If you are visiting downtown Berkeley for business or pleasure, you might appreciate staying in a historic hotel. One with a storied past, but a forward thinking future. That hotel would be the Hotel Shattuck Plaza in downtown Berkeley, California. While UC Berkeley, founded in 1868, has a few years on Hotel Shattuck, the historic hotel opened downtown in 1910.
The hotel takes up a city block and is situated in an ideal location, steps from downtown Berkeley Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), within walking distance to University of California Berkeley and near the Oakland Airport. It’s a great place to stay for visiting parents, business meetings or a staycation in foodie central – Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto is no longer considered a politically correct term – but you get the idea. There are lots of places to eat nearby in downtown.
Hotel Shattuck Plaza room categories
There are four hotel room categories; double deluxe, deluxe king, business class and three suites at Hotel Shattuck Plaza. I was fortunate to land in the two-room Bay Suite on the fifth floor of the hotel. No two rooms are alike in this historic property, but they all offer complimentary wifi, flat screen hdtv’s, iron/ironing board, hair dryer, in room safe, ergonomic workstations, hypoallergenic pillows, Keurig coffeemakers and Lather bath amenities.
My suite included robes and slippers, offered turndown service (upon request) and included a sleeper sofa in the living room. It also included a partial view looking out to the San Francisco Bay.
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Pet-friendly Hotel
To my delight, all 199 hotel rooms are pet-friendly. There is a $75 fee to bring your four-legged friend to the hotel (that includes cats) but, alas, pets must be under 50 pounds. The pet program includes a food dish, dog bed and kennel or crate to borrow during your stay. Ten dollars of the pet fee is donated to the Berkeley Humane Society.
Mediterranean-inspired dining at Zino
The bar scene at Zino is a mix of locals and travelers. On my visit, the locals were seated at the bar, while hotel guests gathered in the lounge area underneath a gorgeous chandelier.
With Berkeley’s Mediterranean-style climate, Zino’s Mediterranean menu is a perfect blend of meat, seafood, appetizers and vino to balance out the meal. I tried the New York strip steak, while my husband chowed down on the perfectly cooked roasted halibut. Save room for the chocolate torte or butterscotch pudding, both excellent.
Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner are served at the restaurant, however, I only experienced dinner at Zino. Service was friendly and efficient.
The hotel offers package deals, including an AAA two night special that includes complimentary breakfast and a Bed & Breakfast package with a breakfast credit offered at Zino restaurant.
Bay Area Green Badge
It’s only fitting that Hotel Shattuck Plaza participates in the Bay Area Green Business Program; afterall, we are in Berkeley. Water and conservation measures are a daily part of the hotel’s operations. The hotel uses environmentally-preferable products and has a strong recycling program in place.
The hotel Shattuck Plaza offers newly renovated rooms in Berkeley. Parking is not available on property, however, there is an indoor parking garage across the street from the front entrance. Additionally, there is street parking available on Allston Way and the surrounding area. Hotel staff is very helpful at suggesting where to park and pointed out on my visit that Sunday parking was free.
Hotel room rates run between $225 – $300 for most rooms with suites running higher depending on time of year. Book reservations direct at Hotel Shattuck Plaza or try for a better rate through Hotels.com or other online booking sites.
Article and photos by San Francisco Bay Area Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown who was hosted one night at Hotel Shattuck Plaza while gathering materials for articles in Berkeley.
