Berkeley City Club Hotel

This is a really wonderful gem of a hotel in downtown Berkeley. The whole space is so beautifully crafted - there are details everywhere and the history of the Julia Morgan designed building is rich. The room was quant with a spacious bathroom and real working windows with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. We got complimentary beverages at the bar and breakfast was plentiful. The pool is just so cool. There are several rules, so call early and ask about pool use. I would happily go back.

Easy to walk to Greek Theater, Interesting history, good food! Beautiful indoor pool only available for lap swimming, no free swim. The bar doesn’t open till 4 pm & closes early. Expedia room gives you the one by the elevator.

Love the old building, such a great piece of history for Berkeley. The architecture and pool were amazing. Plus the little quiet green space courtyard. Staff all very friendly. The room was comfortable and quaint. Great location too. Only downside was construction a few doors down, which started very early. And some college kids doing some workout chanting at 6:30 but you can’t fault the property for those.

Excellent location and stunning property. Unique in that has pool, laundry, fitness center and restaurant on site. The architecture of the building is stunning.

The Berkeley City Club is truly a landmark of Moorish design by architect Julia Morgan. The public spaces are beautiful, gracious and comfortable. The rooms are on the small side, but clean and comfortable, and the original bathroom had good water pressure, which makes up for the old style fixtures. As long as you're prepared to be in a historical building, without a ton of fancy modern amenities, and you bring your bathing suit so you can SWIM in the GORGEOUS mosaic swimming pool, you will have a great time!

The Berkeley City Club is a hidden gem in Berkeley. We love the beautiful architecture, courtyard, restaurant and bar there. It feels like you are stepping back in time and it's such a beautiful property. The bathrooms in the rooms have older fixtures but work very well and there was plenty of hot water with good water pressure. Beds were comfy and the property was very quiet at night. One room had a large step up to the bathroom, so ask for a room without this if you are concerned about tripping in the middle of the night or need an ADA accessible room. Some rooms are smaller than newer hotel properties, but there is a very large closet and many rooms have beautiful views. There was no tv in the rooms we have had, which we didn't miss at all. Parking is free and right next door. We have not had any issues the two times we have stayed/parked there. The common areas are so unique and gorgeous. Go for a swim, sit in the courtyard, and enjoy the large, included breakfast with many options. We will definitely be back.

We were disappointed that the pool hours were for lap swimming only but for a couple hours on a couple days per week. There seemed to be no temperature control in the room - just a ceiling fan. Luckily for us, the temperature was acceptable. Rooms are small, bathroom is small. No parking was available one night but we weren't charged for it that night. Breakfast offered a nice variety of options with a quiet and formal vibe. We liked the hotel stay overall but perhaps the lack of modern updates would not warrant such high room rates.

Beautiful building with moorish gothic architecture and a beautiful indoor pool. The staff are friendly and very nice to speak with. They also have amazing food and many beautiful rooms for different activities that the members use for all variety of events and activities. Just incredible place and reasonable rates for such an elegant hotel.

What a hidden gem! This is a beautiful hotel with a rich history. Safe onsite parking and walking distance to Berkeley campus and the Greek theater. Friendly staff and volunteers. Only downside was the bar/lounge and restaurant was closed when we were there (Sunday/Monday) which I get but I think if there are guests, you should be open. But the lounge was open so we brough our own drinks and enjoyed the ambiance. Wonderful continental breakfast included in stay. Highly recommend and can't wait to go back!

Beautiful property. Swimming pool requires reservations from 6 AM - 12 PM. No television in room.

This is a beautiful historic property which is also a private club. Built in 1929 so this gorgeous structure has some aging issues. You know that as a guest. No TV, and no AC. You can deal. But as an owner you need to be responsible. So when the bathroom sink leaked and the closet light didn't work, we reported those things as we left for a 4 hour hospital treatment. When we returned nothing had been done. They miscommunicated about the maintenance and didn't have another room. So we decided to leave. At departure they then offered an upgrade to another room, but couldn't refund the night we hadn't used although we were checking out before 1:00pm. I won't stay again, but you must see the building because it is a treasure. Not the management, but the building.

The Berkeley City Club is an historic hotel designed by the famed architect Julia Morgan. Location is terrific and just a block from UC-Berkeley. The club is a Berkeley landmark and some of the public areas still have some of the charm that would've been present in 1930. However, the club/hotel is in need of significant renovations and/or restorations. The rooms are very small (to be expected in an older building) but are NOT well appointed. Cheap vinyl floors, broken furniture, and poor lighting were sources of disappointment. No a/c either.

