Claremont Resort @ Berkerley

Been a long time since the last blog. Today, just catching up and finally have time to sit and do the Internet thing.

When we arrived at SFO on the 25th, I called the Claremont to confirm my reservation made via Expedia.ca; strangely enough, there was no reservation found within the Claremont Resort system. The front desk staff was so accommodating and helpful; even though we waited for about 30 minutes, we got our room! The view from the hotel out to the bay was spectacular! We overlooked the Oakland bridge, the Golden Gate bridge, the water.

When we walked into the room, I was surprised how small and old the room was. The TV cabinet made loud clinking noises everytime you walk passed in front of it. Finally, I had to open up the panels in order to make the annoying clinking noise to go away! The bathroom was small! I thought I was back in Hong Kong apartment. The towel rack, yikes, had about couple centimeters of dust!!!! This hotel was suppose to be a top rated resort and spa! A renounced place. When Audrey told everyone where we stayed, people just ooo... and ahhh..... Well, to tell u the truth, not worth a dim I spent! Here are my "evals":

1) "snooty" atmosphere as the British would say.
2) You pay for the name and the view on the deck and the restaurants; nothing special about the food; on a rating of 1 to 5, 5 being the best, a 3.
3) Services at restaurants (on site) crap! Crap, crap! We stood and stood and waited. We had to ask even when most workers just stood there and stared. In one restaurant, the hostess was fixing her button and didn't even bother looking up to say anything.
4) Everything was old; old; old; only a fresh coat of paint covering up the old wall, old chair, old everything.
5) you still need to pay US$24 per night for parking!
6) the spa, not flexible with time or courteous. Rush you thru like some fast food join.
7) Expensive; for the amount and the room environment, I could have stayed at some hotels like the Court Yard Marriott or the Double Trees for four days rather than 2 nights.