Steve and Alice
August 14, 2004

Places to stay

We've tried to come up with a variety of different options, in all sorts of price ranges. All of the places listed are within a few miles of the reception site, and we've noted when they're within easy walking distance. (Some of the hotels are in Emeryville, which is very close to where we live, and is one town over from Berkeley.) The prices that we're quoting are for one room with two people and a queen bed on Friday and Saturday night. Some of the bed and breakfasts will only book their rooms for both nights, which is why we did it this way. Some further descriptions will be coming, but since people are starting to look for their accommodations, we wanted to get the (imperfect) list up. We've put our favorites at the beginning, and the rest are in alphabetical order. Happy sleeping!

Small and Sufficient

These places are between $120 and $140 for two nights. Our favorite is:

• Berkeley Campus Motel - $140; 510-841- 3844; 1619 University Ave. This is across the street from the Capri Motel, and shares its proximity to a good Thai restaurant - it's right in front of this motel.

• Berkeley Capri Motel - $130; 510-845-7090; 1512 University Ave. This is across the street from a good Thai restaurant, but is a longish walk or shortish bus ride to most other places of interest.

• Berkeley Travel Inn - $120; 510-848-3480; 1461 University Ave., Berkeley. This is somewhat long for walking distance to downtown, but it and all the other places in this section are on University Ave., which is right on the 51 bus line. Steve is all too familiar with this bus, and can tell you how to get almost anywhere on it.

• Marina Lodge Motel - $120; 510-841-7410; 975 University Ave. This is further down the hill University, which places it nearer to the fourth street shopping area. Otherwise, the 51 bus is the best way to travel most places.

Medium Priced

This is a large middle range, going from $160 to $260 for the two night/ two adult prices. Our favorites are the:

• French Hotel - $190; 510-548-9930; 1538 Shattuck Ave. This is a wonderful place, with a cafe below. However, it is rather minimal when it comes to amenities, and has rather small rooms. It is gorgeous, though, and very close to the event location.

• M's B and B - $250 and up; 510-654-0648; 262 Hillcrest Rd., Berkeley. This is a small place, and the woman who runs it is wonderful! It is responsible for Alice changing her opinion about bed and breakfasts, since the inside does not feel like potpourri come to life, but is elegant and has a wonderful personality. If the space had been larger, we would have held the whole celebration here.

• Bancroft Hotel - $240; 510-549-1000; 2680 Bancroft Way.

• Bates House - $190 and up; 510-893-3881 or (866)343-5874; 366 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. This place was also on the list as a possible location for our event. Although we didn't decide to go with it, we think that the place is really nice. The man who runs it is very helpful, and there is a lovely outside area. The interior decoration is a bit busier than the other B and Bs we visited, but it's still quite pleasant. This is the furthest away from us, though, (around 6 miles) and requires a bit of transferring amongst the buses if you're interested in public transportation.

• Belrose B and B - $220 and up; 510-845-7454; 2744 Belrose Ave.

• Brown Shingle B and B - $160 and up; 510-525-6416; 1514 La Loma Ave. We haven't visited this place, but it comes recommended from Mary of Mary's B and B and is within walking distance to the event location.

• Courtyard - Oakland Emeryville - $218; 510-652-8777; 5555 Shellmound St., Emeryville.

• Four Points Hotel by Sheraton - $198; 510-547-7888; 1603 Powell St., Emeryville. Harry (Alice's father) has stayed here in the past, and recommends it heartily. It's our favorite of the chain hotels.

• Garden Cottage - $240; 510-649-8938; 1822 Virginia, Berkeley. This looks like a lovely place, and it's VERY close to the celebration location.

• Holiday Inn - $258; 510-658-9300; 1800 Powell St., Emeryville. This place was running a promotional offer when we called, with rooms for $236.

• Holiday Inn Express, Berkeley - $278; 510-548-1700; 1175 University Ave., Berkeley. They have a AAA rate of $238.

• Hotel Shattuck Plaza - $178; 510-845-7300; 2086 Allston Way, Berkeley. At differing times, Alice, Steve and some of their family members have stayed here. Although the hotel has come under new management since then, and is now part of the Howard Johnsons chain, the buiding itself seems to be relatively unchanged. It is a lovely shade of pink on the outside, and has great old-fashioned fixtures and atmosphere.

• Mary's B and B - $220 and up; 510-848-1431; 47 Alvarado Rd.

• North Berkeley B and B Cottage - $260; 510-898-1145; Milvia St. between Cedar and Vine.

• Rose Garden Inn - $198 and up; 510-549-2145; 2740 Telegraph Ave. Wendy (Alice's mother) has stayed here in the past and recommends it heartily. It's got LOTS of roses, so be prepared for it to live up to its name in gardens and decor.

• Travelodge - $178; 510-843-4262; 1820 University Ave. Reports from assorted family members have said that this is a fine place to stay - close to downtown and with parking available.

For the luxurious

All of these prices are for the least expensive options - there are many options available at each of these places. We've never stayed at any of these locations, so don't have a favorite to point out.

• Claremont Resort and Spa - $298 and up; 510-843-3000; 41 Tunnel Rd. This is a large spa located on the border of Berkeley and Oakland, with lots of on site amenities. The building itself is pretty remarkable, as it is a gleaming white that catches your attention as you drive up towards it.

• DoubleTree by Hilton Berkeley Marina - $320; 510-548-7920; 200 Marina Blvd.

• Hotel Durant - $320; 510-845-8981; 2600 Durant Ave.

• Woodfin Suites - $378; 510-601-5880; 5800 Shellmound St., Emeryville.