The hotel is architecturally stunning and oozing charm. However, it is outdated in every way imaginable. The beds are uncomfortable, the room was noisy and so hot, you can’t control the temperature in your room. There are no tv’s. The bathroom was dingy and the whole room smelled like a goodwill, you know the smell, old musk. The neighborhood was nightmare. It was loud and they are sandwiched between studen services and a free clinic. Homeless people roam around like zombies and doesn’t feel safe. I was woken up at midnight by endless screaming. It was frightening.

Building is gorgeous! Great location However our room was tiny, bathroom super old, bed small and uncomfortable very difficult to find a working outlet anywhere For almost $400 I’d expect more!

PROS: good mattress, windows that open in room and bathroom, bathroom renovated and bright. CONS: besides the bed, furniture was old and beat up-see photo. Door require key to lock and unlock. Big gap under the door so noise from the hallway and other guests was disruptive. Cups in room were cheap plastic single-use. Heater was not adjustable and was an old wall radiator which was noisy during early evening. Wall art and lamps could have come from a garage sale. No TV in room, wifi signal weak.

Very nice older hotel. Much provenance. A bit dusty and dark but a classic hotel and beautiful in design. Staff was very good. Food was very nice. Location was outstanding for access to the University.

This was my first visit to the Berkeley City Club Hotel, and I absolutely fell in love with it. The building is a historic Berkeley landmark, beautifully preserved and refreshingly unspoiled. It made me want to linger indoors, which is easy to do with its inviting amenities—an indoor swimming pool, a restaurant, a bar, and plenty of cozy spots to sit and relax both inside and out. My room was charming and spotless. It was nicely furnished with an armchair and a writing desk, and a large window that looked out over the parking lot and a portion of the UC campus. The bed felt like a twin but was very comfortable. The bathroom, though small, was beautifully tiled—clean, with reliably hot water and thick towels. For two people sharing, the size might be a bit tight, but it worked well for me. There’s no air conditioning, but my room had a ceiling fan, which was more than sufficient during my stay. It was about 65° during the day, and given that Berkeley’s climate is similar to San Francisco’s, I imagine it’s only an issue for a few weeks out of the year. Still, something to consider if you’re especially sensitive to heat. I would stay here again in a heartbeat and would love a longer stay to really soak it all up. Highly recommended!

Standard rooms are basic. Door handle on bathroom was broken — the door would only stay shut when you were inside it and locked the door. Great history but tired.

The room was very cold. No fan in the bathroom so the floor and the toilet paper got super wet.

The building is gorgeous. Rooms are small, as I expected, but they are very clean and our stay was quiet and peaceful. The building itself has so much to offer, if you are a history buff/Julia Morgan fan. The pool and gardens are enchanting. We arrived late in the evening on a Thursday night and the front desk clerk was amazing. She was so kind and welcoming. Put us at ease immediately. The other staff members we ran in to while checking things out were just as friendly and pleasant. Such a cool place!

Expensive, noisy, no desk

The location is great! This property is unique - very pretty inside! Great breakfast. The room is small and the bed is small. Only two people can fit in this room! But it worked for us and we had a view of the Golden Gate bridge from our room on a higher floor. Also - no tv in room.

This is an historic building; one cannot deny that. Unless your home is historic, however, you may not be aware of all that the "historic" label entails, including: small rooms, almost zero available outlets, really tricky climate control [the radiator had a vendetta against my sleep habits], small beds, tiny bathrooms with zero counter space. Now, fans of "historic properties" will tut tut these concerns, and that's lovely! For the rest of us, know before you buy...

Building is gorgeous! Great location However our room was tiny, bathroom super old, bed small and uncomfortable very difficult to find a working outlet anywhere For almost $400 I’d expect more!

Very much enjoyed staying in this classic hotel. Designed by the same architect that designed Hearst Castle, It has beautiful public spaces with beautful carved wood and tile. The rooms are old with fixtures from the 1920's or 30's but comfortable and functional. Staff was friendly; breakfast included and was a step above the Hampton Inn style breakfast. The hotel is dark in part because of the dark wood but also because of the lighting-perhaps some LED lighting might help that. Location is spectacular-two blocks from UC Berkeley campus but surprisingly quiet. Our room had a view of the Bay. I would gladly stay there again. The place has character.

