Name: Civic Center Lodge / Lake Merritt BART
Address: 50 6th Street, Chinatown, Oakland, California, United States of America, Oakland, Alameda County, US
Price range: $90–$131 per night
Rating: 7.86

What guests think

Reviews of Civic Center Lodge / Lake Merritt BART describe a budget, older motel near BART that balances convenience with tradeoffs: mixed service experiences, strict cash-only deposit policies, and a rough, sometimes noisy neighborhood.

Room comfort is basic and dated but some include a kitchenette, microwave, and fridge; noise levels vary by room. Cleanliness is inconsistent, with several clean stays noted alongside reports of stained linens or worn furnishings, though bathrooms are often acceptable. Within walking distance of Chinatown and Jack London Square, it suits budget travelers who can handle minimal frills and the cash deposit requirement.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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Facilities

Not enough information in reviews.

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2

Steven

Apr 24, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

You need $100 cash for a deposit. Who carries cash anymore? If you keep your car there past checkout, you will pay anything between $20-40 extra, depending on how they fee. And you won't get a receipt. Lost my keycard and that is a $10 fee. Location is close to BART, but the service is pretty horrible.

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Cleanliness

Inconsistent: some guests found very clean rooms and acceptable bathrooms, while others reported stained linens, dirty carpets, or worn towels.

Related guest reviews

6

Andrew

Aug 5, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Pros: convenient for mass transit. Clean and upgraded bathroom. No bugs. Cons: dirty carpet, thin pillows and towels. As a smoker I expect my rooms to be kind of shabby so I can’t judge much there, but the carpet is so dirty that I had to walk in my sandals or socks to avoid dirty feet and that’s always pretty gross. For the crappy neighborhood, it felt safe enough and was pretty quiet. I think if someone is okay with lower quality but nothing majorly negative then this place is fine but most people would probably want to pay more for a decent hotel.

4

Regina

Nov 25, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Front office has very rude man, who purposely gives you a hard time, like saying booking is not on file. Basically, you get what you pay for, a very old motel, clean property but junk encampment at the corner.

6

Walter

Jan 14, 2023

·

Stayed 19,368 nights

I didn't expect much from this property, but for $90 a night, I thought it would be in better condition. The door fit so poorly that it sounded like it was open. The freeway and nearby train are incredibly noisy. Bathroom was OK.

10

KIYOTAKA

Aug 14, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The price is reasonable. The room was very quiet. The shower is good condition.

8

Mary

Jun 25, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This motel is on the smaller side but the friendliness of the staff along with a clean room overshadows the size. A coffee maker and microwave were included. It's unfortunate that I couldn't take complete advantage. due to a family emergency I had the room for less than 6 hours.

4

Karla Rae

Sep 26, 2022

·

Stayed 3 nights

The carpet was extremely dirty, towels had stains on them, blankets have holes on them. The fridge wasn’t cooling properly, the location is very sketchy. Most importantly, it’s overpriced!!!

8

jon

Mar 4, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

This is a clean, well lit budget property. The room was very clean and the shower was hot. This is the kind of place where you need a clean place to sleep, don't need amenities, want to support a small business and don't get too upset about the run down areas of Oakland.

10

Murat Altun

Sep 17, 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

The receptionist is really helpful and nice person. The room is clean. Towels quantities may be increased. The area is not a good place I can say this. Too much noise coming from the street. Loud car listening loud music in the middle of night. People were screaming on the street.

6

Ruben

Sep 4, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was clean. Bedding was not all that great in terms of comfort. The big plus is that it is conveniently located near a BART station. Unfortunately there is a homeless encampment nearby.

4

Jacoby

Jun 8, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Extremely rude staff I was honestly astonished, kept trying to put me in a smoking room until I showed them i specifically requested non smoking, also required 100 cash deposit upfront. The room was digusting stains on every layer of the bedding and all over the floor as well as socks from someone previously there the bathroom was good though. I do not recommend.

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Rooms

Rooms are basic and dated, some with a kitchenette, microwave, and fridge; comfort is mixed and noise ranges from quiet to freeway or train audible depending on the room.

