Claremont Resort & Club

Character and identity

A white castle-like landmark from 1915 set against the green Berkeley Hills, the Claremont reads as one of Northern California's grand dame hotels, with 276 rooms recently brought up to date in soft blues and greys. The architecture is the headline act: theatrical, whimsical, unmistakably of its era, with views stretching toward San Francisco Bay. Amenities sprawl across the grounds, including pools, a spa, multiple restaurants, and tennis courts. The crowd is a mix of Berkeley academics, visiting Nobel laureates, and families, and the register is more relaxed California resort than starched grand hotel.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The draw here is the setting: a 1915 castle on a hillside with resort grounds, priced sensibly for what you get in the Bay Area. Book it if you want space, pools, and Berkeley calm over San Francisco buzz, and request a bay-view room in the renovated stock. The tubs and refreshed bathrooms are worth the upgrade.