This is such a beautiful historic hotel! The bed was really comfortable and the shower had great water pressure. Room 408 has a nice view of the Golden Gate Bridge. And bring a bathing suit because their indoor pool is magical.

Historic property in a great location. Very accessible and easy walk in and around the university, friendly and helpful staff, but no coffee makers in the room, no TV’s in the rooms and poor water pressure for showering. The little things do add up.

Standard rooms are basic. Door handle on bathroom was broken — the door would only stay shut when you were inside it and locked the door. Great history but tired.

Beautiful historic building in the heart of the Berkeley campus. Building shows its age and lacks a few creature comforts. No TV in guest rooms, but fast internet let us easily stream on our iPad. We will stay again, but if you go be prepared for a beautiful well run facility a few decades behind in technology and modern conveniences.

...a great fan of the Berkeley Club ...one or two observations...check in was a little slow, seemed as though the desk was a little short handed at the check in time of 3pm...also, water pressure on floor 6 was a little weak, probably due to everyone wanting to shower @ 7am, as I did... ...minor points though...have always really liked the place...

Love the old building, such a great piece of history for Berkeley. The architecture and pool were amazing. Plus the little quiet green space courtyard. Staff all very friendly. The room was comfortable and quaint. Great location too. Only downside was construction a few doors down, which started very early. And some college kids doing some workout chanting at 6:30 but you can’t fault the property for those.

Super friendly service! Would stay again.

Staff was terrific, great location, and historic building beautifully restored and maintained!

Believe the pictures. This is an architecturally interesting property, but it seems the owners are not investing in its upkeep. The rooms are not meant for business travelers - no desk, no proper chair to sit. The wifi in my room was not reliable. The furniture seems old but not in a stylish kind of way. Very clean linens on an old mattress. I was not welcomed by the desk clerk when I arrived. Instead the clerk told me they had cancelled my reservation because of my late arrival. I got the sense that the clerk felt they were doing me a favor to check in The towels were changed each day and the bed made, which I appreciated. And the linens were fresh. The breakfast feels rationed. They only serve a very limited menu for a short window. Don’t come before 7:00 AM and don’t come after 9:30 AM. There are few restaurants in the area.

I arrived not knowing where to enter the building. There is no signage. The receptionist was kind, however when giving me the keys to my room, she said the room number out loud. (Thought this was a big no no.). The room was fine and bed was comfortable. The first morning, I hung the do not disturb sign on door. I am one person and don't need my room cleaned. When I returned to my room, I noticed that it had been entered. This made me feel very uncomfortable.

Great location. Comfortable Bed. Fabulous service.

I truly enjoyed my stay at Berkeley City Club Hotel! As a solo traveler that spends lots of weeks on the road, this was a beautiful, safe, and classy place to stay. The history of the building shines through its character. There are lots of activities happening throughout the hotel -- I often heard someone playing the piano as I walked downstairs, or music lessons going on. The parking lot is incredibly convenient, and the staff are caring and welcoming. I grabbed a drink at the hotel bar, Morgan's, and loved the atmosphere. The hotel is right by the Cal campus, so there were students roaming up and down the streets on occasion. Overall, an incredible experience -- if you are in the area and looking for somewhere to stay, this is it!

First, I want to say that we absolutely ADORE this hotel. We love, love, love the architectural details, history and location. It's just lovely! We stayed here a couple years ago during Covid and it was a perfect stay. We were very disappointed in the front dest staff this time, unfortunately. We arrived too early to check in (1:30pm - check in is at 3). Ok, no problem, we could wait in the lobby. At 3, 3:30, 4, 4:30, room still not ready due to a full house (supposedly) - no apology, no other room available. We were finally given Rm 308 and saw many clean, empty rooms with open doors on the 3rd floor! Asked for a 1/2 hour late check-out and they didn't want to give (until I complained about the check-in issue). They Ok'd it, saying they'd have to delay the check-in of the incoming guest due to being "fully booked." Wait, isn't check-in at 3? Does it take 2 1/2 hours to clean a room? I worked in hotel management for years, so not buying it. Looking online at their availability for that night, they had many rooms available to book, so I don't understand the deception and inflexible rudeness we received. I suggest better training in customer service for your front office staff.

A hotel without concierge, with out shower handle without tv and everything closes by 9.30 pm, untrained front desk. we are an elderly couple we had no help from no one for our luggage and just a FAKE smile. I wished I booked else where instead of this under staffed place.