Related guest reviews

6

Andrew

Aug 5, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Pros: convenient for mass transit. Clean and upgraded bathroom. No bugs. Cons: dirty carpet, thin pillows and towels. As a smoker I expect my rooms to be kind of shabby so I can’t judge much there, but the carpet is so dirty that I had to walk in my sandals or socks to avoid dirty feet and that’s always pretty gross. For the crappy neighborhood, it felt safe enough and was pretty quiet. I think if someone is okay with lower quality but nothing majorly negative then this place is fine but most people would probably want to pay more for a decent hotel.

6

Walter

Jan 14, 2023

·

Stayed 19,368 nights

I didn't expect much from this property, but for $90 a night, I thought it would be in better condition. The door fit so poorly that it sounded like it was open. The freeway and nearby train are incredibly noisy. Bathroom was OK.

10

KIYOTAKA

Aug 14, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The price is reasonable. The room was very quiet. The shower is good condition.

8

Mary

Jun 25, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This motel is on the smaller side but the friendliness of the staff along with a clean room overshadows the size. A coffee maker and microwave were included. It's unfortunate that I couldn't take complete advantage. due to a family emergency I had the room for less than 6 hours.

8

Trudi

Nov 30, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice

10

Gerald

Jul 10, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I like the vintage vibe

6

Ruben

Sep 4, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was clean. Bedding was not all that great in terms of comfort. The big plus is that it is conveniently located near a BART station. Unfortunately there is a homeless encampment nearby.

8

Roy

Feb 12, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Fair price. Despite being next to the freeway, it was pretty quiet. Friendly staff. Area is not great, its Oakland after all.

8

Mike

Apr 24, 2023

·

There was loud night construction nearby but that isn’t the motel’s fault. It is also a very rough neighborhood but I knew that beforehand and don’t mind personally. The cable didn’t work except for one channel. That should be fixed.

8

Amanda

Aug 3, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was fine. Kitchenette, fridge with working freezer, and microwave were great. The one surprise was that the required a cash deposit and didn’t give a receipt for the cash.

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Service

Feedback is mixed, from friendly and helpful to rude or unprofessional; check-in frustration is repeatedly mentioned due to a required cash deposit and occasional lack of receipts.

Related guest reviews

10

CELESTINO

Sep 27, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

I’ve been staying here for years for work. Yes they require 100 cash deposit. Yes, they can be rude. Yes, the area isn’t the best. But they are good people, friendly most of the time

10

anthony

Dec 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great coustomer service

10

Charles

Jun 25, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

The staff are very nice and helpful, the location is two blocks from BART and within walking distance of Chinatown and the Jack London Square area. On Sundays, the Laney Flea Market is literally across the street, so that was neat too.

4

Regina

Nov 25, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Front office has very rude man, who purposely gives you a hard time, like saying booking is not on file. Basically, you get what you pay for, a very old motel, clean property but junk encampment at the corner.

2

Sharlana

Mar 8, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Cash only business. The front desk lady was unprofessional.

8

Mary

Jun 25, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This motel is on the smaller side but the friendliness of the staff along with a clean room overshadows the size. A coffee maker and microwave were included. It's unfortunate that I couldn't take complete advantage. due to a family emergency I had the room for less than 6 hours.

2

Jacie

Jun 17, 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

The lady at the desk wouldn't check me in without cash. No debit services and wanted me to walk a couple blocks to an atm to walk the cash back to her. It was unprofessional and not a quality place to be.

2

Steven

Apr 24, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

You need $100 cash for a deposit. Who carries cash anymore? If you keep your car there past checkout, you will pay anything between $20-40 extra, depending on how they fee. And you won't get a receipt. Lost my keycard and that is a $10 fee. Location is close to BART, but the service is pretty horrible.

8

Roy

Feb 12, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Fair price. Despite being next to the freeway, it was pretty quiet. Friendly staff. Area is not great, its Oakland after all.

