure to look for deals on their website.

BTW, Shattuck Plaza might not be the best choice for someone with mobility issues as there is a half flight of steps from the entrance to the lobby and IIRC some steps from the sidewalk to the door. While there is a wheelchair lift device,, this might not be convenient. Women's Faculty Club also has steps to the front entrance and a workaround consisting of a ramp to the basement combined with an elevator; I suspect that the arrangement in "The" Faculty Club is similar with a ramp to the entrance and then an elevator inside. IIRC Bancroft had some steps to the entrance too (and a very tight parking lot). Other establishments tend to have their main entrance at sidewalk level and all of the lobby floor on one level, with no sunken areas, etc.