Berkeley City Club – A charming and historic boutique hotel with classic architecture and vintage elegance. The staff is warm and welcoming, the atmosphere is peaceful, and the breakfast is great. A memorable stay!

We stayed just one night, but wished we could have stayed longer! Comfy bed, lovely room & bath, and scrumptious breakfast. Fantastic view of the bay, GG Bridge, and SF in the distance. Excellent to be able to walk to Cal Performances on campus. We also spent a lot to time admiring the beautiful architecture and decor of the building. The wonderful staff is so lucky to be able to enjoy it daily!

You get to stay in a landmark private club, an architectural landmark designed by Julia Morgan, who did Hearst Castle. Great service, a swimming pool fit for a Hearst. Some rooms on the upper floors, like mine, 404, have incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, even from the toilet! Parking, for a fee, available next door, right by the UC campus. Five stars.

Wonderful old historic place to stay. Walking distance to the university and to BART

Great location and proximity to campus

Fabulous historic property just steps from bars, restaurants, etc.

Beautiful property. 15 minute walk to Greek Theater.

A traditional and authentic experience that’s super convenient to UC Berkeley and surrounding areas. Clean and a great value and location.

Gorgeous building. Easy walkable neighborhood

A 1929 Julia Morgan Architect building in the hart of Berkeley, a hidden gem!

Historic building in a good location.

so wonderful hotel. we ate dinner at restaurant in hotel that was so nice also every morning should be great breakfast!!

Easy to walk to Greek Theater, Interesting history, good food! Beautiful indoor pool only available for lap swimming, no free swim. The bar doesn’t open till 4 pm & closes early. Expedia room gives you the one by the elevator.

Such a lovely and original hotel! If you like character over commercial, this is the place for you! Beautiful art deco features, a friendly staff, a lovely bar and gorgeous complimentary breakfast beyond the normal fare, and sweet rooms with just enough space for all! Will definitely be booking again for all my return trips to the area!

Charming, historic building, lovely staff, beautiful pool, clean, quiet, safe, friendly, helpful, nice breakfast, good restaurant.

The hotel is amazing! Historical and cultural! Loved it!! The night we stayed was a wedding and play , the Resturaunt was overwhelmed and unable to seat us , the bar was as overwhelmed,, There was a lot going on and we couldn’t view some of the areas The complimentary breakfast was very pleasant the next day and the hotel it was much quieter! I do recommend it, but maybe not on a Saturday night with a wedding and play going on!

A lovely place to stay. Amazing character in the building. The quiche at the Continental breakfast was amazing.

The Berkeley City Club is a hidden gem in Berkeley. We love the beautiful architecture, courtyard, restaurant and bar there. It feels like you are stepping back in time and it's such a beautiful property. The bathrooms in the rooms have older fixtures but work very well and there was plenty of hot water with good water pressure. Beds were comfy and the property was very quiet at night. One room had a large step up to the bathroom, so ask for a room without this if you are concerned about tripping in the middle of the night or need an ADA accessible room. Some rooms are smaller than newer hotel properties, but there is a very large closet and many rooms have beautiful views. There was no tv in the rooms we have had, which we didn't miss at all. Parking is free and right next door. We have not had any issues the two times we have stayed/parked there. The common areas are so unique and gorgeous. Go for a swim, sit in the courtyard, and enjoy the large, included breakfast with many options. We will definitely be back.

Believe the pictures. This is an architecturally interesting property, but it seems the owners are not investing in its upkeep. The rooms are not meant for business travelers - no desk, no proper chair to sit. The wifi in my room was not reliable. The furniture seems old but not in a stylish kind of way. Very clean linens on an old mattress. I was not welcomed by the desk clerk when I arrived. Instead the clerk told me they had cancelled my reservation because of my late arrival. I got the sense that the clerk felt they were doing me a favor to check in The towels were changed each day and the bed made, which I appreciated. And the linens were fresh. The breakfast feels rationed. They only serve a very limited menu for a short window. Don’t come before 7:00 AM and don’t come after 9:30 AM. There are few restaurants in the area.

Restuarant is awesome but last seating at 7.45 so come early

The hotel is old, but it has a bit of «ancient» atmosphere. No TV in the room I had but fine Wifi. Dinner restaurant not top notch. I had Turbot, and it was way to well done. Sent it out and got the same version once more. No discount. It is better to have the meals somewhere else, but the hotels is old and nice. Good location, near campus.