4

Jacoby

Jun 8, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Extremely rude staff I was honestly astonished, kept trying to put me in a smoking room until I showed them i specifically requested non smoking, also required 100 cash deposit upfront. The room was digusting stains on every layer of the bedding and all over the floor as well as socks from someone previously there the bathroom was good though. I do not recommend.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Convenient to BART and within walking distance of Chinatown and Jack London Square, while several reviews note a rough area with homeless encampments and traffic or street noise near the freeway.

Related guest reviews

6

Andrew

Aug 5, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Pros: convenient for mass transit. Clean and upgraded bathroom. No bugs. Cons: dirty carpet, thin pillows and towels. As a smoker I expect my rooms to be kind of shabby so I can’t judge much there, but the carpet is so dirty that I had to walk in my sandals or socks to avoid dirty feet and that’s always pretty gross. For the crappy neighborhood, it felt safe enough and was pretty quiet. I think if someone is okay with lower quality but nothing majorly negative then this place is fine but most people would probably want to pay more for a decent hotel.

10

Charles

Jun 25, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

The staff are very nice and helpful, the location is two blocks from BART and within walking distance of Chinatown and the Jack London Square area. On Sundays, the Laney Flea Market is literally across the street, so that was neat too.

4

Regina

Nov 25, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Front office has very rude man, who purposely gives you a hard time, like saying booking is not on file. Basically, you get what you pay for, a very old motel, clean property but junk encampment at the corner.

6

Richard

Dec 28, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The property is nestled next to the freeway. Using the car to drive to this property is inconvenient both for the freeway and the local streets. The management will take a bank card to pay for the room, however will only except cash payment for the room deposit, which is stupid.

6

Walter

Jan 14, 2023

·

Stayed 19,368 nights

I didn't expect much from this property, but for $90 a night, I thought it would be in better condition. The door fit so poorly that it sounded like it was open. The freeway and nearby train are incredibly noisy. Bathroom was OK.

2

Steven

Apr 24, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

You need $100 cash for a deposit. Who carries cash anymore? If you keep your car there past checkout, you will pay anything between $20-40 extra, depending on how they fee. And you won't get a receipt. Lost my keycard and that is a $10 fee. Location is close to BART, but the service is pretty horrible.

10

Murat Altun

Sep 17, 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

The receptionist is really helpful and nice person. The room is clean. Towels quantities may be increased. The area is not a good place I can say this. Too much noise coming from the street. Loud car listening loud music in the middle of night. People were screaming on the street.

6

Ruben

Sep 4, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was clean. Bedding was not all that great in terms of comfort. The big plus is that it is conveniently located near a BART station. Unfortunately there is a homeless encampment nearby.

8

Roy

Feb 12, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Fair price. Despite being next to the freeway, it was pretty quiet. Friendly staff. Area is not great, its Oakland after all.

8

Mike

Apr 24, 2023

·

There was loud night construction nearby but that isn’t the motel’s fault. It is also a very rough neighborhood but I knew that beforehand and don’t mind personally. The cable didn’t work except for one channel. That should be fixed.

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Dining

Not enough information in reviews.

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Month	Average price
January	$79
February	$79
March	$79
April	$79
May	$79
June	$80
July	$79
August	$79
September	$81
October	$79
November	$80
December	$79

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15 $131	16 $90	17 $90	18 $90	19 $90
20 $90	21 $90	22 $90	23 $90	24 $90	25 $90	26 $90
27 $90	28 $90	29 $90	30 $90

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $90	2 $90	3 $90
4 $90	5 $90	6 $90	7 $90	8 $90	9 $90	10 $90
11 $90	12 $90	13 $90	14 $90	15 $90	16 $90	17 $90
18 $90	19 $90	20 $90	21 $90	22 $90	23 $90	24 $90
25 $90	26 $90	27 $90	28 $90	29 $90	30 $90	31 $90

Select dates to see prices and availability

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Smoking

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed

Deluxe Room, 2 Double Beds

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed

Guest reviews

Good

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

FAQs about Civic Center Lodge / Lake Merritt BART

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Prices for upcoming dates